Growing Up Chemical

Gerard and Mikey

I opened my eyes and jumped up. It was ten thirty, so I had and hour and a half. I grabbed my shirt for The Used, some black ripped skinny jeans, and my grey converse. I pulled the brush through my hair and straightend it. Finally, I put on my eyeliner and ran out the door.

I came up to the park and he was already there. I decided to talk while I had the courage. "Hi." I waved to him and he waved back. "Hi. Um...uh...you uh...sing errm......good." The boy looked down at his sneakers. I liked them. It seemed everyone was wearing Vans and DC. He was wearing converse, the same as me. I shrugged my shoulders. "I guess. Hey, I liked your shirt yesterday. And I like your shoes. And I like your shirt today." He looked at me a little wierd, but smiled. Today he had a shirt for Good Charlotte. I really liked this kid.

We went to the top of the playscape and sat criss cross apple sauce. "Hey, do you like gummy worms.?" I pulled the bag of gummy worms from my hoodie pocket. We sat there pulling apart the gummy worms for a while, when I finally asked a question that had been bugging me for a while. "So what's your name anyway.?" He just stared at the worms. I figued I woild say my name first. "Well, my name is Chloe. It's not really special, but it's my name."

"My name is Gerard. I actually like your name alot."

"My name.? Have you heard yours.? I am legit in love with your name.!" His smiled went from ear to ear. It was contagious. I couldn't help but smile. Gerard.......it was an amazing name.

"So Gerard, where do you live.?"

"I live back there. I have for about three years." I glanced over his shoulder to the old house. I could not believe he'd lived there for four years, and I had no idea. "Wow, I've never seen you before. Don't you go to school.?"

"Yeah, but it's across town. We registered for school before we knew where our house was."

"We.? There's more of you.?" We started giggling. Gerard stood up and slid down the slide. "Where are you going.?"

"Come on.! I want you to see something.!" I jumped on the platform an started to run after him.

The closer we got to the house, the more beautiful i realized it actually was. "Woah, you have a nice house."

"Wait until you see the inside. I love living here." He opened the door and walked in. It was gorgeous. This house really was beautiful inside. I slid off my converse, scared to even walk on the glossy floor. I heard creaking upstairs. "Are your parents home.?"

"Not right this moment, no."

"So what did you want to show me.?" He smiled and ran up the stairs. I fallowed behind him, tracing the wood patterns on the railing. I heard a beautiful sound coming from a room. I walked slowly examining the pictures on the walls. I finally came to the room. I stood there, not believing my eyes.

All on the walls were beautiful pictures. Some drawn in pencil, some in pastel, and some painted. Then there were band posters. All across the floor were papers with words, lyrics I had guessed, and paints and other art supplies. I looked at Gerard and smiled. "Your art....it's amazing." He just looked around at his walls, smiling himself. I sat down on the floor next to him. I played with one of the pencils on the flood next to me. "Chloe, can I ask you something.?" I looked up into his hazel green eyes. "You, Gerard, can ask me anything."

"Why did you sit next to me yesterday.? But an even bigger question, why did you ask me to come back today.?"

"Well, you were wearing a band shirt for one. A Green Day shirt at that. And I really don't know. There was just something about you that made me want to talk to you."

"That surprises me because most people would have beat me up or something." He looked away and I thought about what he just said. I put my hand on top of his. "Gerard, I would never do that." He turned to face me and I could tell he was wondering if I ment it. "Honestly Gerard. I don't want to hurt you. I want to be your friend." He smiled and proved it was still contagious.

I heard a distant sound. "Who was the 'we' you were talking about earlier.?"

"Oh yeah.! Come meet the coolest guy I know." We walked down the long hallway into another room. On the floor was a boy, a little younger then me and Gerard. He had glasses half way off his face, and a beanie. His hair was almost the same color as mine. But the best part was the silver bass in his hands.

"Mikes, I want you to meet someone." The boy looked up and his eyes got real wide. He set down his base and picked up a unicorn pillow pet. "Gerard, is that the girl you kept telling me about yesterday.?" I giggled and watched Gerards face become pink. "Hi Mikey. I'm Chloe. I really like your bass. Who signed it.?"

"Mike Dirnt from-"

"You legit got a bass signed by THE Mike Dirnt.? That is so cool.!" I picked it up and started to play a Nirvana song. I stopped realizing the two boys were staring at me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to do that." Now my face was pink. No, correction. My face was strawberry red. "Chloe, that was amazing. I have never met a girl, or guy for that matter, as cool as you.! You sing, play bass, and I bet you play guitar to." I nodded, looking at the floor. I saw my own reflection again and looked up, not wanting to see it. I smiled up at the two boys. Where had they been all my life.?

We talked about music and comic books for what seemed like an eternety. Then, all of a sudden, I remembered Ray and Frank. I guessed I really didn't have to go over there. I would just text them. It was getting late anyway. "Guys, I think I'd better get going. It's getting pretty late."

"Hey, can I walk you home.? I mean, can I walk with you to, I mean-"

"Yes Gerard. You can walk with me home." He smiled and giggled a little. We walked down the stairs, laced up our shoes, and started for my house.

It was silence for a few minuets but then I spoke up. "You should come to my school."

"You actually mean that.?"

"Yeah, I do. We could walk together. Me, You, Ray, and Frank. Oh, and Mikey to."

"Who are those people.?"

"My only friends. Ray has a fro and Frank is extremely hyper."

"Oh...well that's okay. I don't want to intrude."

"Gerard, you wouldn't be intruding. Ray and Frank both play guitar. That reminds me, what do you do.?"

"Not much. I sing, but I don't think I am that good."

"Prove it to me. Show me just how horrible are you.?" I could the wheels working in his head. Then he began to sing.