The Sharpest Lives (frerard)

Dirty Looks

Frank Iero

"Sorry we're late, miss." the new kid, Gerard mutters to the teacher as we enter the room. I walk as quickly as I can over to my seat in the middle of the room, sitting down and smiling at Gerard. He gives me a nervous half smile in return.

"Oh, it's ok. It's your first day, after all." our teacher smiles to the two boys, teeth showing. But it doesn't match her stone cold eyes. "Class, this is Gerard and Mikey Way. There our new students. They came from....." She trails off, expecting them to finish the rest.

"West Morris Central High." Mikey, the boy on the right sighs to her. He tucks a piece of light brown hair behind his ear anxiously, straightening his glasses and adjusting his maroon beanie.

"Oh well, I'm miss O'Donnell and were very glad to have you two here. You can choose a seat, anywhere you like." Miss O'Donnell smiles wickedly once again, her face creasing as she bares her teeth. I watch Gerard and Mikey's nervous faces turn to terrified in less than a second.

I look down at my workbook, glad that the attention is finally turned away from me, even if it's just for a minute. I feel a sigh of relief exit my lungs, another shaky breath entering in place of it.

"Ok. Today, class, well be starting a new assessment task with a partner." As Miss O'Donnell says this, a murmur of excitement ripples through the class. "But we're doing it with the person next to us, so we don't have to move around. And who knows? You might just find a new friend!" Groans and sighs ring throughout the classroom. Oh great. Yet another partner task I'll be doing on my own. Oh well. I've learned to deal with being alone my whole school life. I work better alone, anyway.

I sigh quietly, sadness and loneliness forcing it to sound nervous and shaky.

A couple of slow, excruciating minutes pass by, the sound of students laughing and chatting making it torturous. I look down at my book, anxiety starting to rise in me for no apparent reason. If only Ray were in this class. Id maybe then have someone to work with. But no. The idiotic teachers don't give a fuck about how students feel, as longs as they get their work done.

"Frank, have you got a partner yet?" Miss O'Donnell asks me, shaking me from my thoughts. I look up at her, my eyebrows raised. The room goes deadly silent, and even the most talkative and obnoxious students can't be heard. Oh great.

"Well, does it look like it, miss?" I say bitterly, staring her dead in the eyes. She rolls her eyes, sick of every single aspect of me and my personality.

"Well, how about you go with..... Gerard. He doesn't seem to have a partner, and I'm sure he'll be happy to work with you." At this statement, a few kids try their best to hold in a laugh.

"Oh, I'm sure the new kid will be absolutely thrilled to have to work with a dick like you," Max mutters from next to me, so close to my ear I smell the fish still lingering on his breath. Before I can think about what I'm about to do, I flip him the rude finger, smiling sarcastically as I pick up my books and bag and head over to the back of the room, to were Gerard sits. His face fills with shock and disappointment at the sight of me. Honestly, if I were to get myself as a partner to work with for the rest of the term, I'd be disappointed as well.

"Hi again," I mutter to him as I sit down, waiting for everyone's attention to divert before we start a real conversation.

"Hi, um...," Gerard mutters, but before he can say anymore, I cut him off shakily.

"Im.... really sorry that was practically the first impression you got of me. I just... hate everyone here and everyone hates me, so.... I try to act strong. I'm not actually, but I try to act as though I don't care about anything. It helps me feel stronger, you know?" I finish, barely whispering. Then I stop myself. He probably doesn't care. I mean, who would? I laugh bitterly, shaking my head. "Sorry. You don't even care. That's ok. I don't-"

"No. I do care." Gerard cuts me off before I can continue. "It's ok, I understand what it's like having everyone hate you. That's actually why we moved here. Because I was bullied so much that I actually couldn't handle it. I'd pass out before school every day from fear." He smiles slightly, shrugging at me.

"That must've been hard. I get bullied here as well. I'm sure it's not as bad as what you're describing, but-" I start, but I'm cut off by Miss O'Donnell's sharp voice.

"Frank! Gerard! Pay attention, please! This is important stuff that you need to know if you want to get good marks." Miss O'Donnell instructs us. Every head turns our way, smirking and giggling. Shit. I've just put Gerard in the shooting range for dirty looks and spiteful comments.

"Now, this assessment task includes..... Wait for it..... Mythical creatures!" miss O'Donnell says excitedly, waiting for a reaction from her class. No one acts excited in the least. "Come on guys! Mythical Creatures are the best! Anyway, what you'll be doing in this assessment is researching a mythical creature of your choosing. You'll have to research and note down when the first of its species was discovered, what mythology/folklore it comes from, what country it originated from, etc. I'll hand out a note about it later. This has to be in by week nine, the first period of history that week." I look over to Gerard, my heart hammering. Mythical creatures. I'll have this one in the bag. Ever since I was a child I've been obsessed with mythical creatures, especially vampires. Everything about them is absolutely amazing, from the fangs, the turning-into-bats, the bloodthirst.....

"Vampires! Let's do vampires!" I whisper-shout to him. His eyebrows suddenly crease, and a look of fear as plain as daylight enters his eyes.

"Um, yeah sure, we can do that...." He mutters, obviously not as excited as I am about this.

"I mean, if you don't want to we don't have to, it's ok," I say to him, a little disappointed in his lack of enthusiasm.

"No, of course, we can do Vampires! I know heaps about them." Gerard covers up, clearly trying to make me feel better. I take the bait.

"Awesome. I'm excited for this. So what days are free for you? I mean, to work on our assignment. I'm free every day but Fridays..." I say, talking quickly, but soon realize he's not listening. A nervous, distant expression vacates Gerard's face as he stares at the whiteboard.

"Are you ok?" I whisper to him.

"What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine..." He mutters, pulling at his collar. Somethings going on. He's either nervous about doing this assignment about vampires or with me. Whatever it is, I'm going to find out.