A Kiss Before She Goes

I followed Frank as he led the way to his friend’s house. This was the first time I left my house and saw New Jersey. The neighborhoods were nice around here.

After a while of silence, Frank spoke. “You’ll like Gerard… well when he’s sober.”

I looked at him confused and asked, “What do you mean?”

“He was the one yelling last night in front of my house. He can be so crazy sometimes.” Frank said shaking his head maybe remembering something.

“Oh then I like him already!” Frank gave me an odd look. “He was funny. I like people like that. He actually reminded me of a friend I have in Utah. He was always crazy like that when he was drunk.” I laughed as memories flashed through my head. I should call sometime soon.

“Oh well that’s good. I feel less nervous now.”

“Why would you feel nervous? Shouldn’t I be the one feeling nervous?!” I said laughing.

“I know I shouldn’t but… I really want my friends to like you.” He paused for a moment trying to find the right words to say next. “Because I really like you.” I blushed instantly. He blushed too and started laughing nervously. “I mean as a friend!”

I nervously laughed and nodded my head to let him know I understood. We were silent again until we reached his friend’s house. He walked up to the door and walked in without knocking. He motioned me to follow him to the back of the house where I could hear music playing. He opened a door that lead to the basement. The music got louder. As he reached the bottom of the stairs the music stopped.

“Hey Frank you made it!” A voice said.

“Yeah I wanted you guys to meet someone.” Frank motioned me to come down with a smile. When I reached the bottom I could see four boys each holding an instrument. I smiled feeling nervous at how they were all staring at me. “Guys this is Anna Bell Rose. She’s my new neighbor.”

“Hi.” I said softly.

“Hey! I’m Gerard.” The boy wearing all black said.

“I’m Mikey.” A shy boy with glasses.

“Hi, I’m Ray.” A boy with curly hair.

“Bob.” A tall guy with blonde hair.

I smiled at them and looked at Frank. “Go sit on the couch over there and watch us practice.”

“So I get to hear you play?” I asked excited.

“Yes.” He laughed. I smiled at him and went to sit on the couch. Before Frank could pick up his guitar, Gerard stopped him.

“I need to talk to you.” Gerard said seriously. Frank gave him a look and nodded, heading back upstairs. I looked at the boys who were all still staring at me. I laughed nervously. Thanks Frank.

*Frank’s POV*

I entered Gerard’s room crashing into his bed. I sat up and looked at Gerard as he closed the door.

“What’s up?” I asked him fiddling with my shirt.

“Is that the girl from last night?” He asked leaning against the door.

“Yeah, remember the lunch date I had to go to with my mom? It was with her family. She’s pretty cool. She sings too. God, Gerard you should hear her sing! She has such a powerful voice, it’s insane.” I said probably smiling silly. I guess I was right from the look Gerard gave me.

“Really? I would like to hear her then.” He said laughing most likely at the face I made.

“Yeah she plays the piano too. I was speechless when she played me a song today.” I said trailing off into my head.

“Sounds like you really like her then?” He said raising an eyebrow.

“What?! No! I just met her. She’s cool but I just see her as a friend.” I said defensively. I know Gerard is my best friend and I can tell him anything; but in reality I didn’t even know how I really felt for Rose.

“Are you sure?” He asked.

“Yeah, why do you ask?” I asked suspicious now.

“Then you won’t mind if I ask her out on a date?” I felt my stomach turn and my chest tighten. I wanted to tell him not to but I knew I couldn’t. It wasn’t my place to say who she can or can’t see. I didn’t own her.

“S-sure. I don’t care.” I lied looking down at my hands.

“Cool.” He smiled at me and walked out the door. I followed him as I cursed at myself.

*Rose’s POV*

After Frank left, Ray sat down next to me and asked me about myself. He was really nice and funny. We all had a lot of things in common. I was talking to Mikey about comics when Frank and Gerard came back down. I looked at Frank and saw he wasn’t too happy. He smiled at me when he saw I was looking at him. I was worried if he was going to be okay. They all got ready to play.

“We are My Chemical Romance and this is Skylines and Turnstiles!” Gerard yelled winking at me. I was confused but smiled anyway. They were amazing! I wanted to get up and jump up and down to the music. I had a huge smile on my face. I watched Frank play with such passion, that gave me chills. He was really good. Once they finished they all looked at me.

“That was amazing! You guys are going to be big!” I said bouncing with joy.

“I hope so!” Gerard said sitting down next to me. “So Frank tells me that you can sing. I really would like to hear.”

“Yeah I’ll sing you something one day. I really like your voice. You have this sexy eerie passion in you. I really like it.” I said turning my body towards him.

“Sexy, huh?” He said flirtatious. I laughed at him and smiled. “Well maybe we should hang out just us and you can sing for me.”

I glanced at Frank who was playing with his shirt angrily. I wonder what’s wrong with him. I’ll ask him later. I looked back at Gerard and smiled. “Sure, I would love to.”

“Sweet! We’ll figure out what day later.” He said giving me a huge smile. Gerard was sweet so it wouldn’t hurt to just go out and hang out with the guy. We all went upstairs to the living room and watched some TV for a while. Frank didn’t even get close to me. I felt really bad thinking I did something wrong. I tried to shrug it off and ask later what was wrong. My cell phone started to ring and I looked to see my mom calling. I excused myself and went outside the porch.

“Yeah mom?” I asked.

“Hija where are you?”

“I’m still at Frank’s friend’s house.”

“Well come home already, it’s getting late and we don’t know how it is here at night.”

“Yeah I understand. Ok I’ll be home soon.” I hung up and headed back inside. “Hey Frank, I need to go home now.” Frank just gave me a glance and nodded.

“Aww already? Can’t you stay longer?” Gerard whined.

I laughed at him and said, “No my mom wants me home now. I’m sorry. Maybe I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

“Alright.” Gerard said standing up. I hugged everyone good bye and left with Frank. We both walked in silence home. I wanted to ask him what was wrong but maybe it wasn’t my place to get in his business. I did just meet him. After a while he broke the silence.

“So what did you and Gerard talk about?” He asked not looking at me.

“Not much. He just wants to hang out and hear me sing.”

“Oh.” He said as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

“I know it’s none of my business but are you okay?”

“Yeah everything is fine.” I knew he was lying but I didn’t want to push it and make him mad at me. As we got to the front of my house I stopped and looked at him for a moment.

“Thanks for tonight. I had a lot of fun meeting you and your friends. See you tomorrow?” I asked.

“Sure.” He said shrugging.

“Cheer up Frank. I like the happy Frank I met earlier today. That’s what made me like you so much.” He looked up at me with a surprised expression. Before he could say anything I gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Goodnight Frank!” I walked inside my house closing the door just in time to see Frank hold up his hand to his cheek and smile.