The Photo Album #1 - Before It Happened (My Chemical Romance)

Frank Iero

I threw the comic books onto the floor and crashed on the couch. I buried my head in one of the cushions. It didn’t take me long to realize that I was suffocating myself. I threw the cushion away and took in deep breaths. I wasn’t thinking straight anymore. Those few minutes when I had been held at gunpoint…I think I’m going crazy. Before all that happened, I was so afraid of living, but back in that comic store, I think, I had been scared of dying. Dear God, I’m completely messed up and it’s frustrating. Now, there’s only one thing floating in my head. I went into the washroom and opened a cabinet on the wall.

            “Fuck,” I huffed. “Even the motherfucker who held a gun at my head wouldn’t want to kill me because I’m too worthless or some shit.” I took a bottle of antidepressants and popped them into my mouth. I shoved the bottle back into the cabinet and returned to the couch. I lay down and stared at the ceiling. My head instantly felt lighter, as if my problems and concerns were slowly drifting away. My eyelids got heavier and before I realized it, I was already asleep.

~~~

            I was in the living room all alone. The curtains drawn across the window allowed no light to enter. I could see figures moving outside…people. People were crowding outside the house for no reason. I took a few steps backward, stepping away from the window. I was probably hallucinating. I ran a hand through my hair and made my way towards the washroom. I splashed some water on my face and slapped myself. I looked up and was startled with what was in the mirror. I had no idea who that was. The person staring back wasn’t me. He had flaming red hair and his skin was a little tanned. But I did share something in common with the reflection – hazel eyes.

            I tilted my head sideways and the reflection did the same. That just startled me even more. I put both my hands on my cheeks. Strange, I felt normal. Just as I thought that it couldn’t get any weirder, it did. The washroom door opened and a man, whom was whistling, casually walked in. He stopped in his tracks as he saw me. He had the same hazel eyes, with paler skin compared to the reflection. His hair was white but he didn’t look old. I stared at him, not knowing what to say. Just then, the reflection reached out a hand and placed it on my shoulder. I jumped and turned to look at the redhead slowly climb out of the mirror. Yes – out of the mirror. The three of us stood in the washroom, looking at each other in disbelief. “Who are you?” I asked the two of them.

            “I know you, but who are you?” The white-haired man asked, pointing towards the redhead. The redhead raised both his hands up and gave us a wink. The white-haired man looked puzzled. Just then, the entrance door opened and someone curse. That person dropped something onto the ground with a large thump and…

            My eyes flew open. I saw Mikey standing there. I pulled myself into a sitting position and examined my surroundings. Nobody was outside and there was no one else here except for the two of us. It was just a dream. For a second there, I thought I was looking at…the future me. Wow. I shrugged to myself. “So, how did it go?” I asked.

            “I didn’t make the cut,” Mikey frowned, shoving his hands into his pockets. He seemed really disappointed about it. “Pencey Prep is a really nice band; I’m just not good enough.” He sighed. I bit my bottom lip. I really felt sorry for Mikes. “Anyway, they signed with Eyeball Records, and they invited me to a party tonight. I told them I’d bring a few people along…” He rocked back and forth on his feet.

            “Mikes,” I groaned. “You remember your graduation, don’t you? It wasn’t very pretty. I don’t know about this.”

            “Come on, Gee,” He pleaded, pushing his glasses up and widening his eyes. “Ray isn’t coming, but still, there are going to be other bands and other people there. It’ll be less painful. You know, it most probably won’t be painful at all. I mean, people in bands understand people like us more, don’t they?” I raised an eyebrow. I hesitated, but nodded. “Thanks, Gee. You’re awesome.” I lay down on the couch again, taking in deep breaths. Oh well, hopefully there’s nice people at this party.