Oranges And Pastel Plaid Skirts ((ON HOLD))

A Sly Little Girl Who Can't Peel Oranges

He didn't think he'd be spending his lunch break sitting with a girl that he had never seen before, trying to peel oranges for her, but here he was. He was peeling oranges for a little girl in a pastel plaid skirt. She wasn't little, she had chubs and curves. She was a little bigger than he was, but then again, he was extremely small. She was pale and curvaceous, with a hint of masculinity, but damn, she was cute. She was quiet and shy, but gracious for his help. He could tell that she had a habit of chewing her nails and that it contributed to her struggle of peeling the orange. He couldn't help but step away from his usual spot alone and sit next to her, offering her help. She nodded, jet black hair falling into her face and covering her hazel eyes that peered out back at him with a sense of nervousness. And there they were, she nibbling on the pieces of orange and offering him a piece. He couldn't help but smile and thank her, taking a bite and asking her name. And that's how Frank Iero met Gee Way.

Gee had a range of interests, that Frank couldn't help but gawk and smile at. She was so precious and sweet. Her voice was a little lower than most females, with a slight Jersey accent and the symptoms of a mouth breather, but still cute. She talked out of the side of her mouth, pausing ever so often to check to see if he was still interested and to think about what she was going to say next. Of course, Frank was interested in her babbling of comics and drawing and music and all sorts of things. She seemed relieved about something, relieved and relaxed that she was freely able to talk. As Frank could understand, not many people came around to talk to her, only having a few friends. One of these three friends didn't go to the same school of her while the second and third had a different schedule. Her younger brother, Mikey, was a few years younger than her and went to a different school system. Her friend Lindsey was a year ahead of her, a senior. Her friend Ray had a different schedule than her. So, of course, Frank talking to her, or letting her talk, more like, was a nice change to the pace of things.

"Thank you so much for peeling these oranges for me. I usually can do it myself, but I was having issues today."
"Don't mention it. Least I can do."
"No, really, thanks."

Gee smiled at Frank, showing off her set of small white teeth. Frank looked her over. She had a thing for pastel pink, considering her outfit. A pastel pink ribbon tied in her hair, a pastel pink sweater under a black faux leather jacket, pastel pink plaid skirt, pastel pink thigh highs, black combat boots tied with pastel pink laces. Even her lipstick and little purse was pastel pink. She was a little pastel pink gumdrop. She complimented his appearance in a way. He was the one with the reverse-skunk mohawk, oversized real leather jacket over a black Smashing Pumpkins t-shirt, black skinnies, black converse. They probably looked like a strange couple sitting outside in the cold January air. Only a few people sat outside the New Jersey high school for lunch, the druggies, the smokers, and other "bad people". Frank was out here to smoke and chill, getting out of the stuffy and loud school setting. He didn't know why a little girl like Gee would be outside back behind the school, but her she was, sitting on a bench.

"So, what class do you have next?" Gee asked after swallowing another piece of orange. Frank thought for a moment.
"Gym. Shit."
"Really? I do too," she replied. Frank remembered something.
"You're the girl who sits off to the side, aren't you?"
"Yeah. Do I draw attention?"
"No, you don't," Frank lied, "I never really noticed you."
"People talk about me, don't they?"
"Yeah, they do."
"Figures," Gee replied, going quiet, "No one liked me to begin with and considering who I am-"
"Sh," Frank said, "don't think about it."

"But-"
"Hush," he said. Gee shrugged and jumped as the bell for class rang. Frank stood up, helping her to her feet.
"So, how come you sit out?"
"Really bad asthma. I once passed out during class."
"Oh. Well, shit."
"I mean, that's what the school thinks. In reality, I'm lazy, it's my brother's inhaler, and I just made myself pass out during class."
"You sneaky shit. I like you."

Gee giggled while Frank gave her a grin. The two continued walking to the gymnasium. Frank held open the door for her, and the two walked back into the building, Gee taking off her jacket and looping it over her arm. The two continued walking until they reached the hall by the gym. Frank glanced to the changing rooms, then back at Gee.

"Anyways, I have to go change for gym. See you in a bit."
"See ya."

Frank nodded to Gee as he headed into the guys changing room. Gee smiled to herself, walking into the gymnasium and going to sit on the bleachers in her usual spot. The kids who were already there scoffed at her, as usual. Eh, it was whatever. She had hopefully made a new friend that didn't know about her secret. Hopefully, Frank would stick around for a while. He was a really nice and cute guy. She wouldn't want to see him go. Gee hated seeing people go and losing people. So, she would try to cling to this one the best she could.

"Tranny."
"Faggot."
"Fatass."
"Dyke."

"Pussy."

Gee focused on the floor and cringed as the other students slung insults at her. She let out a shriek as one of the perpetrators, a taller male, grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the floor. He slammed his foot into her gut, making her curl up the floor. Another kick to the head, another bullet to her fragile spirit. She felt the tears well up in her eyes.

"Aw, look, the little bitch is crying. You think you can be a pansy-ass girl, don't you? You think you can be one of them? Well, you can't. So, quit trying, bitch."

The boy spit on her, kicked her once again for good measure, and left her sobbing on the floor, like a raven-haired faerie who had her wings chopped off. Gee wrapped her arms around her head, the laughs of the other students being blocked out by the fabric. She shut her eyes tight, trying to focus her mind on something else. She almost didn't hear the commotion going on around her until it was too late.

"What, you defending the little tranny bitch?"
"Don't fucking call her that!"

Gee uncovered her head to see Frank punch the leader of the gang and her abuser in the face. The man stumbled back, clutching his nose as blood started running down it. He cussed loudly, before swinging his own fist. Frank quickly dodged it and kneed the boy in the groin. As the taller boy doubled over in pain, Frank interlocked his hands as if bumping a volleyball, and slammed them onto the back of the boy's neck. He fell to the ground, leaving the smaller male standing triumphantly over him. Gee sat up slowly, shaking. Frank looked over to her and scampered over, kneeling down next to her.

"Gee, you okay?" he asked worriedly. Gee nodded her head.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied after a moment.
"You sure?"
"Yeah."

Frank nodded and stood up, holding out a hand. Gee tenderly took it as he helped her to her feet. She gingerly dusted herself off, picked her purse up off the ground, and sat back down on the bleachers. Frank smiled at her.

"You'll be okay? I'll be here for the rest of the class."
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
"Alright. If anyone gives you shit, just come to me."
"I will, Frank."

Frank smiled at Gee again. She grinned back at him and watched him jog off as the gym teacher came in.