Fever Dream || Frank Iero

.2.

The first stop after picking Jessica and I up was a mere two hours away, but it was still a long enough drive for me. I had never been road tripping much, and I could tell it was something I would have to get used to. I met the rest of the boys in the band in the process. They were quite nice- nothing like Pete. Patrick was shy, but happy and inviting. Joe and Andy followed suit, though a bit more outgoing and silly, like teenage boys. I kept to myself most of the way there, occasionally chatting with one of the boys about life back home or what being in a band was like. Pete and Jessica found their way to the back to do whatever it is they really do- I never wanted to know.

The farther we drove away from my loft, the more I began to regret agreeing to this. A whole summer I could have had, peaceful, to myself- Nothing but photographing, writing, sketching, painting and renovating. That's all I needed- But instead I am throwing myself headfirst into a sweaty sausage fest, miles away from home; full of people I don't even know. School told us about this kind of shit, right? Not getting into a van full of strangers? Or in my case, an entire tour full of strangers?

I sat quietly next to the window, trying to focus on individual lampposts as they passed quickly, like I used to when I was a kid. Feeling the weight of the seat shift, startled, I looked over to see Jessica sitting next to me smiling. Her hair was a bit disheveled but she didn't seem to care much.

"Jeeze, Jess. You guys breaking for half time or something?" I looked at her heart shaped lips and back up to her blue eyes.

"Oh shush. You knew the fee-" She stopped herself when she saw me scoff and turn away. "I'm sorry, Mel. Forget about that. Patrick seems to like you, huh? He was blushing the whole time you two were talking." She inched towards me.

"Come off it, Jess. You know I'm not going to get into any type of relationship with someone while on this tour. I'm not ready."

"You're not willing," she retorted. "I think you could be ready if you wanted to. Besides you're missing out on so much fun, you don't even need a relationship. Just a good time! You're young; you're wasting all this time on one guy when there are so many other hot ones you're going to meet in the next few months. I might even take a bite out of a few, huh?" she smirked and nudged my shoulder.

"Shut up."

"Really though Melissa, at least let Pat take you on a freaking date. It's not a marriage proposal. I can tell he wants to ask you out. Maybe it will take your mind off of Andr-"

"Stop," I interrupted her, angry. As if my words controlled the bus, the vehicle came to a halt. "Ugh, thank god." I stood up and roughly climbed over Jessica and bee-lined for the door without giving her any time to stop me.

Stepping out, I surveyed my surroundings. Several other buses were parked amongst ours, but I didn't bother reading what the sides of them said. I decided to stray further away from what I had already deemed 'The Rolling Turd' so I could have some quiet time to myself.

____________________________________________________________

Frank got out of his seat and raised his hands over his head, grunting. "Gerard, where Is my lighter?"

"Gee I don't know, where did you use it last? I'm not your nanny."

"Not funny, I need a fucking cigarette." He glared at his friend, cracking his fingers.

"Damn, get a fucking grip. It's over there by the microwave."

"Thanks jerk," Frank retorted, snatching his lighter. Gerard giggled at him and waved his hand, stepping out of the bus. Frank followed closely and lit his cigarette quickly, exhaling deeply. The others were napping inside the bus, no one bothering to wake them up and tell them that they have arrived.

Frank looked around and pursed his lips, feeling the gravel underneath the tight soles of his shoes. The sun was dim, sheer clouds lightly covering the surface. It was warm, but comfortably warm. He knew very well that the weather wouldn't be this compliant the entire summer, but tried his best to enjoy it while it was there. He paralleled the horizon until his eyes fell upon a girl, bright hair, kicking the dirt around with a cigarette in her left hand. She looked frustrated.

"Hey," Frank bumped Gerard's shoulder and motioned to the strange girl. "Who is that girl over there?"

Gerard looked over and squinted, taking a sip of coffee. "Dunno. She doesn't look happy." He smiled and looked at Frank. "Think she's one of Pete's girls?"

Frank laughed and took another drag. "Must be. If it is, Pete's really lost his touch."