Ghost In The Snow

Chapter 33: The creation on Halloween

One day in the start of October, where Frank didn't come to school, we sat under the tree as always. "What are we gonna do for Frank's birthday?", Gerard asked, looking at us. "When is his birthday?", I asked. I feel like I should know that. "Halloween", Mikey simply answered. Ray sighed, "I really don't have an idea."

"How about a Halloween party?", Mikey suggested. "Isn't that too obvious?", Ray asked. Mikey shrugged, "maybe." "We could do it as a surprise party?", I suggested in a careful voice. They all nodded, thinking about it. "Okay then", Gerard smiled and squeezed my hand under the table.

I don't know why we always sit under this damn tree. It's close to the fence, which separates the school's property and the pavement and road. Maybe it was Frank's idea. So he could pretend he wasn't actually at school. Being home wasn't better for him, so I really don't know why he would choose to sit here.

But it was a nice place, you had a good view over the school and the colorful sports place. Yet you were quite far away from everybody else. And the tree was pretty beautiful, it had a calming effect on us, I think. The green leaves, changing to yellow, then brown, falling off, and in the springtime the green leaves would come again. I'm excited for spring. It was a place for beautiful thinking, here under the tree.

-

It was the last day of October, a Sunday with clear weather. Gerard had told Frank that they wanted to practise again, because of an upcoming important thing. And that wasn't a lie, Ray had some connections with someone, who had arranged some kind of concert for small bands. Gerard hadn't told me a lot, so I didn't know if they were going or not. He seemed to be quite scared.

Gerard and Mikey were busy decorating the garage, where we would celebrate Frank's birthday. Donna and I were making some food, vegan sandwiches and chocolate cupcakes. Simple, but it'd be better than what he could mix together at home.

Frank's mom probably didn't even remember his birthday.

Our group was like Frank's family. Once again we took care of him. It was the smallest thing we could do, because he always cheered us up and protected us. It was only fair.

Ray came over with his acoustic guitar and a big guy with a lip piercing, blonde-ginger-ish fringe and icy blue eyes. He didn't look too happy. Maybe he had a resting bitch face. He was carrying a sports bag. They walked over to me, Donna was gone for a minute. "This is Bob!", Ray cheered and smiled at the frowning guy. "Uhm, hello, I'm Tess." I tried to smile, but something inside me felt abnormal, like something wasn't right. "Hi", Bob said, "why are you here?" "I-I'm eh.." I stared at Ray, searching for help. "She's Gerard's girlfriend", he said and patted Bob's shoulder. "Oh", Bob exclaimed and chuckled. "I thought Frank and Gerard had something going on." Ray rubbed his hands nervously. Bob laughed and adjusted his hair. Ray kept eye contact with me. He looked like he had been lying to me for so long, and I can't imagine how confused I must've looked. "It was just a joke", Ray assured me and smiled a bit too much.

I nodded, telling myself it was just a joke. Of course it was, seriously, Frank and Gerard are just friends. I know that, I saw it at the hospital, where Gerard screamed 'you're my best fucking friend'. That moment still raged inside my head sometimes.

Mikey had turned the lights off some time ago, and we had just been sitting in the dark. We heard the front door open. We sat in the dark garage, surrounded by Halloween decorations and gifts. I could hear his light steps coming through the kitchen. Suddenly the light turned on, and in the same second, Frank's face lit up in a big smile. Gerard and Ray started singing happy birthday, Mikey played on Ray's acoustic guitar.

"Oh my god guys!", he exclaimed and placed his white Les Paul guitar, better known as Pansy, on the floor. He looked around at the fake skulls, the pumpkin, and the black bats made out of paper, fascinated and couldn't stop smiling. His face was one big smile, his lips thin, eyes big, cheeks round.