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Chapter II.

Gerard was freshly showered and in the midst of getting dressed. A black jean and dark green shirt. He
needed to hurry up if they'd make the movie. There was a knock at his bedroom door.

"Yeah! Just a sec."

He quickly pulled a black hooded sweater over his shirt as he went for the door.

"You have a visitor. Bria." Mikey said.
"Bria?" He repeated curiously. "Alright... hey, do me a favor?"
"Keep mom away from her."
Gerard smiled, "Thanks."

Apparently, Bria had changed their plans. No worries though. They would be able to get better seats this
way. He grabbed his wallet and headed downstairs. Bria was standing next the mantel holding a glass of
coke. The family pictures had caught her attention. Gerard cleared his throat, interrupting her viewing.

Bria smiled, "Gerard. Hey."
"Hey. Guess we should get going before my mom ---"

Before he could finish suggesting they leave before his mother came back, Mother Way entered the living
room.

"I knew I left this old thing somewhere." She said.

In her hands, she held a leather-bound photo album. Gerard's face turned a deep crimson. How could she
be so cliché. Bria was not interested in a stuffy, old album filled with embarrassing family shots.

"Mom. We're gonna be late." He griped.
"I thought Bria here might like to see photos from ---"
"Mom!"
"Alright. Alright. Just poking fun, no incriminating pictures."
"Thank you." He sighed. "Bria."

She thanked Mrs. Way for the drink as Gerard led them outside.

"So, I was thinking ---"
"Gerard, wait." Bria interrupted.

He stopped on the porch stairs. She needed to speak to him before any more plans were arranged. Gerard
waited patiently. The expression on her face was filled with confusion and nerve. That was never a good
sign.

"I came over to tell you I can't --" she sighed, "I can't go out with
you today."
"Why not?"
"I just can't. I'm sorry. It's not you, but something came up. Hope
you're not upset."
"No, it's okay."
"Because I didn't mean to cancel like this."
"Yeah. Maybe we can try for another day, like Friday or..."
"Gerard, listen. I like you, but I think it's best that for now we stay
friends."

Mikey let the window curtain fall back. His brother wouldn't want anyone to witness this. Even though
Gerard never said much on the subject, Mikey knew he was falling for Bria. Hard. He stepped away from
the window and returned to the movie he was watching, Rocky Horror Picture Show. This was the millionth
time he'd seen this, but it was still a classic. A car door opened and closed. Five, ten, fifteen minutes
passed and Gerard hadn't come back in. Mikey stared at the window from out of the corner of his eye. He
didn't hear any voices, so Bria had obviously left. The suspense was killing him. The movie would have to
wait.

Mikey walked to the door and cautiously opened it. Gerard was alone, leaning against the porch railing.
Such a crock, Gerard thought. What possessed him to ask her out in the first place. Everyone knew Bria
was out of his league. He saw the looks they gave when they were together. No one could fathom why a
girl like Bria, smart, gorgeous, talented, would waste her time on him. After all, he was nothing more than
an art-freak, a loner who got piss-drunk religiously. Well this time Gerard swore to prove them all wrong.

"Hey, bro. You alright?" Mikey asked.

He stared at Mikey with a blank stare and swore they'd realize their mistake. Respecting his brother
silence, Mikey took a seat on the banister next to where Gerard stood. The sun would be setting in a few
hours, but for now the warm, spring air hung around. Come autumn, Gerard would be on his way out of
here. That left him without a partner in crime and best friend, at least one that right lived down the hall.

"So what happened with Bria?"
"Nothing. Forget it." Gerard replied, coldly.
"Listen, I know you like her but ---"
"But what?"

Mikey dropped the topic and faced forward.

"I never said I liked her."
"Come on, G. It wasn't exactly a big secret."
"Shut up. What do you know?"
"I know, I wouldn't let a stupid sophomores dump me for
another guy."
Gerard glared at Mikey, "What, you're eavesdropping now?"

It wasn't like he listened in on purpose, Mikey confessed. Gerard may be older, but when girls were the
topic, all that 'with age comes wisdom' stuff went out the window. Bria was honest enough with him. It was
time for Gerard to be honest with himself.

"Just forget it alright, Mikey. It's none of your business anyways."
"Look. It's obviously not going to happen, so sulking is a
waste. Face it!"

Gerard shoved him off the banister, having heard enough and stormed into the house. Bria was back with
her ex-boyfriend and just like that, he was out of the picture. He didn't need his kid brother rubbing salt in
his wounds. Mikey landed in grass face to face with the bright, blue sky. He laid there in shock before
rolling over to his side. There would definitely be a bruise tomorrow. He shook off the fall and headed off in
Gerard's trail.

In the kitchen, Mother Way jumped at the sound of the door slamming. Gerard rushed past headed for the
stairs.

"Gerard!" She called out.

He stopped mid-way up the stairs and walked back down them, begrudged.

"What's going on? You and Bria will be late for the movie."
"God! I said forget it. Why the hell is everyone hassling me
about Bria?!" He yelled, turning to leave.
"Excuse me? Gerard, get ---"

Mikey stormed into the house cutting his mothers words short. He saw Gerard and balled his fist tighter,
turning his knuckles white. Gerard squared his shoulders. Mother Way looked at the two boys and knew
this scene all to well. She stood in Mikey's path and stopped him.

"Mikey ---" She warned.
"Hey! Just because another girl rejected you, don't take it out on
me, alright!" Mikey started.
"Mind your damn business and I wouldn't have to. I never asked
for your opinion anyways!"
"Really?! Well here's another opinion for the hell of it. Only reason
she ever spoke to you was so she could pass Chemistry. It was pity,
Gerard. Bria felt sorry for you."

Gerard jumped off the stairs and moved towards him. Mother Way found herself between her sons. She
held them back, placing an outstretched hand on either of their chest.

"Both of you. Whatever this is, I want it stopped /now/. Do you
understand me?"

They broke their glare. Neither answered, only looked around the living room unassumingly.

"I said, do you understand me?!"
"Yes." They both mumbled.

She lowered her arms slowly. This was far from over, but against her better judgment she returned to the
waiting dishes in the kitchen. Raising these two boys was almost comical. They would spend hours
together, talking over comic books and new cassettes then like night turns to day they'd be in an argument.
And it seemed the closer Gerard came to leaving for art school, the more frequent their disputes became.
Mother Way asked a higher power, to solve whatever difference they had when a loud crash came from rang
from the other room. There'd be no truce today.

Gerard pushed Mikey off and pinned him beneath his weight. He brought his fist down in an unrelenting
series of punches. Obscenity after obscenity spewed from his mouth without end. Mikey desperately
guarded his face from the blows. Mother Way entered to find the boys struggling on the floor.

"GERARD WAY!" She yelled.

The sound of her voice was distant, drowned out by the blood rushing to his head.

"GERARD!"

It was never enough.

"GERARD, STOP IT!!"

He was never good enough.

"Gerard!" Mikey wailed. "Let up, Gerard, I'm sorry!"

They were all against him. Mother Way grabbed Gerard's arm and shoulder. He fought against her hold,
swinging blindly. When she finally managed to pry him away, they both tumbled back onto the floor. A
ceramic flower bouquet rolled off the coffee table and shattered on the hardwood floor. Gerard's eyes, wide
and teary, jumped around the living room. Mikey slowly propped up on his elbow.

"Gerard, what for Christ sake possessed you?!" Mother Way shouted.

He stared at his mother as she got up and checked on Mikey. His lip was already swelling and his under
eye would soon follow. Gerard opened his mouth to speak, but nothing.

"I asked a question. I'm sick of you two acting like this."
Mikey shrugged away her touch, "Quit, mom. I'm fine."
"Fine? You're ridiculous that's what you are."

Gerard was fixated on the pieces of yellow, indigo, and green flowers thrown across the floor. Tears singed
his eyelids. He shook his head and swore they'd take him alive.

"Gerard, I don't like this." His mother said. "Gerard, are you listening to me?"

They'd take him alive, but not without a fight. He jumped from the floor and bolted. Mother Way called out
after him as he ran from house. Gerard ignored her voice. He'd have his revenge.