Finding a Way | Adopted by Gerard Way

Proof (Nothing is Okay)

"What can I say about my new family?" Raven and Zero are staring at me intently, genuinely interested. Krash even looks up, determined not to let our previous conversation about our pasts get to him. I'm glad we're moving on quickly. I didn't want to dwell on it anymore than I already do on my own time.

"Well, Way, what are their names?" Raven urges, leaning forward, elbows on their knees and hands clasped under their chin.

"Um—" I hesitate, remembering the T-shirt Raven wore yesterday. Pretty much my whole school knows, so why shouldn't I tell the three people sitting around me? "—My dad's name is, um, Gerard."

I don't even have time to wonder how long it'll take anyone in the room to put two and two together when Raven's eyes widen. "You're joking."

I shake my head, fighting a smile.

"You're telling me you're Way and- and your dad... Gerard... you're joking," they say again.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I say, the smile I was just fighting now wide on my face.

"Yes you do!" Raven jabs a finger in my direction. "You're messing with me!"

As I burst into laughter, Zero pipes up. "What the fuck is going on?" he asks, his eyes darting between us.

"Holy shit, the rumours are true." Krash speaks for the first time in a while. "Aren't they?"

Gerard and the guys have done a pretty good job of hiding my existence from the press and fans, but the fact that my whole school knows who I am made it difficult for the news not to spread at least a little. Thankfully we haven't been bombarded by paparazzi or anything; I'm not really ready to be known by the whole world. I don't know if I'll ever be ready.

I nod very slightly and that's all it takes. I hear a gasp and Raven's hands fly to their mouth. Krash mouths, "No way." Zero, on the other hand, is utterly confused and demands, "Someone help me out here!"

"Gerard Way," Raven says quietly. "Her dad is Gerard Way."

"You mean that guy from the band you're always going on about?" Raven's cheeks flush red and Zero shakes his head. "I need proof."

"And how do you suggest I provide that?" I ask.

"If he's your dad you have his number, don't you?"

He's got a point there, but I hesitate. "I don't know if I should call him. I'm supposed to be at school right now, you know? We all are, really."

"I stand by what I said." Zero crosses his arms over his chest. "I need proof."

All three of them are looking at me expectantly now, so I pull my phone out of my pocket reluctantly. My hands had been in my front pocket this entire time and just about freeze when I take them out and they hit the air. "What am I supposed to say?" I ask as my finger hovers over Gerard's contact.

They all shrug and I roll my eyes, so I guess I'm winging it. I tap on the contact and it rings only a couple times before Gee's voice speaks out from the other end of the line. "Hello?"

"Hey Gee," I say casually.

"Eve? What's up?"