So...Who Are You Again? My Chemical Romance? Never Heard of You.

Before I knew it, Linkin Park's performance came and went. I never thought it possible, but Frank and I seemed to click really well once we got over that initial barrier of my resemblance to Lauren. We didn't necessarily have much in common, though. They were little things, for the most part, like his favorite color being something called mauve, and mine being orange. However, there was one huge difference I couldn't help but notice.

He lived for music and music alone while I...Well...Didn't. He claimed he couldn't live without music being part of his life, and after naming all the bands he listened to with his different moods, I didn't doubt him for a second. He was so passionate about his hobby, another emotion that I lacked. I'm a rather boring person in comparison to someone like Frank Iero, who had a million and one stories to tell about everything. I had an average of about one or two. That was another big difference between us.

As Linkin Park walked past us from the stage toward their bus, the singer dwindled. He was the one I talked to at the McDonalds, whose name I learned was Chester. We exchanged smiles before he turned to Frank.

"Hey, are you bunking with us again?" Chester asked, jerking a thumb behind him, motioning in the general direction of their bus. Frank closed one eye and looked up in thought.

"I think I'll mooch off someone else tonight," he answered, nodding his head in reason. Chester eyed him strangely with a tiny smirk. Frank did the same and added, "What?"

"You seem like you're in a better mood," Chester observed, crossing his arms. It was only for a second tops, but I noticed he glanced in my direction. Frank didn't seem to see; he shrugged his shoulders and nodded his head indifferently.

"I guess."

"You guess?"

"I guess." Frank smiled lazily.

"Alright, well don't go too crazy." The singer waved a goodbye that we returned then headed up the stairs with a small laugh. He acted like he knew something we didn't. Maybe it was something the band or someone told him ea-

"Oh crap!" I exclaimed as he walked away, bolting into an upright position. Frank turned to me in surprise, his hazel eyes widened.

"What?"

"I told them that I'd be right back! I completely forgot!" I meant what I said and I said what I meant when I told them that I'd be right back. I honestly didn't anticipate having an almost two hour conversation with him.

Frank continued looking at me with a blank expression as I sat there, silently freaking out.

"Whoops," he replied simply. A smile formed and grew into an unexpected laugh. In the midst of my conundrum, I couldn't help but smile too when I asked what was so funny.

"This one time awhile ago," Frank paused to laugh, "Gerard, Ray, and I were at this one mall next to one of our venues. It was getting close to our call time so we decided to leave. I offered to run and go get the car since it was a long ways away and I owed Ray for buying me a shake. So, when I got in the car, I happened to see a drive thru down the way and decided to go get something to eat real fast since I was already out in the stratosphere of the parking lot. Well, somehow in the time it took me to get some food, I'd forgotten why I was even out, so I drove back to the venue. When it was time to go on, everyone was freaking out 'cause Gerard and Ray weren't there."

"So, what happened?" I asked between a giggle as he continued laughing.

"When I went to pick them up, they had the WORST looks on their faces."

"How long were they out there?"

"About 3 hours." He grinned widely, snickering. "They've barely just forgotten it."

"That's horrible, Frank," I told him, though unable to keep a straight face as I pictured Gerard and Ray's murderous glares.

"I have a bad memory." He shrugged as if he had only forgotten to throw something away. But then again, I was no better. And I was to a point where I actually knew to go back, but still stayed to talk to Frank anyway.

"Well, I'd better go back now." I hoisted myself up then Frank followed. "Now I can at least beat your record of caring by about an hour." He chuckled, looking away from me. I liked his laugh; I liked seeing him happy. It suited him much better than the frown he and I both got accustomed to seeing.

"Hey, listen," Frank said softly, the smile disappeared and his head bowed, looking at my shoes. "Thanks for helping me out."

"Sure thing." I half smiled. I was about to head off but I could tell something was still on his mind the way he bit his lip.

"And-" he added quickly. "Could you not tell anybody where you were?"

"What am I supposed to tell them, then?"

"I don't know." He shrugged. "Say you were eating a popsicle."

"For two hours?" I raised my eyebrow, questioning Frank's excuse. A smile briefly showed through on his face. "I'll just say I got lost."

"Yeah, that sounds good. Just don't tell them." The sad expression he had on from the beginning of our conversation began to show through as his thoughts presumably dwindled on Lauren. "I just...Really don't..."

"Hey, I won't," I assured comfortingly. "My lips are sealed."

"Kay." He took a breath and nodded his head. "See you later, I guess."

"Alright." I waved to him before I began jogging away. I wasn't really sure how, exactly, we were going to see each other later. I'd have to make up something ridiculous to tell everyone in order to talk to Frank that would probably wind up screwing me over in the end. Or if he came and got me, I think that would pose even more questions. I shook my head of the matter and just decided to let it be for now. I'd figure it out.

As I approached the place on the other side where I split, I noticed a solitary figure standing, leaned against the wall with his head down. I slowly slunk over, recognizing the person to be Gerard.

"Hey," I greeted quietly. His head flew up in shock, glancing around quickly with a look of horror as if a killer was after him. His eyes were wide when they finally found me.

"Where've you been?" he asked immediately, now at full attention.

"I got lost," I mumbled, looking down in embarrassment. "I took a right when I was supposed to take a left; you know that type of thing."

"I figured that's what happened." He nodded knowingly. "I told everyone else they could go ahead and leave when you weren't here by the time Linkin Park was finished."

"Sorry," I said with a frown.

"Hey, no worries." He grinned and nudged me in the shoulder. "Least you came back. It's not like I was depending on you for a ride or anything." He added the last part grudgingly, through clinched teeth.

"Hah, so you haven't forgotten." I giggled.

"Are you kidding? I wou-" He cut off suddenly then narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Wait, what?"

"What?" I replied too quickly, my eyes huge. Dammit. That wasn't supposed to happen. Why, mouth? Why must you speak before I think?

"How did you...?"

"Ray...Told...Me," I found myself answering in pieces. Gerard's mouth formed an O as he nodded his head. Okay, I slid by on that one, but I'm completely fucked if Gerard mentions that around Ray. Note to self: For Christ's sake, lie better. "Shall we go back then?"

"Yeah," he agreed. As Gerard and I headed out, we exchanged small talk that flowed nicely until Gerard stopped abruptly in front of the buses. I stopped too, looking around in confusion. I turned to him, and grew nervous when I saw he was examining me in thought.

Great; why didn't anyone tell me Gerard is a mind reader? Sure, my lips may be sealed but my brain sure isn't- My bad, Frank.

"Hey, do you want to go somewhere real fast before we have to leave?" he questioned, cocking his head to the side. I opened my mouth, ready with a plea on Frank's behalf, but suddenly snapped it shut when his question registered. I caught my mouth that time.

"Was that a no?" Gerard wondered, looking unsure.

"No, no, no." I waved my hand in the air as if swatting away bugs. I wanted to laugh at my stupid, riled up imagination for thinking that Gerard was a psychic.

"Oh." He looked downed, slightly discouraged and uncomfortable.

"No! I meant yes!" I quickly corrected. He slightly raised his upper lip and narrowed his eyes, showing he was following my logic with the same difficulty a fish would have walking. I took a breath and restated, "Yeah, I'll go somewhere with you."

"Oh," he whispered, nodding with a relieved expression, finally understanding my answer. "Okay cool."

"So, where exactly are we going?" I asked as I followed Gerard after he started walking toward the exit.

"It has recently come to my attention that Bob broke the coffee maker, so I've had to go a whole day without coffee." His breaths were consistent and slightly heavier than normal. "Do you know what that means?"

"Slightly better tooth enamel?" I offered with a cheesy grin.

"It means I'm going out of my mind!" Gerard exclaimed, stopping to grab my shoulders and shake them for emphasis. Geez, talk about your coffee addict.

"So we're off to buy a coffee maker?" I guessed, holding my pointer finger up, taken aback from being shaken without warning.

"Exactly!" A wide, almost maniacal grin spread across his face. He flung his hand forward, pointing, then began marching out of the parking lot.

"Do you need coffee that badly?" I asked, trailing after him.

"YES!" I jumped when Gerard screamed his answer, stopping in his tracks, tensing all his muscles together to give him a deranged look. I looked at him strangely as he quickly regained his composure then repeated in a calmer voice, "I mean yes."

"Wow." I watched him in amazement as he involuntarily twitched a couple more times. "I know what to get you for Christmas."

"Christmas is too far away!" Gerard declared, grabbing my hand then took off. I yelled as I tried to keep up with the rapid pace he unexpectedly dragged me at. I spared a glance behind me toward the calm atmosphere near the buses, wondering for a brief second if I should just rip away and leave while I still could, but decided against it. Coffee deprived Gerard would not be a pleasant gift for any employee.

"Do you even know where we're going?" I called after him.

"'Course I do!" he insisted. "I know the exact location of 27 different Starbucks in the continental US alone!"

Somehow I didn't doubt that.

--

After galloping at the same fast pace for a couple minutes, Gerard's hand still clamping mine so I couldn't stop, I noticed we slowed down. As we finally came to a halt, I panted heavily, pondering why Gerard had so much energy with his lack of coffee. I let go of Gerard's hand as he sniffed the coffee drenched air hungrily and rested both hands on my knees, catching my breath.

"No time for rest, we're here!" I barely had time to look up and notice we were standing in front of the 27 Starbucks inscribed in Gerard's memory before he grabbed my hand again then yanked me after him, making me groan in frustration.

"I am not a wagon you can pull at your expense," I told him between breaths once we were inside. He ignored my comment and instead took another breath of coffee-air, a smile plastered on his face. We walked to the register, a pace I was much more accustomed to. Luckily there wasn't anyone in the store to swarm him so he was able to make an order uninterrupted.

"Oh, and I'd like one of these heaven-in-a-box," Gerard added to his order, snatching up one of the coffee maker boxes on display next to him then set it on the counter. He turned to me with a smile. "That'll hold me over for the tour."

"Unless Bob breaks it again," I chorused with a bemused smile.

"Babe," He lowered his head in seriousness, "Don't even speak those words."

"Don't want to be a jinx," I reasoned along with Gerard. A smile returned to his face as he nudged me lightly, still, I just noticed, holding my hand. I took no mind to it though, it wouldn't harm anyone.

After getting a total, Gerard pulled out some wadded cash and handed it to the cashier. He bounced lightly on his tip toes as he averted his eyes toward the person preparing his Venti sized drink. After accepting his change, he squealed excitedly the second the employee capped his drink then raced to the other side to the counter, releasing my hand. I was thankful for this because if he didn't, I would probably have gotten some sort of head trauma.

I flashed a grin to the startled employee and grabbed the bag that held Gerard's patented Starbucks coffee maker for him. As I walked to the other side of the counter, I watched Gerard stab a straw through the top violently then take a giant gulp. His body immediately relaxed, a mellow smile making itself present on his face.

"Salvation," he whispered, then took another sip.

"You're so funny, Gerard," I said with a laugh. He shook his head in a mocking manner and continued to guzzle his coffee, despite the noticeable steam floating out of the hole at the top. Once he gulped a few more sips down, I handed him the bag with the coffee maker in it.

"So, are we goin' now?" I questioned, not sure if we were just gonna stand there the rest of the day, soaking in the coffee atmosphere. Though, judging on Gerard's behavior, I didn't know if I'd be able to drag him away, even if I wanted to.

"No way!" he exclaimed. He turned back to the workers and requested, "Can I get another one? No wait, two more?"

"Sure," they both mumbled their answer, probably not thinking very highly of Gerard based on his first impression. I continued standing while Gerard paid for two more.

"Shouldn't you finish your first before you get two more?" I asked, an eyebrow raised.

"You see, Julie my dear," Gerard began to explain, "One is for here, one is for the way back, and one is for the road."

"Silly me, why didn't I think of that?" He shrugged to my sarcastic rhetorical question.

"Will you carry those for me?" Gerard pointed with one of his fingers wrapped around his steaming cup to the drinks that the employee slid across the counter.

"Didn't I already state earlier that I am not a wagon?" I reminded.

"Nope," he declined after thinking for a second. I rolled my eyes, specifically remembering the comment I made earlier. I went ahead and grabbed the drinks, though.

"Only 'cause you waited for me," I told him before he started thinking I'd be his lackey. Gerard smiled and thanked me, then opened the door for me to exit. He took one last breath before disposing of his drink then leaving with a dreamlike smile on his face. He carefully took the cup from my left hand with his, which had the bag hanging around the wrist, then took an immediate sip. He then replaced where the cup was with his right hand so that we held hands while we walked at the much better pace than on the way. I silently wondered how we kept ending up with our hands intertwined.

"So, I lied earlier," Gerard confessed after a few seconds.

"About what?" I questioned, furrowing my eyebrows.

"That drink's not for the bus, I got it for you."

"What?" I yelped, surprised, causing a chuckle to emit from Gerard. "You didn't have to do that!"

"Hey, I wanted to get you something to compensate for Frank being an ass on behalf of everyone, but mostly me because I'm the most caring, talented, good looking, funniest, best dressed, and..." he trailed off with a clueless look. "What was I talking about again?"

"Oh, only little ol' me." I laughed as Gerard got his thoughts back on track. I wanted to tell him he didn't have to buy me one since Frank was officially no longer being an ass to me. I didn't even really like coffee, so I actually wouldn't have minded him returning it.

But I drank it anyway. It was sweet of Gerard and I wasn't one to rain on someone's parade, especially if it was on my behalf.

--

As we reentered the parking lot, everything was all packed up and a few of the buses had already left. We probably should have already been on the road.

"Whoops," Gerard said, then began laughing, very similar to Frank earlier today. My thoughts remained on Frank momentarily, wondering how he was doing, but discarded them when Gerard let go of my hand and began jogging toward the bus. I followed shortly after, jogging the rest of the way to My Chemical Romance's bus. As Gerard opened the door and took a step on, Mikey immediately jumped in front of his brother out of nowhere.

"You!" he yelled with disdain in his voice, pointing menacingly at Gerard. I watched from outside with an eyebrow arched. Shelly's head popped into my vision to the right with a playful smile on her face as she watched the scene.

"Mikey, you have my permission to move," Gerard stated bordely, taking the last step onto the bus. Mikey continued standing there with an angry look, while an uproar began amongst the rest of the band members, all demanding to know where he'd been. Gerard simply rolled his eyes then turned and beckoned me to get on the bus. I felt kind of guilty as I took a step on; I've been making it a bad habit recently to be late. Out of courtesy, Gerard offered a hand to help me up the step, which I accepted even though I was perfectly capable of doing it myself. He then reached past me, and yanked the door shut behind me. The bus driver proceeded to take off, joining a line of buses exiting the parking lot.

"Hey guys, I'm really, really sorry for being late," I said as I advanced further in the room. It seems like I've had to apologize for a lot of things lately. Since when did I ever screw up so much? But then again, since when did I go on random adventures with minimal time to spare? Something about these guys was bringing out a totally different side I wasn't accustomed to.

"No one's blaming you." Mikey smiled to me then cast a glare to Gerard. "I already know it's Gerard's fault."

"Hey, don't assume things." Gerard whacked his brother on the shoulder with the back of his hand.

"Okay, then whose fault was it?" Mikey crossed his arms and shifted his weight to one leg.

"Well...It was mine," the elder Way admitted in a small voice, rolling his eyes, "But that still doesn't mean you should assume it is."

"Where did you get coffee?" Ray interjected before Mikey could throw back another remark.

"Well, since somebody," Gerard emphasized, his eyes flashing toward Bob who slunk down in his seat, "broke the coffee maker, I had to go get another and some coffee at Starbucks."

"And you're poor, Julie; how'd you get coffee?" Shelly teased with a lighthearted grin on her face, pointing to my cup. I rolled my eyes with a small smile, ignoring her jab at my money supply.

"Gerard gave me one of the ones he bought," I answered, nodding to Gerard who stood to my right. Shelly's joking expression slowly whipped off her face, along with everyone else who got eerily quiet. My eyes danced around the room, looking from person to person, wondering what I said to get such a reaction.

"Gerard did?" Bob spoke, breaking the silence.

"No, I lied. I had freaking Martha Stewart whip one up for me."

"Seriously?" Bob gasped, his eyes wide with excitement. I groaned at his gullibility.

"No," I answered flatly, looking at him strangely. "Gerard got it for me."

"Wait, Gerard gave you his coffee?" Mikey re-asked, looking at me skeptically.

"Yes," I repeated, not understanding what the big deal was.

"As in my brother, Gerard?"

"Yes!"

"Wow, Gerard," Mikey sounded amazed, clapping his brother on the back. "I think that's the first time you've shared your coffee. Good for you!"

"Yeah, whatever," Gerard grumbled, shrugging Mikey away. I chuckled a little and looked toward Shelly, who I thought would find it amusing, but judging by her glare she developed throughout the conversation, I guess she didn't. I sent her a questioning look, that she simply narrowed her eyes at, accenting her lucid glower. I then peered around the room again, noticing the grins spread across Mikey, Ray, and Bob's faces, contradicting Shelly's appearance.

Uh- What in the hell? Did I miss something?