The Dainessetchen Barnacle Tales

Season 2 Episode 2

Gretchen's Point of View

I cannot tell you how much was happening at that dinner table. Everyone wanted to talk at once, and then Jesse had the not so brilliant idea that we take turns talking, oldest to youngest. I would have to wait for Gerard and Jesse before I got to talk about how amazing cats were.

"May I just say...?" Gerard swallowed his food before continuing. "...Jesse and Lainey are going to have to live here forever because you two are superb cooks! And you!" Gerard jabbed a finger at Dylan. "You absolutely need to show everyone the song you wrote. What did you call it again?"

"I called it 'Welcome to the Black Parade.'" Dylan quickly shoved more lasagna into his mouth, like he didn't want to continue talking about his music. But I was interested. Probably more than anyone else at the table...wait, what?

"Yeah, ok, my turn!" Jesse butted in. "So I was thinking maybe tonight we could like...do something!"

"Brilliant idea, Jesse!" I chimed in, trying to sound enthusiastic. "Now what are you suggesting?"

"We could...ya know...we could...um..."

"Go busking!" I added. Everyone looked at each other and started nodding and talking until Lainey shook her head.

"Oh, come on," Jesse said. "Don't be such a killjoy!" (You're welcome, guys.)

"I don't usually sing in front of anyone else," Lainey said gently.

"Well, you don't have to," I pointed out. "You can just hold a cup...or something..."

"Yeah, ok," Lainey smiled. BUT WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO PERFORM!?

"We need a song list," Gerard decided. "I can go make one now and we can get out of here in half an hour?" Everyone agreed and we took our plates and put them in the sink, racing to be the first in one of the bathrooms.

I stayed in mine and was alone until there was a quiet knock on the door. It was slightly ajar and I continued to focus on my mascara as I yelled "Come in!" Someone slowly opened the door and peeked in. I recognized it as Dylan. I turned around and kind of stood there awkwardly.

"I hope I'm not inconveniencing you," he stuttered. I grinned.

"No...you just haven't talked to me much since you got here."

"Sorry. I'm a little shy."

"I noticed," I said as I turned back to my mascara. "Did you need something?"

"I just needed to freshen up and Gerard is locking everyone out of his room saying that he wants to surprise everyone with his list." I rolled my eyes.

"Of course he did." I sprayed some perfume on and I tried to aim it away from Dylan, who had joined me at my sink. He combed his hair and put some gel in it. He looked at me.

"What?" he asked. I figured I must have been staring at him.

"Nothing...can you pass me my lip gloss?"

"Yeah, here...That's a nice color."

"Thanks."

It was awkward as Dylan watched me put my deep red lip gloss on. I pretended not to notice he was staring at me.

"You ready?" I asked. Dylan nodded and gulped. I left the bathroom with him behind me.

I whispered "I love you" to Peter before closing my door behind me.

Jesse's Point of View

I was so glad I had remembered my guitar. My guitar is my baby. I wouldn't have survived without it.