Ghost In The Snow

Chapter 19: Hot and cold

Why was their music so good? I sat on the stairs, observing them performing for nobody else than me. I wondered how they did it. I mean, guitars and stuff... It looks so simple, but I'm sure it isn't. Yeah, there were some small faults here and there but nothing serious.

Gerard's voice was raw, hypnotizing and comforting, yet so powerful. He had such a talent, and he could go far in the music industry. I could feel it. At the same time he was amazing at getting the ideas, and well, he's also a fantastic person. Cares for everybody, wants to do his best.

But the music wasn't just Gerard's voice. It was also Frank's and Ray's. They had a way to go, but they were doing well so far. Frank's voice was hoarse, full of emotion, and a bit deep, but still piercing at some points. Ray's more comforting and simple, so relaxed like a fluid.

And we shouldn't forget the actual music. Ray and Frank on their guitars and Mikey with his bass. Ray played the most stuff, very concentrated on his work.

Frank on the other hand... Since he didn't have many chords to play, he had more time to dance around on the spot. Throwing his head around, so his hair flew around and ended over his eyes, jumping on the spot, playing the guitar from weird angles... Damn, if he had a whole scene to move around on, I'm sure he would run around and probably do backflips as well.

Mikey stood still and concentrated on his chords. He was pretty important. Since they didn't have a drummer anymore (since when I apparently moved into Bob's old house) the bass was their deep undertone, their beat. Anyway, Mikey didn't move a lot. Sometimes he would walk up to Gerard, and they would look each other in the eyes while singing and strumming. I guess that's a thing siblings do.

Again, I was almost in a trance from the music. It was so good. I woke up when Frank ran over to me and looked at me. He looked like a little child, so excited and happy. He smiled and giggled, when he asked if their music was okay. "Dude, it's not okay", I said and tried not to smile. I waited right until I saw his face fade into a sad frown.

"It's amazing!" I stood up and patted him on the shoulder. He smiled even more now. I didn't know if I should be happy or sad. Frank was happy, and so should I be. But I could still see pain in his eyes, hidden by the happiness he was experiencing right now.

Gerard smiled in a relieved way, proud of his singing and that I thought, it was great. Mikey and Ray came closer, also smiling, but they both looked a bit tired.

"What about some movies?", Frank asked and pressed his lips together. He was so close to laughing, even though there was nothing to laugh at.

"Only one", Ray sighed and grabbed his face. He looked so damn tired and worn out. "Awww", Frank whined in a high pitched tone and sounded like a kid, who didn't get what he wanted. "Well, I'm going home before midnight", Ray answered in a harsh tone and then shaking his head. We all looked at him in a concerned way. He noticed and promised, he was fine, just a bit tired.

We went down into Gerard's room, and Frank ran directly over to the DVDs. Before we had time to sit down, Frank had already found a movie. Of course it was a horror movie. Sometimes I wonder, if he ever has seen anything else than horror. I don't think so.

I sat down on Gerard's bed, since Frank had decided to fill up two spaces on the couch by lying down. Mikey took the third place, looked quite uncomfortable with having Frank's feet on his thighs. Ray sat in the armchair for himself.

Was Ray okay? I mean, he said, he was fine, but so did Frank the other day, before he went berserk and yelled at us. Never trust the word 'fine'. I don't really know why Ray wouldn't be okay. Well, he had the responsibility of Frank at the moment, and he worked hard on getting good grades. Maybe he was stressed? But how could I even help him with being less stressed?