If I Come Home. (frerard, DAISIES pt2)

Chapter 1.

A white daisy, pure and innocent; cleansing. 

Everything in Frank's life seemed worry-less. 

For once, he felt genuinely happy. Things seemed to be fitting into place. He had awesome friends, college, and his first apartment to look forward to. And oh yeah, today, he was graduating. Last time we checked in with Frank Iero, he was a sophomore in high school and his entire life was flipping over and over again. He was stuck in a draining and toxic friendship, one that only had room for that friendship in his life. One that made him feel like a horrible person. He had been used, and cheated. Sophomore year was the year Frank's life as he knew it fell apart, all because of one older boy. But he knew better now, he really did. Nothing like that was going to happen again. 

Now, he had friends that supported him and loved him... one more than others, but we'll get into that later. He was getting his first apartment, one witch he would be sharing with a few of his friends, Chris and Chris's friend Ryan. He was starting college at the local school, he planned on working towards a degree in sound engineering and hopped one day he would be able to work in live music. He had figured out what he wanted in life. And he knew one thing he didn't want, and that was a sloby greasy coffee drinking cheating boyfriend.

Not that he would have one, anyways. Vic was nothing like that, Vic was small and cute and smiled all the time and always picks up after himself. It didn't matter, he didn't need to dwell on it. Frank Iero had not spoken to a person owning the last name 'Way' in almost three years now. And today, he was going to graduate. Today, was the first day of the rest of his life.

"Frank, Frank Iero." A voice startled him from his thoughts, and he was plunged out of his own mind. He sat at a cold lunch table, lounging about with about fifty other kids in the stuffy cafetiera; all clad in black graduation gowns. He looked up, realizing it was his turn. Standing up, Frank sucked in a far to warm breath of air. His mother's hand pushed on the small of his back immediately, rushing him over to the photographers booth. "Pictures need to be done soon, it's almost time to walk the stage!" She grumbled, hurrying her son forward.

"I know I know," Frank whined, adjusting the graduation cap sat on his head before standing as perfect as he could muster in front of the white back drop, waiting patiently for the photographer to snap as many pictures as he needed.

Frank certainly looked a tad different now. His hair was longer now, long enough to hang down and brush the tip of his nose, but shaved neatly on the sides. He had pierced his lip, something that had resulted in a long and dramatic fight with his parents. And a month of grounding. He was much taller now, between the ages of fifteen and eight teen he had had a bit of a growth spurt. Instead of a short and pudgy sophomore, he was a tall and too skinny senior.

As Frank walked away from the back drop, allowing the next kid to walk up, his mother threw her arms around him. He almost stepped away in surprise, but ended up accepting the hug. "Your all grown up now, I don't know what to do with myself." She said, pulling away with a smile. As if you ever did anything when I wasn't grown. He couldn't help the bitter thought.

Now was not the time to be bitter, now was the time to be done with high school once and for all.

__________________________________

The ceremony so far had gone just as planned, and now Frank sat prim and proper in a cold metal folding chair upon the graduation stage. Eventually, it was his turn to stand. Everything seemed to move so fast, he didn't even have time to process anything. Soon, he was walking towards the stern looking principal handing diplomas and shaking hands.

"Frank Iero." His name was spoke, and suddenly, there he was in the spotlight. One hand shaking the principals, and one hand on his diploma both paused for a photo just like every time. In this split second, Frank's eyes searched the crowd. Had his dad shown up after all? His hazel eyes searched hopefully, but instead of joy at seeing his father pure panic flooded his veins as they rested on a familiar pale face, long black hair framing it.

Frank looked away, moving forward to walk off the stage and when he searched again Gerard was gone.

He got out of their as quick as he could. He made the excuse to his mother that he wasn't feeling well, and that he was going to go clean up at the house and then meet her at the after party she had planned. Frank had already taken his gown and hat off, turned it back into the school staff. He fast walked down the main hallway, now deserted as everyone was in the gym celebrating the graduation. Turning down the hall, Frank made his way to one of the smaller side exits, no one ever used it.

Bursting out of the door he was met with the warm June air, the sky was already turning purple. He was on the far left side of campus now, the area with all of the drama and art buildings. No one ever came over here, not really. He paused for a second, staring up at the sky. Why had he come back, more so, why did he come to the graduation? Last Frank had heard Gerard had moved to the state over for college. He leaned over, hands on his knees as he steadied his breathing.

He didn't know why he was panicking, but he did know if he didn't calm down he would have a panic attack.

"You look like you need a hit more than I do." A quiet voice cut through the thick silence, nearly frightening Frank straight back into his panic. Looking up, his head turned to the left before right, seeing an all to familiar form sitting on a bench, leaning up against the building. A hand packed cigarette held between his fingers, surely not just tobacco rolled up in the thin paper.

"Jesus Christ." Were the only words that fell out of Franks mouth in his shock, a hand reaching up to hold onto the cross he wore around his neck as his eyes landed on Gerard Way, once again. "Fuck." He cursed, looking up towards the sky again to avoid looking at him. So much for trying to avoid him.

"Rude." Gerard stated, bringing the cigarette back to his lips.

This time, instead of panic, he could feel anger bubbling up. "Rude, for?" He snapped, holding his head up high. Frank had a different kind of confidence now.

A flash of shock passed his features, but his usual calm and collected look was quickly back to Gerard's face. "You didn't acknowledge my offer."

"No, I don't want your stupid fucking weed because i'm not a worthless fucking stoner doing nothing with my life like some people." He snapped, crossing his arms as he spoke before turning around, walking right back into the building and leaving Gerard with his jaw damn near to the floor.