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

Pizzeria

It’s been two weeks since summer started. Mikey and I haven’t been going out at all. We didn’t go to the bar, Ray didn’t drop by and we certainly hadn’t seen Frank since the party at Eyeball Records. Actually, neither of us was allowed to leave the house. From what my mom told us, there was a dead body found in an abandoned house. Ray called Mikey just a couple of days ago. He told Mikes that there were two dead bodies – I repeat, TWO dead bodies – found in the West Hudson Lake, just round the corner of his house. Belleville is a scary place to live in, and people could walk down the streets singing “we’re hanging out with corpses”. But despite all that, it’s still our home.

            Hey, wait… ‘We’re hanging out with corpses’… That sounds like a pretty good line to use in a song. “Hey Mikey,” I asked him. We were sitting in the living room, reading comics that we’ve read before. He tore his eyes away from his comic. “Do you think we should form…a band?” He hesitated. It seemed like he found that idea completely crazy. He slowly put down his comic, revealing a very puzzled face. “Uh…” Well, right now, I was working on some weird ass comic called ‘The Breakfast Monkey’. I had no idea why, all of a sudden I was drawing this monkey and some creepy Spanish wrestler. I think I’d fail in comics. I mean, who the hell actually draws a monkey and a wrestler? I think I’ll settle on giving up art.

            “I think that sounds cool,” He nodded, approving my idea. I heaved a sigh of relief and leaned against the wall. “So, what are we going to call it?” I rolled my eyes. He understood what I meant by that: I was going to ask you about that. Mikey was an expert at coming up with band names. Sure, they may sound freaky and weird but they’re cool. “Fine, I’ve got a band name in mind right now, but I doubt you’ll like it.” I straightened myself and shuffled closer to him, eager to hear more. “Raygun Jones,” He muttered.

            “That sounds awesome, Mikey!” I clapped my hands. He just stared at me in awe. “Okay, so you’re going to be the bassist –”

            “– And you’ll be the vocalist.” He cleared his throat, grinning at me. “It’s not a band without a vocalist, or at least two members. Come on, Gee. This will be our band, just the two of us. I don’t care if you’ve turned your back on singing, because I haven’t forgotten that hidden talent of yours. And face it; at least you’re not wearing those green tights grandma made you to go on stage or something.”

            “Fine,” I huffed, smiling at his last sentence. “You know what, Mikes? You’re really…I don’t know…”

            “I’m really spiritual and deep?” He smirked. “I know. I get that a lot.”

            “Don’t flatter yourself.” I sneered, closing my comic book and putting it on top of the pile. “Your birthday’s coming up, Mikes, we should do something.” I pressed my lips together. I was so scared that I might give the surprise away. “You could invite Ray and Matt over for the day. I’ll try hunting down Frank if I can.” I looked out the window. “Do you think it’s possible if I just sneak out like this? Do you think I’ll get killed?”

            Mikey glared at me. “You almost got shot in the head, for fuck’s sake!”

            “I think I’ll survive this time, I won’t be out long. Anyway, you told me that Pencey Prep already found a new bassist. His name’s John McGuire, right?” I asked, getting to my feet. Mikey nodded. “That obviously means that they’ll be at Eyeball Records trying to write an album. So, all I have to do is drive there and I’ll find Frank! See? That’s easy as shit.” I twirled the car keys on my finger.

            “Well, then, I’m going to call Shaun and go to a pizzeria or something,” Mikey called out as I walked out of the house. I stopped in my tracks, turning to look at him in confusion. “He’s a friend of Ray. And to be honest, I feel kind of guilty for practically ignoring him when I met Ray. I’ll make it up to him. I think I’ll take him for lunch.” I nodded and continued walking. “Hey Gerard,” He shouted again. “Come back in one piece, okay?”