I'm Not Okay (I Promise) | My Chemical Romance

One

Gerard Way was bored.

This was not unusual: it was a dreary, grey Monday morning and he was slumped at the back of an English Lit. class, only just paying attention. Mondays were always awful, he had decided, and today was no exception.

Was he bitter because he'd woken up late and had been unable to get coffee? Probably.

At the front of the classroom, Mr. Jackson droned on about the importance of analytical thinking in literature, but his lecturing was going unnoticed, apart from one or two students who could actually be bothered to swot up and take notes. These were the kids who would be knocked down, their work torn and ruined by bullies and delinquents. Every other kid in the class were certainly not paying attention, some staring ahead at nothing in particular, others asleep, drooling on their desk.

Monday morning English Literature class was a jumbled assortment of zombies.

That was, until a sharp knock-knocking sound filtered though the classroom from the door.

Gerard raised an eyebrow with slight interest as Principle Fitzgerald entered, followed by a boy with short, messy hair, half shaved and half dyed white.

New meat.

This certainly set the zombies off.

The boy was small and skinny, looking slightly awkward in an oversized blazer, his tie hanging a little loose. He had wide, brown eyes that blinked as they scanned the classroom.

"Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Jackson," Fitzgerald said, smiling. "Good morning students, I trust you're all having a good start to the week?"

His question was met with silence, which he didn't take note of.

"Anyway, is like to introduce you to Frank Iero - a new student here. I trust you'll all make him feel welcome. Now, Mr. Iero," he continued, turning to the boy. "Your timetable most closely resembles Mr. Way's, there are only one or two minor differences in them, so I think it would be wise for you to sit close to him."

Seeing Fitzgerald walking over with the new kid, Gerard rubbed his eyes and sat up straight. It was probably a mistake to charge him with the care of this new kid, but he'd have to do his best.

The moment Fitzgerald left, the whole class had turned to look at the new kid, taking in his wild hair, his piercings, everything. It wouldn't be long before they'd test him, to determine where he'd fit in the social ranking.

Unfortunately, Fitzgerald had made his chances of being popular distinctly low, by choosing Gerard to be the new kid's advisor and guide.

And Gerard pitied him.

~

The bell rang, a sharp clanging that woke the students up and signalled for them to run to their lockers and cliques. The only person who did not wake up when the bell rang was Chuck Harris, but no one was going to disturb him, not if they wanted to stay alive and in one piece.

When the echoing of the bell sounded, Gerard was on the balls of his feet quick, striding out the room while pulling the strap of his bag into his shoulder. Frank, the new kid, hurried helplessly after him, a mess of sheets and books and worry.

Watching from Frank's locker, Gerard was surprised when Frank found him without much difficulty.

"Um," the new kid said.

"No, shut it," Gerard interrupted. "Right: this is your locker. All the locks are meant to be the same, but I'd advise changing it to something random and secret. We're not supposed to change them but trust me, it's safer if you do. Here's how..." Gerard stopped, showing Frank how to change the lock code. "This is where you keep unneeded books and other shit, food, maybe a spare tie or two." He paused as Frank started sorting through his books, placing certain ones in the locker. "Any personal or important items need to be kept close to your person. Keys, money, anything important you need to keep in the zipped inside pockets of your blazer. Any questions?"

"Uh, yeah," the new kid started. "What's your name?"

"Gerard Way," cane the answer, followed by the last lines of advice: "don't accept food or drugs off anyone, don't trust the girls with heels or ponytails, don't go in the bathrooms alone and finally, don't make the mistake of being seen with me."

That would surely increase the poor kids chances of survival, Gerard decided as he spun on his heel and marched away. Peering out of the dirt-ebbed window he could see a glimpse of the milky white sky, still drab, as usual. A few pale grey clouds drifted across it, but it was a dry day. And didn't he have French next?

So, Gerard decided to skive French class, choosing instead to sit in the morbid school ground. Besides, fresh air was good for you, wasn't it?

~

He awoke to the ringing bell, signalling lunch. Never a part of the day Gerard particularly enjoyed.

Benches and tables were already beginning to fill, so Gerard told his usual spot on the grass, distancing himself from the other kids. A little way away he could spot his brother, Mikey, leaning against a tree, and his friend Bob, perched on a bench.

And then he spotted Frank, small and confused, fumbling his way through the mass of students. He didn't sit at a table either - he took the step, just a little bit ahead if Gerard.

And then it started.

"Look," someone whispered. "The new kid."

"What's his name?"

"Frank, I think."

"What a loser."

"Loner."

"Faggot!"

"Dumbass!"

"Loser!

"Loner!

"Faggot!"

"Dumbass!"

Gerard watched as a few students threw rubbish at Frank. He felt sorry for the poor kid. It seemed even backing off hadn't helped his case. When a milk carton knocked Frank's drink over, spilling over his sandwich, Frank turned his head, about to get up, and spotted Gerard behind him, watching him.

Gerard shook his head, trying to say you don't deserve this, these guys are assholes, despite the fact Frank couldn't hear him. But the new kid seemed to understand, and after a moment of silence, got up and left.