The Emo School (A Fanfic)

Chapter 13

Cassie

Mikey pulls up in front of my house.
"It looks a little run-down and it's not much, I know, I'm sorry." I say, ashamed.
"Cassie, look at me."
I do.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. You have zero control over this. So don't apologize, Cass. Just don't." he says sternly. "Now let's get some of your stuff loaded up so you'll feel more at home, alright?"
"Question, do I get to see my family?"
"Of course you do! You get to do whatever you want on the weekend! If it's legal, you can do it!" he replies as I dig out my house keys and lead him inside.
"Hi, sweetie, how was school?" my mom asked.
She's home?
"It was good, fantastic!"
"You sure seem happy today." Her expression turns stern. "Would that be because you skipped four classes? And who is this that you're bringing into the house?"
"About that, ma'am, we have something we need to talk about regarding Cassie's education." Mikey says. "Pleased to meet you, by the way. I'm Mikey. Mikey Way."
"What's going on?" Mom looks mad. Uh oh.
"You see, we've been keeping track of students who don't quite seem to fit in. Your daughter is one of those students. We have seen everything from name-calling to bloody, brutal beatings. Today, for example, the principal of the local high school punched her in the nose, breaking it. Fortunately, our doctor fixed it without any problem-"
"Cassie, what have I told you about doctors? You know I can't afford it..." my mom sighs.
"No, no, no, it's completely free of charge."
"What is this?"
"In short? Your daughter's transferring schools."
"What? Don't you need my consent first?"
"I brought the paperwork, if you'll just sign here... the good thing about this is it costs absolutely nothing. Students stay at the school in our dorms, we feed them fantastic meals that are not only healthy but taste delicious, and we have a certified doctor right at our school who can take care of our students and ensure their health and proper treatment of illness or injury, plus every teacher at our school knows at least basic first-aid, some know even more. Like our science teacher, history teacher, and our secretary are a couple of the registered nurses we keep around. None of this costs anything. Not even medical procedures that could be thousands of dollars at a regular hospital. Everything is taken care of at school, all surgeries, anything like that. As long as it's with us, it won't cost you anything. But, if you're willing to donate, anything and everything helps."
"Will I get to see Cassie?" my mom sniffles.
"Our students are free to do whatever they want and go wherever they want to go on the weekends. Plus, you can visit her at school anytime. We'll bring her down, no matter what time of day."
My mom takes out a pen and signs.
"I suppose. She'll get a better life and education there. You seem trustworthy enough."
"I am the counselor, it's not too hard to trust me."
"Just take care of her, okay?"
"Of course! Alright, I'll help her get her stuff. Come on, Cassie, show me your room."
I lead him upstairs to my room. Red and black walls, covered in band posters and sketches I've done. The room's littered with papers, pages of various fanfictions and stories. It actually managed to form a trail to my desk, which, on top of that, sat my computer, a used MacBook white from early 2009.
Lined up against one wall were my instruments. A red Mexican Fender strat with a black pickguard, a sunburst Fender acoustic, a reddish cello, Mikey Way's signature Fender bass guitar, a 3/4 size upright bass, a violin, and a weighted keyboard. Not to mention the guitar amp and the bass amp.
And then there's the queen bed. Only reason I have that is when dad left, mom didn't want it, so I got it. And there's a flatscreen smart TV.
Don't ask me how I got all this stuff. It was mostly just charity acts of people in town.
"Talented much?" Mikey asks, raising an eyebrow.
"I wouldn't go so far to say that." I reply.
"Don't be afraid to talk positively about yourself."
"So how much of this can we fit in my room?"
"All of it, easily. Your room's bigger than this one."
"I'm guessing I'll have to leave the furniture."
"No, we'll have it all picked up this evening! And it'll get moved in and all!"
I begin pulling drawings off the wall and carefully putting them in a portfolio. Mikey helps me in the came careful manner, making sure he doesn't tear them. He hesitates with every one, looking them over before putting them in the portfolio. He stops with one in particular, a sketch of MCR in the Welcome to the Black Parade video.
"Can I hang onto this one for a little bit? I'll give it back, it looks like you put some serious time into this one. I just know someone who'd really appreciate your work and I'd like to show it to him. This is fantastic work, Cassie, you're more talented than you seem to realize."
"Thanks..." I say, my face glowing red. "And sure, go ahead."
"Consider yourself in the higher-level class. This'll be enough to show that you need to be there."
"Wait, there are levels?"
"Well, of course! Otherwise, there would only be a handful of students that actually learn anything."
"Wow, this is the greatest school in the history of schools!"
"I know, Cassie, we knew it'd be a good fit for you." he replies, pulling the last drawing off the wall and putting it in the portfolio.
"Thanks for the help." I say, pulling out my cello case and beginning to pack that up.
"No problem. I'll go put these in the car." he replies, taking the portfolio from me.
I begin packing my guitars in their cases, as well as my violin and my upright bass. The bass will have to be picked up with the furniture, but everything else can go.
I begin packing everything else, starting with my computer. I pack the contents of my desk away, then move on to the dresser.
Suddenly, I feel something cold against my neck. I jump and spin to see what it is and find Mikey laughing and holding a mocha frappe out to me.
"You shoulda seen your face, it was priceless!"
"Well, this is a side of you I haven't seen yet!" I reply, taking the frappe, sipping it and finishing my dresser.
Fast forward about an hour, and I had finished packing. Mikey had taken everything that wasn't furniture out to the car, and we were now downstairs, saying our goodbyes. My mom's in tears, and I admit I'm shedding a few myself.
Okay, fine. I'm a crying mess. I don't know why, it's not the last time I'll ever see her.
Finally, I step back, still sobbing.
"I suppose we should go..." I manage between sobs.
"If you need more time, you can have it. Take as much time as you need." Mikey says softly, massaging my neck and shoulders, trying to soothe me.
"No, the longer I stay, the harder it'll get to leave."
"Alright, let's go, then. It's okay." Mikey says, leading me to the door.
"Bye, mom."
"Bye, Cassie. Have fun, sweetie."
And Mikey led me out to the car, still a crying mess.
The moment his door shut (because, being the gentleman he is, he helped me into my seat), he pulled me into a hug.
"Being a teenager sucks, hon. I know. Hormones and stuff take over, and you've dealt with a lot in life. It's okay, I completely understand. It's my job to. And I wouldn't have it any other way." he murmurs.
"I'm sorry, I've been such an emotional burden today-"
"Shh. Don't apologize. You're such a lovely person, Cass. And frankly, today's been a rollercoaster of emotions for you. I completely understand. If you ever need to talk, I'm here for you, Cassie."
After a little while, I stop crying.
"Oh, and by the way?" Mikey says. "Patrick's got some anxiety meds for you, and he also told me about the weight thing. If you need help with self-image or something, let me know so I can help you see yourself for how beautiful you really are."
"Why are you so nice to me?" I ask as he starts the car.
"Because I see you for just how fantastic you really are, Cassie. Not just because it's my job."
With that, we take off down the road toward Emo School.