Let The Flames Begin ✓ | Mikey Way

Chapter Eight

Dedication to killjoygerard. Thanks for reading and commenting!

The snow was falling, incessantly and despite its fluffy, Christmas card and angelic appearance, the cold was absolutely unbearable.

"Guys, c-can we p-please g-go inside, I-I'm g-gonna freeze." I chattered, wrapping my arms around myself to keep warm. Despite it being 10 degrees and snowing outside, we were still in our usual spot before school, with our backs pressed to the brick wall at the back of the school, under the bleachers that rested against it.

"No," Gerard said. I looked at him like he was crazy, and my look only intensified when he took out a pack of cigarettes.

"Gerard!" I yelled, catching the attention of Cassey, Forrest, and Mikey. "Those can kill you!"

"And?" He put the cancer stick between his lips and lit it, cupping his hands to shield it from the wind. I sighed, knowing that there was no way I was going to argue him into quitting, as it was probably a habit he had developed over the years.

I was still shivering, so I leaned into Mikey's side. I saw Cassey Give me a suggestive look, but I rolled my eyes and rested my head against his shoulder. "I'm cold," I mumbled into his shoulder.

He laughed. "It's funny how you've lived here for a while, but I'm more used to this cold than you."

"Because I don't stand outside when it's ten degrees!" I yelled, sighing. He wrapped an arm around me, and I had to bite my lip to keep from squealing. God, I really was like a lovesick teenager.

"So, I heard you were in the hospital?" Cassey asked, and I laughed.

"Oh yeah, you guys will love this," I said, remembering the events of Friday and Saturday. "Basically, I finally got on good terms with my mom. And then I came home and there was this guy in my living room. At first, I thought he was hot. Then, I remembered he was a family friend who bullied me in elementary school until he moved in third grade."

"You were bullied?" Gerard asked.

I shrugged. "Not badly. Anyway, so my mom left, and he was talking to me, and he tried to kiss me, so I kneed him in the balls-"

Everyone immediately laughed and Forrest whistled. "Nice one, Kris. Hit 'em where it hurts."

"Right? Anyway, so my mom comes in, and she's like 'why did you do that? He's supposed to be your Valentine's date.' And then I fainted. And my mom freaked out, as usual, and took me to the hospital. I told her I hit my head so I couldn't go. So yeah, that's how I ended up in the hospital and avoided a date."

"Are you just against dates? Or-" Mikey asked.

"No, no. Just not with him. And now my mom's not going to give up because he's rich even though I like-" I bit my tongue to stop myself from saying anything else.

"You like someone?" Mikey's eyes widened.

"Yeah, Kris, do tell," Cassey said ever so sarcastically, but not enough for Mikey to hear.

"Shut up."

-------------------------------

"Alright, everyone sit in one of the first few rows, I have some exciting news!" Mr. Hymn called from the front of the auditorium, clasping his hands together, as everyone started to walk in for jazz band. We sat down and Mikey turned to me.

"So, who do you l-"

"I'm not telling you."

"C'mon, Kris, I promise I won't tell him. Or her. Oh, it's a she! That's why you're not telling me!" Mikey, you are so far off.