Staring Down a Loaded Gun

03

I walked into class and sat in my usual seat, waiting for Mr. Sawyer and Gerard to arrive. Frowning at the seat beside me, I realized it had been more than a week since I had seen him.

I wanted to ask the group where he was, but I couldn't make myself do that. If it had been any of the other boys, I wouldn't have trouble asking. But with Gerard... I don't know why, but I just couldn't.

"Alright guys, let's see that homework I gave you." Mr. Sawyer grinned as he walked into the classroom with a very nice suit, and neatly combed hair.

"Sir, are you going on a date?" a random guy asked.

"No, why?" confusion clear on his face.

"You look hot! That's why." a shameless girl exclaimed.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked "I'm not going on a date, I have a meeting today. And... I'm always hot."

Everyone laughed including me.

"Now take out your homework. Don't think I don't know your tricks!" He then laughed.

There was a series of groans and 'damn its' around the class.

Looks like they haven't done the homework...

I let out a sigh and got my things. Seems like Gerard wasn't going to be in today as well.

Maybe he was sick....

***

"Hey!" I greeted the squad in the corridor outside my classroom.

"Hi!" Ray grinned widely. He was wearing a pair of ripped jeans and a brown top. His hair looked extra wild today.

"Hello." Sniper smiled warmly at me. She was dressed in a black summer dress and cute red ballet flats. I may be gay, but I always appreciate how beautiful she is. Even though I'm a guy I felt self conscious standing next to her in skinny jeans and a zipped up hoodie. I hated my body, so I always kept it hidden no matter what the weather.

Mikey was wearing black skinny jeans and an Anthrax t-shirt. That seemed to be his favorite, apart from his Dawn of the Dead shirt. He was wearing different glasses today, these were black and white. In place of his normal black ones. I wanted to know what he thought about his brother missing all this school. But I have to realize that it was normal for Gerard to be missing sometimes even Bob.

In the last few days I had gotten very close to the group.... except for Gerard. From the schools reaction and impression on the older Way, I didn't think his friends would be so accepting, caring, and nice.

I think that they were just misunderstood. The students weren't seeing past their choice of clothing and who they were associated with. Something I had to go through my whole life. The only person in the group that talked to other was Sniper. I could as well, but you know, I'm not that social. I didn't expect to get any friends during my senior year, let alone the first day.

"Where's Bob?" I asked Sniper when I noticed he wasn't amongst the group. And he wasn't hitting on me.

Confusion and worry flooded me as she shared a look with Ray.

"Oh... umm.... he umm had stuff to do. So... he didn't come today." she answered rocking back and forth on her feet.

I made my mouth into an 'O' shape and nodded slowly at her, as if I understood what she was saying.

"Alright bitches. I'm starving let's go eat!" Mikey grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the front door, so we could go to our eating/ hangout spot.

Not many people sat outside, it was rare to see someone. They all sat in the stuffy cafeteria that looked like something straight outta Mean Girls.

Seriously, it was so stereotypical. You could tell who belonged to which group , from the food they're carrying to the clothes they wear.