Finding a Way | Adopted by Gerard Way

Shattered and Hurt

I'm relieved that it's Friday and that the week is finally over, but I'm also incredibly nervous. If Emerald was avoiding me before, I'll be surprised if she's even allowed in the same building as me after yesterday.

"Evelyn." I'm at my locker when I hear a voice say my name from behind me.

Maybe I was mistaken?

"Emerald?" I say, turning around to face the girl. Almost all the blue is gone from her hair now.

"What the fuck was that?" She hisses.

"It- it wasn't my idea. Gerard dragged me there with him," I stutter, afraid because I've never seen my fr— Emerald so mad before. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen her mad.

"What'd you tell him that made him go all crazy like that?"

"I just told him what happened! But you think my dad went crazy?"

"He fucking did, didn't he!? And, you told him what happened, Evelyn? Unbelievable! So what, now he thinks I'm gay, too?"

"That's irrelevant! What matters is your dad is the one who kicked me out of the house for no good reason!"

She shakes her head. "Maybe he did have a reason."

"But, Em, I thought—"

"No, Evelyn. I don't like you like that, I can't, and I never fucking will."

I truly think my heart just shattered in a million pieces. Tears are already pricking the corners of my eyes as I stutter, "Wh-what? Emerald... you're the one who—"

"Save your breath, it doesn't matter what you say, this is just the way it is." Emerald cuts me off then quickly follows a group of people walking in the hallway— her new friends, I suppose— but not before I see a tear run down her face. She wipes it away angrily.

I slam my locker shut and run to the nearest bathroom before bursting into tears. I was so confident yesterday during my speech to Emerald's dad, but I guess I was wrong in saying that she likes me back.

The bell rings, which means I should head to my first class, but I don't. I just lock myself in a bathroom stall and let the tears fall hot and fast.

This is a typical high school situation, isn't it? Crying in the bathroom after being jilted by someone you love, even though you're too young to know what love is.

I dig around for my phone in my bag then call Gerard. I let it ring for a while, but he doesn't answer.

Perfect.

He's probably in his office or taking care of some band stuff with the guys. They've been super busy recently planning a tour. They think I don't know, but I heard them talking about what they should do with me while they're away. Maybe it's for the better that he didn't pick up, though. I mean, I've already been enough trouble lately as is. I don't want to be anymore burdensome.

Maybe I should just skip school.

No, that's a stupid idea.

But I'm pretty sure I'm failing all my classes anyway, so does it really matter?

It does. Gerard would find out and he'd have to deal with that on top of everything else.

Instead, I stay in the stall for all of first class (math). No one comes looking for me, though I don't know why they would, and no one even enters the bathroom while I'm in here. I guess my sheer presence is repelling somehow.

When the bell finally rings again, I leave and go directly to History, taking a seat in the far back corner away from everyone. I put my hood on and avert my eyes, only looking up to take some illegible notes during class about World War II, or whatever it is we're covering now.