Chapter 22 – Can’t Stop Thinking About Her (Gerard’s POV)

I lay on my bed and wait till my alarm on my clock rings 7.30am. Clock finally goes off. I turn it off and sit up. I’m so tired I didn’t get any sleep cause I can’t stop thinking about her. What the hell am I to do? She hasn’t called me and I’m kinda worried. I walk into the living room and find Mikey lying on the couch asleep.
“Mikey” I say trying to wake him.
“Gerard go away,” he says to me still sorta unconscious.
I push him off the couch.
“Man Gerard, You can’t ever let me have a good dream can you?” he yells at me.
“What about then?” I say with a smirk.
“Jac…” he say but trails off.
I look at him and start smiling.
“JACK” he says.
“You have been giving me a hard time all this time over Jacquie and you like her” I say.
“NO I SAID JACK” he says quickly and quite loudly.
“Are you gay then?” I ask with a laugh.
“NO” he yells.
“Shh, you're gonna wake mum gaybo” I say.
“Shut up, I’m not gay” Mikey says “And I only like Jacquie as a friend”.
“Sure sure” I reply and walk into the kitchen and I start making myself a coffee.
“Mikey wanna coffee” I ask.
“Yeah” he replies.
I hear footsteps coming into the living room.
“Morning mum, how are you?” I hear Mikey say.
“Morning, I’m alright” My mum says.
“Coffee Mum?” I ask
“Thanks darling” she replies.
I finish making the coffees and bring them out.
“Thanks” Mikey and my mum say.
I take my coffee and go in my room.
I sit on my bed and stare at my phone. I start taking sips of my coffee. I stop and look at my book of drawings, I go over to it and start flipping though till I find the one I did of Jacquie. It was pretty but not as pretty as Jacquie. I close the book and finish my coffee. I get my clothes out for school. Which was Black skinny jeans and shirt with a vampire on it. This shirt was one of Jacquie’s Favorites. I pick my clothes up and walk to the bathroom and place them on the vanity. I then have a shower.

After shower…
I get out and dry myself. I fix my hair up and put on my clothes. I take out the laundry and walk back in my room and get my stuff ready for school.
“Aww MAN” I hear Mikey yell.
I walk out and to Mikey’s room.
“What wrong Mikester?” I ask him.
“My shirt is pink,” he says.
I look at the pink shirt he is holding.
“Isn’t that the shirt Jacquie likes of yours” I say to him.
“Yeah, well you're wearing the one she likes as well” he replies.
“Touché” I say to him.
He smiles. I smile back at him.
“How about her other favorite?” I ask.
“Yeah I guess” he say throwing the pink shirt on his bed and walking over to his closet and looking through it, He pulls out another shirt, It has a skateboard on it.
I walk out and grab the now pink shirt. I walk to mum.
“Can you make this white again?” I ask her.
“Yeah” she says taking it out of my hands “Isn’t this Mikey’s?”
“Yeah, Fix it for him” I say.
I walk into my room and get my bag.
“Bye” I yell to everyone.
“Bye” they reply.
I walk out the house and then I walk next door to Matt’s.
I knock on the door.
Matt opens it and closes it behind him.
“Hey” he says “Any word from Jac?”
“Nah, not yet” I say.
“Okay” he says.
We walk over to Ray’s. We find him talking to Lucy on his driveway.
“About time” he says jokingly.
“Hey” Lucy says.
“Hi” Matt replies.
“Yeah” I say.
“What’s up Gerard?” Ray asks me.
“Noth…” I say but am cut off by Matt “He’s upset Jacquie hasn’t called him yet”.
“Oh” Ray says.
“I’m sure she will call soon” Lucy says.
“Okay” I say.
We walk over to Paula’s. Matt goes to knock on the door but Paula opens the door before he can.
“Hey honey” she says and kisses him.
“Hey” Matt replies and kisses her back.
“Hey everyone” she says.
“Hey” we all reply.
We walk off to school. I feel kinda left out since Paula and Matt were holding hands and so was Ray and Lucy. ‘Loner AGAIN’ I think to myself. When we arrive at school up comes Ryan as usual.
“Hey guys” he says.
“Get lost” I say to him.
“What did I do … LONER?” he says obviously wanting me to bite back.
It worked “WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY?” I yell at him.
“I said what did I do…” he smirked “Loner?”
I glare at him and clench my fists.
“Gerard don’t dude this guy is a waste of time” Matt says.
“Loner Loner Loner” Ryan taunts.
“Shut up Ryan” I say as calm as I could.
“L…O…N…E…R SPELLS loner” he says.
I drop my bag and walk up closer to him. He backs away a bit.
He smiles again “What Jacquie not here because she couldn’t stand the sight of you?” he says.
“Gerard don’t bite okay” Ray says.
I take his advice in a way. I turn around and pick up my bag and walk out of the school.
“Gerard you gotta stop doing this” Matt yells to me as I walk off.
I stop and turn and look at him.
“Then let me bash this little whimp and I won’t go” I say.
“You know violence isn’t the answer Gerard” Ray says.
“Then what is?” I yell “Talking?”
“Yes it is” Ray replies.
“You know Jacquie didn’t like violence, you know why she only used it when she was younger” Matt says.
“Whatever, Tell them I’m gonna be in later” I say and walk off. I ignore whatever they say and keep walking.


(Matts POV)
“Gerard come back” I yell to him.
He just keeps walking. I turn to Ryan who was now looking at me.
“Why the hell do you wind him up all the time?” I ask.
“Cause you guys won’t let me hang with you” he says.
“I wonder why?” Paula says sarcastically.
“Could you just leave us alone please?” I ask.
“Fine, I’ll get better friends and you’ll see I will be back on top of the school again” he says walking off.
I get out my phone and call Gerard.
I wait and then finally he answers.

“Dude come back” I say.
“I’ll be back around 2nd period okay” he says and hangs up.

“Okay apparently Gerard will be back around 2nd period” I say to everyone.
“Did he say what he was doing?” Lucy asks.
“Nope” I reply.
Bell rings.
“Okay see ya later” I say and we all walk to class.

2nd period… (Gerard POV)
I walk into Art class late.
“Sorry sir” I say to my art teacher.
“Okay Gerard go sit down” he says.
I sit right at the back where Jacquie and I use to sit. Jacquie’s little drawing of a skateboard was still there. I smile as I see it.
Kayley sits next to me.
“Heya Gerald” she says.
“Its Gerard” I say.
“Whatever, sorry about you and Jacquie” she says.
“What?” I ask surpised.
“I’m sorry about you scaring Jacquie off” she says with a laugh.
“I didn’t scare her off, Her mum wanted to live in Australia so she had no choice but to go” I say quite angrily.
“Yeah, Yeah sounds like that other girl all over again” she says rolling her eyes.
“Who did you get all this crap off?” I ask
“Ryan” she says.
“He is a liar” I say.
She gets up “whatever” she says and walks over to her friends again. Ryan is really pissing me off now.

Lunch…
I walk over to our spot. Everyone is already there.
“You okay now Gerard?” Matt asks.
“Not really, Ryan has began spreading rumors” I say.
“Great he is back to his tricks again” Matt says.
“Now can I bash him?” I ask.
Matt glares at me. Obviously a no.
“You can’t go around bashing people” Ray says “But you can have revenge” he says evilly.
“Yeah” I say.


(Jacquie’s POV) at 9am (6pm New Jersey)
I wake up and get some clothes out of my closet. And walk to the bathroom and have a shower. When I finish I dry myself and put my clothes on and take the laundry out. I walk into the living room.
“Morning Jacquie” Mark says.
“Morning where is mum?” I ask.
“She is asleep” he says “She told me to take you shopping is that okay?”
“Umm okay” I say.
I put on my chucks and Mark and I get into his car, He starts the engine and we drive off into the city. We go past heaps of shops. I smile as we go by a couple of what look to be Goth shops. OH MY GOD Australia likes Goths woo! We arrive at a big shopping center and he parks the car and We both get out and go inside the shopping center.
“So what do you want to get first?” he asks.
“Phone!” I practically yell at him.
“Okay” he says taking me to a phone shop.
“Choose any phone” he says.
I look though the phones. I find a black one I really like.
“That one?” I ask “Oh wait that’s a bit expensive”
“Too late your getting it” he says “I’m paying no biggie”
“Okay” I say not really believing he was gonna such an expensive phone.
I walk out the shop with my brand new phone.
“Oh my god I can’t believe you got me this” I say to him.
“okay well we need to get you some credit for it” he says.
We go to a shop and he buys me $50 credit.
“$50 that’s heaps” I say to him.
“Really?” he asks “Think about all the credit you're gonna spend calling Gerard”
“I thought you didn’t like him?” I ask.
“Hey your mum doesn’t like him, but to me when I saw him he seemed very into you so I really don’t have a problem” he says.
“Aww thanks” I say really happy that he had accepted the fact I liked Gerard.
We continued shopping.

(Gerard’s POV again)
“Dude it’s alright I found out something that’s gonna put your mind to rest” Ray says.
“What?” I ask tensely.
“If you have a phone from America and you take it to Australia you can’t call on it or txt but you can still receive messages” He says.
“Really?” I ask happily.
“Yeah” he says.
“Okay” I say, “Thank makes me feel better”.
I sit back and relax.


7pm New Jersey (10am Sydney) (still Gerard)
My phone rings. We all look at it. (Calling: Unknown). I pick up the phone.
“Hello” I ask.
“Hey Gee Gee” Jacquie says.
“Oh my god Hi” I say really happy.
Everyone looks at me and smiles. I look at them as if to say what and then I walk outside.
“How are you?” she asks.
“I’m great now, What about you?” I ask.
“I’m super, Mark is really awesome he bought me my new phone and its like super expensive and he bought me clothes and OH MY GOD he likes you, But my mum doesn’t” she says.
“Cool well everything but your mum” I say “Why does Mark like me?”
“He reckons you're … nice or something he said that you looked like you were really into me or something,” she says with a laugh.
“Awesome” I reply.
“Yeah, It’s school holidays over here it’s kinda weird and OH MY GOD they like Goths well I think they do they seem to have a lot of goth shops” she say.
“Cool, What type of school?” I ask.
“It’s a performing arts school” she says with a sigh.
“What’s bad about that?” I ask.
“Umm hello snob’s much” she says.
“Don’t worry about it” I say.
“Meh I think I go to school next week or something” she says “Oh yeah and Mark is gonna get me a laptop”
“Awesome” I say.
“Clearly” she says and then giggles. Man how I missed her laugh.
“I miss you heaps” I say.
“Oh my god miss you heaps more” she says
I turn around and see everyone looking at me from the door.
I laugh.
“What you laughing at?” she asks.
“Matt and everyone are watching me talking to you” I say.
She laughs.
“Tell ‘em I said HI” she says.
I wave to everyone to come over. They walk over.
“Say hello” I whisper to everyone.
Everyone nods.
“Ready, set, GO” I yell
“HELLO” they yell into the phone.
“HI” I hear Jacquie yell and the laugh.
Everyone laughs.
I put the phone back to my ear and shoo everyone off. Everyone but Mikey leaves.
“So doing much?” she asks.
“Not really” I say. I shoo Mikey off again, He looks at me and then walks off.
“So” she says “OH yeah I got your surprise”
“Like it?” I ask.
“Nope” she says.
“Why?” I asked really surprised.
“I LOVED IT SILLY, I got it framed and it’s in my room on my desk” she says and then lets out a giggle.
I laugh too.
“Aww man I gotta go see ya Gee Gee OH MY GOD I love that nickname” she says.
I laugh.
“Well okay see ya” I say.
She hangs up.
I walk back in with probably one of the biggest smiles on my face. Everyone looks at me. I try to stop smiling but its worthless I can’t stop.
“So what happened lil’ Gee?” Matt asks.
“Nothing” I try to say making it sound normal but instead making it sound like a real big something.
“Your face doesn’t say that” Ray says.
“Okay” I say finally managing to stop smiling.
I sit down on the couch with everyone still looking at me.
“So what did you talk about?” Paula asks.
“Not much” I say and smile again, then stop myself.
Ray raises his eyebrow.
“I’m serious” I say.
“Yep sure lover boy” Lucy says.
Everyone laughs.
“Okay well I’m going back to my place Mikey wanna come over or stay?” I ask.
“I’m gonna come” Mikey replies.
“You don’t know how wrong that sounded” Matt says.
We all laugh and Mikey goes a little red.
“Bye” I say.

Mikey and I walk out and walk to our place. We go inside and he follows me into my room.
“What’s up Mikey?” I ask.
“How’s Jacquie?” he asks.
“She’s good” I say.
“Yeah, so umm what did you talk about?” Mikey asks.
“Umm not much, just random stuff” I say
“Okay” he says and walks out the room.
I shake my head, and go and continue with a drawing I was doing before and go to bed when I’m done.

Chapter 21 – In Australia **19 hours later … {OH MY GOD LONG TIME lol}** (Jacquie’s POV)

We get off the plane and walk to get our bags, We look around for Mark, We find him.
“OH MY GOD Jacquie there he is,” she says.
She leaves me with the bags and runs up to him and hugs him.
I roll my eyes and pull her bags and my bags over to him.
“Hey Jacquie” he says and tries to hug me. I pull away from him and glare at him.
“What’s up with her?” he asks mum.
“Oh she likes some guy who’s a freak and I said he was and now she pissy” she replies.
OH MY GOD why is my mum talking about me like that.
“Stupid bitch” I say under my breath.
He obviously hears me and looks at me and then takes Mums bags and leaves me with mine to carry to his car. Well I hope it’s a car I don’t wanna be stuck in like a truck or something. We walk to a really nice car that turns out to be his. He opens the boot and puts our bags in. Then closes it and opens the door for me.
“What a gentleman” mum says to me.
I roll my eyes as he does the same for her, I get in the car and close the door, Mum and him get in the car too. I put my seatbelt on and so do they and we drive away, I look at the building as we go by them.
“So where exactly do you live?” my mum asks.
“You’ll see,” he says.
“Picked out a school for Jac?” she asks.
“Well there’s a nice Performing Arts school really close to where I live,” he says.
I roll my eyes. ‘Great a posh school just what I need’ I think to myself.
“By the way in Australia we have primary school and high school you're in high school cause high school is years 7-12” he says to me.
“I don’t care I perfer New Jersey” I say.
“Jacquie stop it” mum yells at me.
I go back to looking out the window. We begin to drive up a driveway.
“Whoa is that your house?” mum asks.
“Yeah” he replies.
I look out the house. It was big and one of the most beautiful houses I had ever seen. OH MY GOD is this guy rich?
“Umm Mark are you … Rich?” I ask.
“Not rich, but I do have a lot of money” he says.
“So you're rich?” I ask again.
“Fine rich, but not really” he says.
He pushes a button and the garage door opens. And he parks the car inside. We all get out and he opens the boot and carries a couple of bags as do mum and I. We go through a door into a hallway, which leads to the living room. I look around this place was so modern.
“Okay Jacquie your room is the last room on the left” Mark says.
“Okay” I reply and walk to the door of my new room.
I slowly open the door and look inside. The room was way bigger than the one in New Jersey and this time it was black! The colour I always wanted my room to be.
“OH MY GOD” I yell putting my bags on the ground.
“I’m guessing you like your room” Mark says standing in the doorway.
“Yes, Is this like the only black room in the house?” I ask him.
“Yeah, I got this room painted when I got back since I know you always wanted a black room” he says to me.
“Oh my god thanks” I say and then hug him.
I quickly stop and back a fair bit off.
‘Did I just hug him?’ I ask myself.
He turns and walks away.
‘Why the hell did I hug him?’ I ask myself over and over.
“Oh well” I say aloud.
I start unpacking. And then a thought of Gerard pops into my head. I run out to mum.
“Can I call Gerard?” I ask.
“It’s too late” she tells me.
“Damn” I say.

I go back into my room and look for my phone in my bag. I find it and turn it on. (3 new messages) I begin to read them.

Matt: Hey Jac, We found Gee and he told us everything, Now he won’t shut up about ya look what you have started jokes.

Ray: So you in Aus yet?

Gerard: I miss you, did you get my surprise yet, call me when you can, Luv Gee gee.
‘Gee gee’ I say to myself with a laugh ‘Aww that’s so cute, but what does he mean surprise?’
I try to txt back but it won’t let me.
“Umm why isn’t my phone working?” I ask.
“You need to get a new phone when you’re here, We can go shopping tomorrow and I will get you and your mum and new one” Mark replies.
“But I want to txt Gerard” I say to him.
“You're gonna have to wait” he says.
‘Damn another set back’ I say to myself.
I walk back into my room and continue unpacking. I go back into my bag and find a piece of paper. I open it up. OH MY GOD IT’S A DRAWING OF GERARD’S IT SO AWESOME. I turn it over to see some writing: Dear Jacquie, I’m gonna miss you heaps, and I know I will see you again sometime and I will still love you as much as I do now I promise, Love Gerard.
‘Awww I wanna see Gerard right now’ I think to myself.
“Do you have a photo frame that would fit a A4 piece of paper?” I yell out to Mark.“Yeah” he says.
I walk out and go up to him.
“Can I please have it?” I ask really nicely.
“Sure” he says and walks into a room and comes back with a frame.
“Here ya go,” he says. I take it from him.
“Thanks” I say and quickly go back in my room and put the picture in the frame and set it on the table in my room.
Yet again I start unpacking. I swear if I have to stop again I’m just gonna stop and not start for like an hour. I laugh to myself. I find my skateboard yay, BUT no not gonna stop. I put it next to my door. I start pulling my clothes out and put them into the closet and drawers. When I finish its just other stuff I’ve brought such as my drawing pads and art stuff. I place it on the table and in the other drawers. That’s it I can’t be bothered doing anymore.

I walk out and find Mark cooking.
“Watchya cooking?” I ask.
“Steak and chips” he replies.
“Right” I say, “So do you have a TV?”
“Yeah it’s over there,” he says pointing to another room.
“You mean this isn’t the living room?” I ask.
“Nope more like a family/dining room” he says.
“Umm okay” I say and walk into the other room supposedly the living room.
“Do you need help working it?” he asks.
I look at the TV it was massive.
“Umm yeah I think,” I say.
He comes in and pushes a couple of random buttons and the TV turns on.
“Okay this button changes the channels this one changes the volume and that’s about all you need,” he says. Passing me the remote.

A while later…
Mum had finished unpacking and was watching TV with me.
“Dinner's ready” Mark tells us.
We walk out and sit in the dining room. Mark comes around with our food.
“Thanks” I say as he gives me mine.
I begin eating and so does mum, Mark gets his and joins us. It’s quiet until mum breaks the silence.
“So when do you wanna start school?” he asks me.
“Never” I reply
“Jacquie” mum says a little annoyed by my answer.
I shrug at her.
“Well we have to enroll you sooner or later” Mark says.
“Sooner definately, really soon” my mum says.
“Well at the moment I believe that everyone’s on holidays” Mark says.
“Okay good” I say.
“Well okay anyway you girls probably need some stuff so we are definately going shopping tomorrow right?” Mark says.
“Right” I say. ‘Let’s see if Australia likes Goths’ I think to myself.
“Okay then” Mark says.
Then it goes silent yet again.

We all finish dinner and I go and watch TV again but get bored and go in my room.
I start drawing some random stuff. First the buildings of the city, then I tried drawing a plane but that stuffed up, then I tried drawing this house but stuffed up and got angry and then I tried drawing Gerard. I tried so hard but no matter how hard I tried the drawing just didn’t look like him. It looked imperfect and I wanted a picture of him that actually looked like him. I gave up and decided to go to bed I was tired cause I couldn’t fall asleep on the plane. So it was easy to fall asleep.

Chapter 20 – Going To Australia WOOPIE! not (Jacquie’s POV)

“Hey Jacquie, oh my god we are going to Australia” My mum squeals to me.
“Whatever” I reply waking up fully.
“By the way why are you here? I thought you were gonna stay over your friends” she asks me.
“Oh I came over to get something and fell asleep I guess, I better go over and say bye and stuff,” I say.
“Okay” mum says and then skips out my room.
“Idiot” I say under my breath.
I get changed into some clothes and apply some make-up.

I walk out of the house and start walking to Matt’s. I go to knock on the door but the door opens before I could.
“Hey” Ray says quietly.
“Hey” I say going inside “Everyone sleeping?”
“Yeah” he says.
I walk over to my bag and pick it up.
I hug Ray.
“See ya I will miss you so much” I say.
“Aren’t you gonna say bye to everyone?” he ask me.
“No, I don’t think I’m gonna be able to” I reply.
“It would mean so much to them,” he says.
“I know but everyone would be awake and I certainly don’t wanna talk to Gerard at the moment” I say.
Ray pulls out the hug.
“Jacquie” he says to me.
“Don’t,” I say back to him.
“HEY EVERYONE JACQUIE’S HERE” he yells.
“I hate you so much right now,” I say to him.
“I know,” he says with a smirk.
Everyone slowly comes into room still rather sleepy.
“I’m gonna miss you” Frankie says. He hugs me.
“I’m gonna miss you too Frankie” I say hugging him back.
“See ya Jacs” Matt says giving me a quick hug.
“Promise to email?” Mikey asks.
“Yes Mikey” I say.
“Well I’m gonna miss ya too” Mikey says.
“Me too” I say almost in tears. I normally didn’t care if I was leaving anywhere but this was different I had heaps of friends here.
Paula and Lucy hug me at the same time. They were practically like sisters now well kinda.
“OH MY GOD I don’t want you to leave” Lucy says.
“OH MY GOD If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have a boyfriend, I’m so gonna miss you” Paula says.
“I’m gonna miss you guys too” I say.
Gerard enters the room from the bathroom. My heart skips a beat and the room goes silent. He looked in a bad state. His eyes were red and so were his cheeks.
Ray taps me on my shoulder.
“I told him when he woke up and he went in the bathroom and I couldn’t get him out,” Ray says to me quietly.
“Okay everyone Bye” I say and quickly take my bag and go to the door to leave. I walk out but I’m not alone Gerard has followed me.

I run to the house and go inside and lock the door.
“Jacquie, I’m real sorry,” he yells.
“Go away, I don’t wanna talk to you,” I yell to him.
I run to my room and pack the last of my stuff listening to Gerard’s calls for me to talk to him and let him in. He finally stops. I start crying but I stop myself. I walk to the mirror and fix up my make up. My phone rings. I look at it (calling: Gerard). I hang it up. And then a couple of minutes later I get a txt. (Déjà vu much).

I take my stuff out to the car and put it in the boot.
“So Kerrie’s keeping our car?” I ask mum.
“Yeah Mark’s buying me a new car in Australia” she says with a little giggle.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mum so happy in my life. I guess it was a good thing… I hope it was.
Jimmy and Kerrie come out of the house and get into the car.
“Why are they coming?” I ask
“Someone needs to drive it back silly” mum replies.
I get into the front seat. And so does mum, Mum starts the engine and puts her seatbelt on and so do I. She drives it off the driveway and down the road. We go past Matt’s and my friends are there. They wave to me but Matt runs up to the car. Mum stops. I open the door and Matt gives me my board.
“Thanks Matt, I nearly forgot” I say.
“Okay see ya,” he says.
I look at my friends and realize Gerard isn’t there.
“Where’s Gerard?” I ask.
“I dunno we saw him go home and that’s it” he replies.
“Okay see ya Matt, Tell everyone bye for me” I say to him.
“Okay bye” he says.
I close the door and pass the skateboard to Jimmy. I wind the window down and wave to everyone.
Mum drives off.

Airport…
We arrive and I get out and look around and stretch my legs and take my luggage out of the back and get my skateboard and shove it inside my bag. Mum does the same and we go inside. We go though customs.
“Jacquie” I hear some yell.
I turn around and see Gerard.
“Oh my god did you come all this way to see me?” I ask.
“Yeah” he says running to me “I love you and I’m so sorry Jacquie I truly am”.
“Oh Gerard” I say and hug him “I could never be mad at you, it’s so hard to be”
“I love you so much” he says.
I kiss him straight on the lips. This time it felt more loving.
He pulls out and smiles at me.
“Why did you stop?” I teased him.
He kissed me put this time he frenched me.
“Whoa get a room,” Jimmy says.
I stop and glare at him. Jimmy backs off a bit. I French Gerard back.
“Honey we gotta go” my mum says to me. But I continue kissing him. He pulls out again.
“So you love me?” he asks.
“Hell yes” I say and kiss him.
“I’ll call you whenever I can and txt you and email you” he says.
“Same” I say and kiss him.
“Bye” he says.
I start crying.
“Bye” I say. He hugs me tightly. And I feel a tear run my neck. Oh my god he was crying too.
“Aww gee I don’t wanna go,” I say.
“Don’t worry I promise I will see you as soon as possible” he says.
I hug him tighter.
“Bye” I say.
“Bye” he says.
We let go and my mum and me walk over to the plane. I begin to cry again . I stop and run back to Gerard and hug him.
“I’m gonna miss you so much” I say.
“Me too” he says.
I kiss him one last time and join up with my mum, I wave and walk onto the plane, I sit with my mum, She tries to calm me down.
“Jacquie it’s alright okay we are only on the plane for a couple of hours” she says thinking I’m upset about being on the plane.
“It’s not about the fucken plane it’s the fact I just left the guy I love in America and I’m not gonna see him for a long time” I say to her.
“Oh that guy you kissed?” she asks.
“Yes” I say happily cause she noticed.
“That guy is like a total freak you can do better,” she says to me.
My jaw drops.
“You b...., get the hell away from me” I say to her.
“Honey, it’s true I mean come on he’s like a loser and you are … nice,” she says.
“You have never said I am pretty, let me rephrase you can’t say I’m pretty cause you hate having a goth for a daughter” I say really pissed off. I ignore whatever she says to me for the rest of the flight and just look out the window.

Chapter 19 – THE EVE AND PARTY **6 days later (tomorrow I leave for Australia {in story})** (Jacquie's POV)

9pm…
(Party at Matt’s {everyone’s there except parents and relatives etc.)
“Oh my god thanks for the party guys,” I say to everyone.
“Welcome” Matt says.
“Bring on the alcohol” Gerard yells.
“Hell Yeah” I yell.
Gerard pours drinks for everyone.
Frankie brings out his guitar from Matt’s room.
“Here’s a song I’m making up on the spot” he says.
♪♫♪“Jacquie is awesome, but she is leaving so we are having a party and a Jacquie party never stops”♪♫♪ he says jokingly.
“Great song lets get it published,” I say
♪♫♪“Jacquie I haven’t finished, Whoa she is awesome and this party is awesome so something awesome plus something awesome equals…EXTREME AWESOMENESS” ♪♫♪ he continues.
“Okay stop you suck at making songs on the spot” Matt says.
“Like to see you do better” Frankie says.
“Okay” he says.
He walks over to the stereo. And looks though CD’s he picks one out looks at it and puts it on and then changes it to a track.
I immediately know the song and who its by. Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns and Roses. Why the hell this song?
♪♫♪“She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of so many memories
Where everything
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that happy place
And if I stared too long
I'd probably have a party and get high

Whoa Jacquie’s so fine
Whoa oh oh oh Jacquie’s so fine

She's got eyes of the bluest skies
As if they thought of rain
I love to look into those eyes
And see an ounce of fame
Her hair reminds me of a awesome place
Where as a child I'd hide
And pray for the thunder
And the rain
To quietly come right by

Whoa Jacquie’s so fine
Whoa oh oh oh Jacquie’s so fine

Where do we go
Where do we go now
Where do we go
Jacquie’s so fine” ♪♫♪ he sings.

He walks over and turns off the stereo.
“That was … coolish” I reply.
“You win this time,” Frankie says. And puts his guitar back into Matt’s.
We all refill our drinks including Matt who skulled his when he finished singing.

11pm…
Yet again Matt is drunk on yet another party night. But this time he is more controlled. But someone has joined him. But who you may ask? Ray? No. Frankie? No. Mikey? Getting warmer. Gerard? Yes surprisingly. I didn’t think he was the type to get drunk. You think you know a person and then they surprise you.
“Gerard why are you awesome?” Matt asks drunkenly.
“I dunno why?” Gerard replies.
“Cause you know me” Matt says.
The two burst into laughter.
“I normally laugh at anything and everything but I don’t see how that was funny,” I say.
“You wouldn’t know unless you’re drunk,” Ray says.
“Oh I see alcohol madness” I say with a giggle.
“More like alcohol stupidness” he says.
We both laugh.
“Matt honey stop it” Paula says to Matt telling him to stop drinking.
“But its fun” he slurs.
“If I finish your drink will you stop?” she asks.
“Fine” he replies handing her his drink.
She drinks it and takes the glass to the kitchen.
“Have you ever seen Gerard drunk before?” I ask Ray.
“Yeah, it can be funny but sometimes it can be quite… tragic” he says.
“Oh what do you mean tragic?” I ask.
“Umm nothing” he says quickly.
“Ray” I say
“Well he can be hard to control and make a fool of himself,” he says regretting the words coming out of his mouth “Umm when he’s sober don’t tell him I said that okay, In fact forget what I just said”.
He walks over to Lucy and gives her a cuddle. She cuddles him back. I look at Matt trying to dance. I giggle at the sight.
“You know you have a very cute laugh” I turn and see Gerard right behind me.
“No I don’t,” I say blushing.
“You do,” He says.
I smile and blush more.
“And the cutest smile” he says.
“Stop it your drunk you don’t mean it” I say.
“I do mean it,” he says.
“Nah” I say.
“You’re the most prettiest girl I’ve ever met,” he says.
“Not true” I say.
Matt comes over to us and listens in on the conversation.
“And I’ve loved you ever since the day I met you” Gerard says.
“I don’t believe you, you’re drunk,” I say.
“Nope it’s all true he LOVES you” Matt says.
“No he doesn’t,” I say starting to become convinced maybe he does.
“FINE DON’T BELIEVE HIM BUT ITS TRUE, ANYWAYS LETS SEE IF I CAN SKATEBOARD” Matt yells. And then tries running outside tripping over then getting up and going outside finally.
“Matt you're gonna hurt yourself” Paula yells running after him.
We all walk after them.
“Matt’s so gonna stack” Mikey says to Frankie.
Frankie laughs.

We watch Matt trying to get on the skateboard. It’s really amusing because he keeps missing the board. He thinks he is on the board and tries to push himself along.
We all start laughing. Matt finally realizes he is not on the board and tries to get on it again. This time he succeeds for about 3 seconds and then falls over. Paula goes up to him and helps him up. We all sit on the driveway. Gerard sits right next to me. I look at him and he is looking at me.
“Why are you looking at me?” I ask.
“You look so beautiful in the moonlight,” he says.
“Stop it” I reply.
“OOOOO GERARD’S IN LOVE” Mikey yells.
“Damn straight” he says.
I feel myself starting to blush.
‘Oh god I do love him’ I think to myself. I get up and go inside. Gerard follows me.
I look though my bag.
“What are you doing?” he asks me.
“I’m getting some money, I’m gonna buy myself a drink from the shop” I say.
“There’s heaps of drinks here,” he says.
“I wanna get a special drink,” I say.
“Can I come with?” he asks.
“Yeah I guess,” I say.
We walk out the door.
“We are going to the shops be right back” Gerard says.


We walk to the shops and we go inside and I look around at the drinks they have.
“What one are you looking for?” he asks.
“I can’t remember what it’s called but I know what it looks like, it’s like red and it’s a soft drink,” I say.
“Raspberry?” he asks.
“Nope” I reply.
“Ooo is it ummm CREAMING SODA?” he asks.
“Oh my god yes that’s it” I say.
He points to a drink. It’s creaming soda right in front of me geez I’m blind. I take it from the shelf and walk to the counter and pay for it.

We walk out the shop.
“So umm Jacquie do you umm like me?” he asks kinda nervously.
“Well yeah as a friend” I say also nervously.
We continue to walk in silence.
About halfway to Matt’s place he stops and pulls me into a hug and then he kisses me. I kiss back I couldn’t help it. He stops.
“So you do like me?” he says playfully.
“No, I just can’t resist a kiss” I say very unconvincing.
I try to pull away but he doesn’t let me and tries to kiss me again.
“Gerard no” I say even though I did want to kiss him.
“Come on I know you like it” he says. I finally break free of his grip.
“Your drunk, very drunk!” I yell at him.
I walk off quickly. Gerard follows.
“Jacquie, I’m sorry,” he says.
“Leave me alone” I yell to him.
“Jacquie I love you I’m sorry,” he yells.
“Lies” I say.

I run off making my way past Matt’s without anyone there noticing and running to the park and sitting on the bench. I watch Gerard look around for me and then go into Matt’s. I begin to cry. I didn’t know he was like that I never saw it in him to be like that. I start to remember all the good times I’ve had with Gerard. Oh my god there was always that love spark. But I guess I was to blind to see it. Now it was too late I was leaving. I look over to Matt’s and everyone started walking out of the house obviously about to go searching for me. I rub tears away. I look my hands and see my make-up all over them. Great smudged make-up this is gonna look great trying to go home. I see Matt and Paula go walking my way. I duck from sight. They walk past the park and keep going. I hear Gerard calling my name. I try to ignore it but it gets too much and I begin to cry harder.

Ray walks into the park. Oh crap he is gonna find me. Ray is looking around and then finally catches a glimpse of me and walks over. I make myself stop crying.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
I nod.
“What happened?” he asks.
I sit up. And then Gerard sees me and comes over. I get up and walk off.
“Please Jacquie I’m sorry” he yells to me.
This catches everyone’s attention and everyone makes their way over.
I continue walking. Gerard follows. I begin running and go to the front of my place and get my skateboard. And I run back on the road and skate off. Gerard is still coming after me. I begin to cry again, Tears stream down my face.
I hear Gerard stop running, I stop and look at him, He looks at me, I turn away and continue. I look over my shoulder to see him walk in the other direction. I stop and wait till he walks into the house. Everyone but Ray follows him he stays waiting for me to go by. I deicide to skate over to him either way he was gonna stop me. When I get to him I get off my board.

“Are you gonna tell me what happened or am I gonna wait till Gerard is sober?” he asks.
I nod.
“Well he kissed me and then he wouldn’t let me go and then he tried to kiss me again but I broke free,” I say.
“Oh” he says, “I’m guessing he is really regretting that”
“He doesn’t love me he just drunk,” I say even though I knew this was false, I knew I was trying to convince myself though.
“He loves you Jacquie he told us ages ago but he couldn’t get the courage to ask you” Ray replies.
“Whatever I’m going to bed I’ll be over in the morning to get my bag and I will say bye” I say “Bye for now”
“Bye” he says.

I walk off carrying my board. I walk into my house and go into my room. ‘Thank god everyone was asleep’ I think to myself as I look in the mirror and see my make up messed up.
I wipe it all off as much as I can. And just fall on my bed and try to sleep. I can’t sleep, I loved Gerard, I loved him all along. Now he’s done that I feel hurt. I realize my drink is still in the park. Damn that could of helped. My phone rings, Why the hell was it here I’m pretty sure it was in my bag at Matt’s. I go to my phone as quickly as I can (Calling: Gerard). No way was I gonna answer it. I cancel the call. I start thinking about him but stop myself. Then I get a txt from him. It reads: Hey Jac, I’m really sorry, luv Gee. I start crying. I chuck my phone on the table and cry myself to sleep.

Chapter 18 – **2 Weeks later** Bye Bye Mark Or Not! (Jacquie's POV)

I wake up and walk into the living room and then into the kitchen and pour myself a drink of water. I walk back into the living room and sit on the couch. I begin drinking and think about stuff. Mark? WAIT OMG HE IS GOING BACK TO AUSTRALIA TODAY! Oh mum is gonna be crushed. I decide to cook breakfast for everyone. I go into the kitchen and begin to cook up some eggs and bacon. Mark walks in.
"Hey Jacquie" he says
"Hey Mark" I reply
"I was wondering do you like Australia?" he asks
"Umm it's alright but I perfer it here" I say still cooking.
"Oh this is gonna be hard" he says under his breath but I hear him.
"Huh?" I ask turning around and facing him.
"Oh never mind" he says nervously.
He walks back into mum’s room. I continue cooking.

When I finish I set the table up really nicely. And put the food on the table.
"Breakfast everyone,” I yell.
Everyone comes over to the table and sits down.
Mark taps his glass.
"I have a question to ask the two most important people in my life at the moment" he says.
Mum looks at him confused.
"Okay" he says breathing in and then out "Would you two like to live with me in Australia?"
My mum smiles and hugs him. I am mortified. I don't want to leave New Jersey or America for that matter. OMG that’s why he asked me if I like Australia.
"So what do you say Jacquie?" Mark asks me.
"NO I LOVE IT HERE I'VE FOUND SOME FRIENDS AND I AM ENJOYING IT HERE" I yell.
"What?" my mum asks
"Come on you will like it in Australia, It's great lots of things you can draw and paint" Mark says trying to convince me.
"NO" I say walking to my room and slamming the door.
I fall on my bed. Great I finally find a place where I like it and I gotta move. That’s just my luck.

Mum walks into my room.
"Young lady you are coming with me to Australia" she yells at me.
"NO I finally got some friends here and if I go to Australia I won't see them,” I yell back at her.
"Too bad your coming" she says
"I'm gonna stay here with Kerrie then" I say.
"No, Honey please come on in Australia we can have our own house and you will have other friends" she says to me quite calmly.
"Let me think...NO get out of my room" I yell at her.
Mark walks in.
"Both of you get out NOW" I yell.
"Don't speak to me like that,” Mum yells at me.
"Please Jacquie It will be fun I promise" Mark says to me.
I turn away "NO I like it here with Gerard, Matt, Ray, Frankie, Mikey, Lucy and Paula" I say.
"You will have more friends in Australia, Plus you can talk to your friends here over the Internet and call them on your phone" he says still trying to convince me.
"It won't be the same" I say, "Please just leave me alone"
They walk out the room and close the door. I get dressed. I guess I'm gonna have to tell everyone that I'm leaving. I really don't wanna leave. It's great here and I don't care if I have to live with Kerrie.

I walk out of my room. Everyone in the living room looks at me.
"I'm gonna go tell everyone I'm leaving" I say sadly holding back tears.
"Okay" Mum says happily.

I walk out the house and go to Gerard's first. I knock on the door. Gerard's Mum answers it.
"Hey, are you here for Gerard?" she asks.
"I'm here for Gerard, Mikey and possibly Frankie if he stayed over" I reply.
"Oh ok" she says. "Gerard, Mikey and Frankie, Jacquie is here,” she yells
They all come to the front door and are all dressed.
"Come we have to go get everyone" I say to them.
"Why?" Gerard asks.
"I wanna tell everyone something, all at once" I say to him.
We walk to Matt's and get him. Then to Ray's, then to Lucy's and then Paula's.
"Okay what is it?" Gerard asks.
I think of how I'm gonna say this.
"Well?" Matt hurries me.
"My mum's boyfriend Mark is going home to Australia today" I say.
"Yeah we know" Matt says.
"There's more" I breath in and then out "We will joining him sooner or later, I'm still not sure when"
"OMG NO" Gerard says. I can't hold it in. I begin to cry.
Gerard hugs me.
"Why do you have to leave?" Paula asks.
"My Mum won't let me stay here with Kerrie,” I say.
I wipe away some tears.
"You can't go" Frankie says.
"Yeah you can't you're like one of our best friends" Mikey says.
"I don't have a say in this I have to go" I say.
I wipe more tears away.
"That sucks" Lucy says.
"Hell yes" Ray adds
Gerard hugs me tighter. And I realize he is crying too.
"Gerard are you crying?" I ask
"No" he says really quietly.
He lets go of me and pretends to scratch his eyes.
"I'm gonna miss all of you so much" I say.
"We are so gonna miss you too" Paula says.
"Well I better see when I'm going" I say sadly "Cya"
"Bye" they all say.
I begin to walk back to mine with Gerard, Matt, Frankie and Mikey. And Lucy, Ray and Paula walk back to their places. We walk silently. I walk to my door and go inside.

(Gerard’s POV)
“Hey Gerard you okay?” Matt asks me.
“I’m fine” I say sarcastically.
“We have her phone number and we have her email address so we contact her seriously it will be fine” Matt says trying to make me feel better.
“Why didn’t I ask her when I had the chance, I mean there was plenty, like New Years Eve last year” I say.
“Do tell” Matt asks.


***************
Flash back
***************
It was night and Jacquie and I were sitting looking up at the stars waiting for Matt and Ray.
“Tonight seems so nice” Jacquie says.
“Yeah” I say
“I wish today would last for longer, I mean this year was great probably best year of my life” she says.
“Really?” I ask
“Yeah” she replies
“Well there’s something I have wanted to ask you ever since I met you” I say
“Really what?” she says.
“Umm …” I start very nervously.
She looks at me with her beautiful blue eyes that were twinkling in the moonlight.
“Do you like…….” I say but can’t seem to finish my sentence.
“Do I like what?” she asks.
“Umm New Jersey” I say quickly.
“Hell yeah” she says.
**************
Flash back ends
**************

“I chickened out, I just couldn’t ask her, I mean she is so pretty and I’m just… me,” I say.
“Don’t beat yourself up Gee, You are an awesome person okay, Yeah you should have asked her but don’t worry you will get plenty of other chances with girls” Matt says.
“Yeah, but I don’t want anyone other than Jacquie” I reply.
“I think we better get something to eat cause I know I’m starving” Matt says trying to lighten the mood.



(Jacquie’s POV)
“So when are we leaving my great life behind to get a crappy one?” I ask
“Jacquie stop it, Well anyway we are going to leave in a week” Mum replies.
“Can I please stay here” I ask hoping maybe just maybe mum will say yes.
“No” she says “That’s Final now stop asking me”.
“Okay I got to go in 5 minutes Honey” Mark calls out to mum.
I roll my eyes and go in my room.
“Say bye to Mark you won’t see him for a week” my mum says.
“NO” I yell.
I hated him; he knew I wanted to stay here.
Mark walked in my room.
“Cya Jacquie” he says.
I turn and glare at him.
“Do you know how much I hate you right now?” I ask him.
“You don’t hate me” he says.
“yes i do, get the hell outta my room” I say angrily.
“Don’t talk to me like that or I will tell your mum” he says.
“Go ahead I don’t care anymore” I say to him and sit on my bed.
He walks out of my room. I hear everyone saying bye then the front door open and close. Then I hear car doors open and close and the engine of mum’s car start and the car finally drive off. The front door opens again and closes. And then later a knock at my door.
I don’t answer.
Kerrie and Jimmy walk in. I look at them.
“Your mum probably doesn’t want us to tell you but we tried all we could to see if you could stay here” Jimmy says.
“Really?” I ask.
“Yeah, we know how much you like it here and well yeah” Kerrie says.
I get up and hug them.
“I love you guys,” I say.
I let go of them.
“Listen okay, you will love Australia believe me I’ve been” Jimmy says.
“But I don’t wanna leave here, I don’t wanna leave you guys or Gerard or any of my other friends” I say
“Yeah” Kerrie says.
“Lets go watch TV” I say trying to lighten the mood.
Jimmy nods and we all go and watch TV in the living room.

3 hours later …
Mum walks in.
“Whoa you took awhile” Kerrie says.
“Yeah I went shopping” mum replies.
I look at her then go back to watching TV.
“Here’s something I got for you” mum says handing me something. I don’t take it out of her hands so she drops it on my lap, I look at it It’s 3 new drawing pads.
“Ooo someone’s cocky about living in Australia for a long time” I say.
“Jacquie stop it I was trying to cheer you up” mum says.
I rise to my feet.
“You wanna make me happy? Wanna make ME happy? Then let me stay here,” I yell to her.
“I can’t leave you here, you’re my daughter and I want you with me” she says back at me.
Mum walks off into her room. I sit back down and fold my arms.
“Want dinner?” Jimmy asks.
“Nah I’m gonna go to bed Night” I say getting up and going to my room.
I go in my room and close the door. I look at my old drawing pads. I have only used two of the three drawing pads for New Jersey. I put them away and I go to bed. MAN this day must have been one of the worst.

Chapter 17 – **2 years later** OMG Really Ray? (Jacquie’s POV)

“Omg really Ray?” I say sarcastically.
“Yeah” he says.
“You have already told me,” I say
“Oh” he says
“You have to tell Gerard NOT ME,” I say with a laugh.
“Oh yeah” he says with a laugh “It’s just you two are like so similar, well the main difference is that you’re a girl and he’s a guy”.
I laugh.
“It’s true,” he says.
“Nah there’s a bit more then that,” I say trying to think of something.
“Like?” he asks.
“Umm” I say still trying to thinking.
Gerard walks in.
“Hey Gerard, Umm think of something different about us” I ask him.
“Umm… What do you mean?” Gerard asks.
“Well Ray thinks we are like the same and I’m trying to think of differences” I say.
“Oh” he says, “Umm I think he might be right”
He laughs.
“Really?” I ask.
“Yeah” he replies.
“Right” I say.

Gerard hadn’t changed much he was obviously taller and his hair was a bit longer but his mum made him cut it so it would look neat well neat-ish. Ray was way taller and he would practice playing his guitar a lot. He was great. Matt had grown taller too and had taken an interest in drums and would go to his cousins in the holidays and practice them because he didn’t have any yet. Gerard’s Brother Mikey had grown heaps and matured a lot. He had gotten his eyes tested after complaining of his eyesight and now he has to wear glasses but the glasses he wears are so cute but he reckons he looks like a geek/nerd. But he doesn’t. Frankie whoa he is like a little rocker. But seriously he is little and he likes to rock out on his guitar. He is awesome. Mum had tried Internet dating and had just found a guy from Australia and he is coming to America to see her. It was great knowing she had moved on from dad. Speaking of Dad he came out of jail like a week ago. He called my mum asking to speak to me and I told her to tell him to leave me alone and never speak to me again and thankfully I haven’t heard him from him since.

“Are you gonna tell him?” I ask Ray.
Ray goes a slight red colour.
“Tell me what?” Gerard asks confused.
“Well umm… I got a … Girlfriend,” he says slowly.
“Omg that’s great when are we gonna meet her?” Gerard asks enthusiastically.
“Umm I dunno” he replies.
“Well that’s Gerard down and Matt left” I say with a laugh.
Ray slips a small laugh.
Gerard smiles at me. I smile back.
"Can you tell him for me?" Ray asks.
"Sure" I say

I go and look for Matt on my skateboard, who had been skating with his new girlfriend Paula. She was a friend of his since year 1 but had left New Jersey in year 6 and went and lived in Ohio and had come back this year. She was a brunette with green eyes. She was an awesome skater and I could easily see why Matt liked her, she was fun to be around. Matt told me that he had a crush on her ever since he first met her. I told him if he doesn’t ask her out I would ask her out for him. He choose to ask and she said yes. They had been going out for 3 months now and were madly in love.

I find them on the grass kissing.
“Heya Lovebirds” I yell to them. And get off my skateboard.
Matt pulls out the kiss.
“Hey” he says and then goes back to kissing her.
I laugh.
Paula then pulls out “Hey” she says and then he kisses her again.
I laugh again.
"Ray's got a girlfriend" i say
They both stop.
"Cool" they say and start kissing again.
I get on my skateboard again “Bye lovebirds” I say to them.
They take no notice.
I skate off.

I find Ray outside with Gerard and a girl. I ride up and stop.
“Heya Jacquie, This is my girlfriend Lucy” Ray says to me.
“Hey” I say going to shake her hand.
“Hey” she says shaking it.
She was a little shorter than me. She has summer blonde hair with piercing blue eyes.
It was kinda awkward. Sorta like when I first met Paula.

***************
Flash back
***************
I knock at Matt’s door.
“Hey” I say as Matt opens the door.
“Hey” he says letting me in.
I walk in and find a Gerard and a girl talking on the couch.
“This is Paula” he says nervously.
Paula gets up and walks over to me.
“Hey I’m Paula” she says “And you are?”
“I’m Jacquie, It’s nice to see you” I say kinda confused.
“She was one of our friends in year 6 but she left and lived in Ohio but now she back” Matt says.
“Cool, so umm do you like umm stuff?” I say not knowing what to say.
***************
Flash back END
***************

“So” I say this time not asking a question.
“So yeah” she says.
I look at Gerard he shrugs.
“Well me and Lucy are going over my place if you want us” Rays says.
The two walk off hand in hand.
“Man I am a loner” I say.
“So am I” Gerard says with a laugh.
“Oh well, Oh and I found Matt and Paula they are making out over near Lake Ave” I say with a laugh.
Gerard lets out one of his cute laughs.
I smile at him.
He smiles back.
“So watch ya wanna do?” I ask him.
“Meh comics or TV” he says.
“I know… BOTH” I say as if it was an amazing idea.
We walk into his place.
We hear the sound of a guitar.
“Frankie’s here” I say to him.
“Yep I’m guessing so,” he says.
We go into Gerard's room and he gets out his comics. I close the door.
"Spiderman or X-men?" he asks me.
"I don't mind" I reply.
He hands me a comic. It's an x-men comic.
"TV?" I ask
"Oh yeah miss greedy" he says jokingly.
He turns on the TV on a random channel.
I watch for a little while but get bored because it’s a cooking show. I began reading the comic and Gerard turns off the TV and reads a comic as well.
There’s a knock on the door and it opens and in walks Mikey and Frankie.
"Frankie learnt a new song,” Mikey says.
"Cool" I say
"Yeah play it Frankie" Mikey says.
Frankie starts to play Enter Sandman by MetallicA.
We all listen. Gerard starts to sing quietly. I watch Frankie. He is awesome.
When he finishes we all clap for him.
"That was awesome, I bet if the guitarist out of MetallicA (Kirk Hammet) was to hurt his hand they would hire you to fill in,” I say.
"Hell yeah" Gerard adds.
"I wanna be in a band,” Frankie says.
"Yeah" I say.
Mikey and Frankie leave the room.
"Man that was great,” I say to Gerard.
"Yeah I know,” he says.
We go back to our comics.

2 hours later...
"Man we have been reading comics for ages" I say.
"Yeah, lets go check on Matt and Ray" he says.
We walk out the house and we walk around looking for Matt and possibly Paula. We find Matt still on Lake Ave. He is just lying there looking at the sky. We walk over to him.
"What’s up Matt?" I ask him.
"Oh just waiting till I TURN 18 AND CAN SEE PAULA" he says.
"What happened?" Gerard asks.
"Her mum and dad where driving around here and spotted us kissing and told her to get in the car and then yelled at me telling me to leave their daughter alone and what till she was old enough to leave home" he says angrily "Then they left taking her with them".
"That sucks how long have you been sitting her for?" I ask
"About 30 minutes" he says getting up.
"Why didn't you come to mine?" Gerard asks.
"I didn't know what to do" Matt says. A tear slides down his face.
"Aww Matt" I say hugging him.
"Come back to mine we will have lunch or something" Gerard says trying to make it better.

We walk back to Gerard's.
We go inside and we go into Gerard's room. Matt flops down on Gerard’s bed. Gerard walks out and goes and makes lunch.
Matt just lies there not saying a thing.
"It's gonna be alright" I say, "It's just that her parents don't know you and it must have been a surprise to see their daughter kissing you and you kissing her".
"Well yeah" he says.
Gerard comes in hold three plates each holding a sandwich.
"Cheese for you" he says giving Matt a plate "and tuna and whipped cream for us" he says giving me one.
We start eating in silence. It's weird and awkward and I wish it wasn't.
When we finish Matt calls Paula. And decides to go over and explain himself to her parents.
So yet again Gerard and me are left alone.
"OMG we didn't check on Ray" I say
"Oh Yeah" Gerard says.

We walk to Ray's.
We knock on the door and Ray's mum opens the door.
"Hey" she says.
"Hey can we see Ray" I ask.
"Actually he’s not here he's with his girlfriend,” she says.
"Oh do you know where his girlfriend is?" Gerard asks.
"Umm no actually" she says.
"Well okay we'll see ya later" Gerard says
She closes the door and we start walking back to Gerard's.

My phone rings. (Calling: Mum)
"Heya mum" I say.
"Hey" she says, "I'm going to the airport to pick up Mark" (Mark is the guy off the internet from Australia)
"Oh yeah that’s today isn't it" I say
"Yeah, wanna come with?" she asks
"Nah I'm hanging with Gerard" I say. Gerard smiles at me.
"Okay cya honey" she says.
"Cya" I say and hang up.

"So..."Gerard says.
"Oh that was mum she’s picking up her new boyfriend from the airport,” I say.
"Oh cool" he says.
"Yeah" I say
"You don't sound very happy" he replies.
"Well I am it's just weird" I say.
"Ooo someone’s jealous,” he says jokingly.
"Am Not" I say with a laugh.
"Anyways wanna go skating or something?" he asks.
"Meh alright" I say.
We walk outside and grab our boards and skate around.
Up comes Ryan.
"Hey guys,” he says.
I roll my eyes. Ever since word got around that I had bashed him he had become very very unpopular.
"What now Ryan?" I ask.
"How’s it going?" he asks.
"Umm I don't believe I have to tell you,” I say. I seriously can't believe he why he tries to talk to us.
"Yeah get lost" Gerard says.
"Oh please can I hang with you?" Ryan begs.
"Hell no" I say.
"Why?" Ryan asks.
"You know why" Gerard says
"No I don't" Ryan says.
"Okay for one you bashed Matt, two you punched Gerard, three you tried to bash me and heaps of other crap so get lost,” I say.
"That’s behind us now, Can we be friends?" Ryan asks.
"Pfft you wish,” I say.
"We would never be your friend even if we were paid money,” Gerard says.
"Fine then" Ryan says walking off.
Gerard and I laugh.
He glares at us and continues walking.
"What a loser" I say.
"Hell yeah" Gerard replies.
We laugh again and Ryan turns the corner of the street and disappears.

We continue to skate till we find Ray.
"Hey Ray,” I yell to him.
He looks up.
"Oh hey guys,” he yells back.
We skate up to him.
"So where were you?" we question him.
"I was at Lucy’s house" Ray says with a smirk.
"Oooo" I say laughing.
Gerard laughs.
"Can you feel the love" I start to sing.
"Shut up" Ray jokes.
"Guess who we ran into begging us to be his friend?" Gerard asks.
"Who?" Ray asks.
"Ryan" I say.
"Really?" Rays laughs.
"Yep" Gerard says.
We all laugh.
"Man he is such a loser now" Ray manages to say over his laughter.
"So why aren't you with Lucy right now?" I ask
"She had to go out shopping with her mum" Ray replies.
"Okay" I say.

We walk over to the park and sit on the bench. The park had been let go since last year. There was graffiti and the swings had broken. The bench was in a bad state too but was still able to be used. Ray looked up at the sky. And Gerard was looking down the road. And I realized I was watching them. I laugh to myself. I decide to see what happens if I walk off. Would they notice? I start to walk away as quiet as I can. I get to the road and Ray calls out to me "Where ya going?". Gerard just realizes.
I laugh, "You guys are so slow".
I walk back to them. I watch my mum’s car drive by and go up our driveway.
"OMG MY MUMS HOME" I yell full excitement.
"Geez calm down" Ray says getting up. Gerard joins him.
We watch as mum and a man get out of the car. 'Mark I'm guessing' I think to myself.
He was tall with medium length dark brown hair. And well kinda handsome I guess.
"He looks pretty cool" Gerard says.
Mum sees me and waves me to come over. I walk over with Gerard and Ray following.
"This is Mark,” my mum says introducing me to him.
"Hi" he says shaking my hand "You must be Jacquie".
"Hi and yes I am,” I say kinda nervously "and these are two of my best friends Gerard and Ray"
"Hey" he says shaking their hands too.
"Hi" they reply.
We all walk inside. Kerrie and Jimmy met Mark too. Kerrie nudges my mum and says something quietly they both laugh. Jimmy and Mark start talking randomly about stuff. And there’s a knock at the door.
"I'll get it,” I announce to everyone.
I open the door and there is Matt.
"Heya Matt" I say letting him in.
He walks in.
"Yes Paula's Parents like me" he yells. And then realizes everyone is there.
"Umm Hi" he says kinda embarrass
"Is this your boyfriend or something?" Mark asks.
"No this is Matt another of my best friends" I say with a laugh "Matt this is Mark my mums boyfriend"
"Umm Hi" Matt says shaking Marks hand.
"Hey" Mark replies.
Jimmy and Mark go back to their conversations and Mum and Kerrie join.
"Well me and my friends are going to be outside see ya later" I say.
"Okay Hun" my mum says.

We walk outside.
"He seems friendly" Gerard says.
"Yeah" Matt says.
"Oh yeah Matt you said something about Paula's Parents?" I ask
"Right, I went over and explained to them my actions and how I felt about Paula and they said it took bravery to stand up to them and that they had no problems with their daughter dating a brave man like me" Matt says.
"Brave man?, pfft, you wish" Gerard said.
"I am brave" Matt says.
"Right and my middle name is Mary" Gerard teases.
"Whatever, the main thing I can see Paula" Matt says.
"Well that’s good" I say "Well I gotta go check on mum and find out what Mark is like okay cya guys later".
"Cya" they all say.
I walk back into my house and talk to Mark.


(Gerard's POV)
Jacquie walks into her house.
"So what are we gonna do now?" Ray asks.
"Man Ray you get bored easily" Matt says.
"Yeah" Rays says "So"
"Skating maybe?" Matt replies.
"Nah I already have" I say.
"Movie?" Matt says.
"Yeah okay" I say.
We walk to Matt's and we go inside.
"Is your mum ever home?" Ray asks with a laugh.
"Nah she works real late now" Matt replies.
We all sit on the couch.
"Umm Matt movie?" Ray says.
"Oh right" Matt says getting up and turning the TV on "Can we watch normal TV I can't be bothered putting a movie on"
"Fine" I say.
"Well anyway how’s it going with you and Jacquie?" Matt asks.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"You still like her?" Matt asks. Ray looks at me.
"Umm yeah" I say kinda nervously.
Matt smiles.
"Dude ask her out" Ray says.
"DUDE she probably only likes me as a friend" I say.
"Dude there’s only one way to find out" Ray replies.
"STOP SAYING DUDE, and I'd rather stay friends than ruin a relationship with awkwardness" I say.
"You won't ruin a relationship even if she says no and rather be friends with you, you know her she’s not like that" Ray says.
"Well I don't want her to feel awkward around me okay, now enough about me okay" I say angrily.
"Okay Gerard" Ray says
I feel bad now. Stupid guilt.
"Sorry guys" I say.
"It's not your fault we shouldn't have pressured you" Matt says.
"Still I shouldn't have snapped,” I say.
"Oh well" Ray says.We continue to watch movies until we decide it's time to sleep and we go home.

Chapter 16 – What Happened? (Gerard’s POV still)

I wake up and find that Jacquie is awake and watching TV with Ray.
“Heya” I say to them.
“Ooo sleeping beauty has awaken” Jacquie replies.
“ Yeah from your kiss” Ray laughs.
“You kissed me?” I asked Jacquie.
“No” she giggled “Rays joking”. We hear a groan.
“Somebody’s waking with a hangover” she laughs.

She gets up and walks to Matt’s room letting herself in. Ray follows, as do I. Matt is lying on the bed holding his head.
“Oww” he yells.
“MORNING MATT” Jacquie yells with a smile.
“Ow shut up be quite please” he says holding his head.
“This is pay back for last night” she said walking out the room.
“Payback for what?” Matt asks sitting up “What happened?”
“Let’s just say she’s not really happy with you and your antics when you’re drunk” Ray says.
“I GOT NAKED” He yells and then holds his head again “Oww”.
“No you kissed her right on the lips and wouldn’t let go until she pinched you” I said angrily.
“Oh man really?” he asks trying to remember what happened.
“Yes” I say and then walk out the room.
“Man” I hear him moan.

I walk to Jacquie who is in the kitchen getting some tablets for Matt.
“Why are you getting him that after what happened last night?” I ask her.
“Well he is a friend and he didn’t know what he was doing, so yeah,” she said filling a glass with water and then walking back into Matt’s. I walk in after her. She hands him the tablets and water.
“Thanks so much Jacquie, I’m so sorry about last night” Matt replies taking it out of her hands and swallowing it.
“It’s okay,” she said giving him a hug and taking the glass off of him.
She walks out the room. Matt holds his head again.
“CRAP” he yells.
“Man get over it, your fault we told you to stop” Ray says.
“We wish you did,” I mumble under my breath making sure he didn’t hear. Matt lies down on his bed again.
“We better leave him to wallow in his pain and suffering” Ray says with a laugh.
“Shut up” Matt says.

Ray and I leave the room and find Jacquie on the couch watching TV again.
“So what are we doing today?” she says.
“Guys I don’t mean to alarm you but it’s MONDAY AND IT’S 10AM” Rays says. Jacquie looks at Ray and laughs as do I.
“What?” he asks.
“Public Holiday” I reply with a laugh. Ray goes a bit red.
“Oh” he says and plops himself on the couch. I join them.


2 hours later … (Jacquie POV)
“All we have done is watch TV” Ray complains.
“Well Mr Adventurous What do you wanna do?” I ask him. Gerard lets out a cute giggle and covers his mouth. Ray looks at him and glares and then looks at me “I dunno shopping?” he says.
“Okay Ray that’s like the first time I’ve ever heard a guy say shopping as something to do” I say “Are you… Gay?” I laugh.
“Well yes” he says. I look at him serious.
“No” he says laughing. I laugh too and Gerard joins in.

Matt walks in looking much better than what he was before.
“Better?” I ask.
“Yeah” he replies and sits next to me. I move a bit down still not really wanting to sit next to him after last night. He looks at me and then at Gerard who looked quite mad.
“Gerard” he says.
“What?” Gerard replies.
“I need to talk to you” Matt says.
“Ray I think we should leave them to talk” I say to Ray.
Ray nods and gets up. I get up to and walk out the house.
“What do you think they are talking about?” Ray asks me as we sit on the driveway.
“I don’t really know but I think we should let them talk” I reply.

I pick up my board and Ray picks up a random one. We skate up and down the road for a while. Ray had only really just gotten it.



20 minutes later…
Matt's house door slams open and Gerard walks out. Ray and I get off the boards. Gerard is walking to his place. Matt walks out of his.
“Gerard I said I’m sorry” He yells.
Gerard opens his door and goes in. Matt looks at us and we look at him. Matt turns away and walks back into his place closing the door after him.
“This is probably the first time I’ve seen that happen between Gerard and Matt” Ray says.
“Really?” I ask.
“Yeah” he says.
“You go see Matt I’ll go see Gerard okay?” I say.
“Yeah” he says and walks to Matt’s. I walk to Gerard’s.

‘What the hell happened?’ I think to myself. I knock on the door. Mikey answers.
“Hey Jacquie” he says.
“Can I see Gerard” I ask.
“Yeah he’s in his room” he says and lets me in.
I walk to Gerard’s room and knock. There’s no answer.
“Gerard It’s me,” I say trying to open the door but its locked. There’s still no answer.
I continue trying.

Gerard’s POV
“Gerard please” I hear Jacquie ask for me to let her in. ‘I should let her in’ I think to myself. My phone rings. I look at it (Ray: Calling). I answer.

“Hey” I say and then open the door letting Jacquie in after feeling a little guilty and then close the door after her.
“Hey” she says and then stops realising I’m on the phone.

“Hey” Ray says, “Umm Gerard What happened?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I say to him.
“It does he has already started drinking and he won’t talk to me Gerard” he says.
“I hope he dies,” I say.
“Gerard you don’t mean that” Ray says. I hang up.

“So what are you doing here?” I ask Jacquie and sit. She sits next to me.
“I’m checking you're okay, what’s up with you and Matt?” she asks.
“I don’t wanna talk about it,” I say.
“Okay…” she says until she is interrupted by her phone “One Minute” she says pulling out her phone.

“Hey” she says. She’s quiet for a bit and then she looks a bit upset.
“Okay I’ll be right over” she says.
She hangs up the phone.
“Hey Gerard that was Ray, Matt’s drinking again and he can’t stop him please come help” she says.
“Why should I?” I say.
“Come on please” she says.
“I’m looking after you not him though,” I say getting up.

We walk out the house and to Matt’s. Jacquie opens the door and walks in I reluctantly walk in too. Matt’s is sitting on the couch drinking from a bottle, Ray yelling at him to stop.
“Matt please stop drinking” Jacquie says. Matt turns around and sees her then me.
“Gerard” he says. I look at him angrily.
Jacquie goes over to him and takes the bottle out of his hands.
“THAT’S IT NO MORE DRINKING” She yells.
Matt gets up and attempts to take it from her I move a little ready to stop him but he stops as soon as he sees me move.
He walks a little closer to me “Gerard buddy I’m sorry, I’m really really sorry” he says.
“Yeah Yeah” I say.
“What happened?” Jacquie asks. There is silence.
“Are you gonna say it?” I say. He looks at his feet.
“Well?” I ask.
“Don’t,” he says, “Please don’t”.
“Just say it already” Ray blurts out.
Matt breaths heavily “I wasn’t completely drunk last night” he says slowly.
“WHAT?” Jacquie yells.
“I was trying to annoy Gerard most of yesterday and I didn’t think I was gonna go so far and actually kiss you okay” he says in a quick out burst.
I look at Jacquie “You mean…” she says “arhhhhh” she moans.
She walked off grabbing her bag as she left.
“Jacquie I’m sorry” Matt yelled. Matt looked at me. I shook my head. Ray looked like he was gonna punch something. He walked out of the house too.
“You happy now NOBODY LIKES ME,” Matt says.
“Why the hell did you do that anyway?” I ask him.
“Ever since that chick has been around all you do is talk to her and not me” he says.
“Not true” I say “I spend heaps of time with you”.

I walk out the house I should go check on Jacquie and Ray.
Jacquie is sitting at the front of her place with Ray. I run over to them.
“You alright?” I ask.
“I’m okay, I’m just locked out of my house and my friend used me as a joke” she says.
Ray looks at me.
“I told you I’m not ever doing it again,” I say to him.
“Huh” Jacquie says. I breathe in then out.
“Do you really need to get in your house?” I ask.
“Well yeah” she says.
“Okay fine” I say.
I walk to the side of the fence and jump over. I walk around the back looking for something metal. There we go an old coat hanger. I pick it up and jump over again. I walk to the door and bend the coat hanger and shove it in the side of the door until I hear a click the door opens.
“There you go” I say.
“How did you do that?” she asks.
“Matt and I used to be really bad kids and hang out with bad people,” I say.
“Oh that explains a lot” she says “Thanks”.
She walks in and so do Ray and I. Jacquie goes into her room and I close the door after us and then Ray and I sit down. Jacquie comes back.
“So what are we gonna do now?” she say obviously trying to make the day light up.
There’s a knock on the door. Jacquie walks over to the door and opens it. It’s Matt. She lets him in.
“What do you want?” she asks.
“I’m really sorry guys seriously I didn’t mean for that to happen” he says.
I pretend to ignore him even though I’m listening to everything he is saying.
“Come on please I’m sorry, I wish I could go back and change it” he says.
“But you can’t” I say quietly but loud enough so everyone can hear.
“I know listen Gee I really regret it you guys are my best friends and I thought that you were just gonna ignore me” he says. I turn and look at him.
I smile a bit “Ignore you, my best friend, the dude who has been with me since year 1?” I say.
“Well yeah” he replies.
“I never could” I say.
“Really? We cool again?” he asks.
I look at Jacquie and Ray and expect them to be saying no but they nod.
“Yeah” I say. He comes over to me and gives me a hug.
“Umm you're squishing me” I say. He lets go.
“We cool guys?” he says to Jacquie and Ray.
“Yeah” they both say. He smiles “sorry guys”.
“Build a bridge and get over it” Jacquie says jokingly and hugs Matt.
Ray smiles “I think its time to shop” he says.
We all look at him.
“Hey I need to buy my aunt a birthday present” he says.
“Sure” Jacquie laughs, “Lets go I wanna buy some clothes”.
Jacquie writes a note and leaves it on the bench and grabs her wallet.

We walk out and close the door and walk to the shopping mall. Gerard and I go into the music store looking though the CD’s, while Matt and Ray went off and looked in random shops.
“Whoa this place has like nearly every CD ever made” I say to Gerard.
“Yeah” he replies. I look over at another store.
“Hey Gerard I’m gonna go in that store over there” I say to him.
“Sure” he says looking at a CD.

I walk over and go inside. OMG its like a Goth shop.
“Hey” someone says to me.
“Hey” I say.
“Do you need any help?” she asks I relies she must work here.
“No thanks” I say.
“Well if you need any help just ask also there’s big discounting as this shop is going to be moved to another place”.
“Oh why?” I ask.
“Not many people buy this sorta stuff here” she says with a sigh.
“Oh” I say.
She walks off. I look around Oh My God I love everything here. Someone taps me on the shoulder. “arhh” I yelp not excepting it. I look and see its Gerard.
“Hey” I say.
“Hey I haven’t seen this place before” he says.
“Neither have I, obviously” I say with a giggle.
We look around. I buy a couple of jackets, shirts, pants, shoes and accessories. Gerard buys a jacket and pants.
“Who the hell is gonna carry all that for you?” Gerard asks with a laugh.
“I didn’t think of that” I say.
My phone rings. (Mum: Calling) I answer.
“Hey mum” I say.
“Hey hun” she says “I got your letter, need a ride home?”
“Well actually yes” I say.
“Cool I’ll be there in a couple of minutes” she says and then I hang up.

“Okay my mum is gonna be here in a couple of minutes to pick us up” I say to Gerard.
“Okay” he says and pulls out his phone and calls Ray and tells him to meet us out the front of the shop we were in.

Ray and Matt appear. Ray is holding a bag and Matt isn’t.
“Hey Matt” I say he looks at me and realizes I’m holding bags.
“I’m guessing you want me to help” he says.
“Yep” I say handing him a couple, which he takes off me. I smile at him.

We walk to the front of the shopping mall and walk outside. My mum’s car pulls up. She hops out and looks at the guys.
“The guys aren’t all carrying your stuff are they?” mum asks.
“Matt and I are carrying my stuff,” I say.
Mum shakes her head and laughs.
She opens the boot and puts my stuff in there; the guys decide to keep their stuff with them. We all get into the car and my mum drives us home.

Chapter 15 – Ray It’s Ya Birthday (Gerard’s POV)

“So what happened last night?” a voice asks me as I wake.
It’s Matt and he’s got a smirk on his face.
“What?” I ask.
“Look who’s not there?” he says. I look Jacquie isn’t there.
“Where is she?” I question him.
“I don’t know, I woke up to the sound of a door open and shut with a bang,” he says.
“But I didn’t do anything” I say.
“You didn’t… try anything?” he asks.
“NO well at least I don’t think so,” I say to him.

I get up and run outside and then to Jacquie’s. I knock on the door. Jacquie comes to the door.
“Shh everyone is still sleeping,” she whispers to me.
“Why are you here?” I ask quietly.
''I’m getting my stuff” she replies.
“So I didn’t do anything last night?” I ask.
“Huh?” she says.
“Never mind, need help?” I ask.
“Yeah I guess,” she says opening the door more and letting me in. She closes the door and walks to her room. I follow her.
“Can you carry this?” she said passing me a bag.
“Sure” I say taking it out of her hand.
“Okay lets go,” she says.
“You’re not carrying anything,” I say.
“Yeah you wanted to help,” she said with a laugh.

We walk out of her place to Matt’s.
“So anyone awake?” she asks.
“Yeah just Matt I think” I reply.
“Okay” she replies.

She opens the door of Matt’s place for me as I walk in.
“Thanks” I say to her.
“No problem” she replies with a smile.
“What have you guys got?” Matt asks coming over to us.
“Stuff” she says “Is Ray up?”
“Nah not yet” Matt says. I’m gonna go wake him up” she says pulling out a hockey mask and a fake scythe. She laughs and puts the mask on.
“Look an improvement” Matt says laughing. Jacquie hits him jokingly. She walks into Matt’s room.

There is silence and then … “ARHHHHHHH” Ray screams running out of the room. Matt and I crack up. Ray stops “Guys there’s something in that room” he says fear stricken. Out comes Jacquie.
“Se… Oh ha ha funny” Ray says pissed off. Jacquie takes off the mask.
“Happy Birthday” she says with a big smile.
Matt and I laugh “Happy birthday” we both say.
“Matt come with me” Jacquie says.
“Okay” he replies. They both walk out the front door.
“Don’t tell me they're gonna bring snakes or something” Ray says.
“I don’t know,” I said with a laugh “Them two are unpredictable”.
Ray laughs “True”.

5 minutes later…
Jacquie comes back with Matt behind her. “Presenting your cake” she says walking thought the door. Matt is holding a black cake with a candy spider on it.
“That’s awesome” Ray says looking at it.
“It’s Dark chocolate,” Jacquie says. Matt puts it on the table.
“Can we eat it now?” Ray asks.
“It’s your cake you can do whatever you want with it… as long as you give us some,” she says with a laugh. Matt hands Ray a knife. Ray cuts it and Matt makes him touch the bottom.
“What the hell is up with you guys and that?” Jacquie asks.
“I dunno it’s funny,” Matt says “Now Ray since there’s only one girl in the room you have no choice”. Matt laughs.
“But she’s like a friend” Ray says.
“Get over it” Jacquie says. Ray kisses her quickly on the cheek.
Jacquie wipes her cheek “Ewww” she says joking around “Boy germs”.
“Why the hell do we still do that anyway?” Ray asks.
“Meh cause we can” Jacquie says. Ray shrugs and cuts up the cake and passes us each a slice.
“Leave a piece for Mikey and Frankie” Jacquie says. We all look at her.
“What they should get some,” she says.
“Fine” Rays says and then takes a big bite of his piece of cake.
“I swear Jimmy is gay” Jacquie says, “ I mean he like cooks like a girl and cleans like a girl”.
We all laugh. Jacquie finishes off her piece of cake and brings out a present from her bag and passes it to Ray.
“Thanks” he says as he takes it out of her hands. He opens it. His jaw drops.
“The first Spiderman comic ever” he says not believing what he has in his hands.
“Yeah” she says.
“OMG JACQUIE I LOVE YOU” he yells and then hugs her.
“Umm you're welcome” she says. He lets go.
“How did you get it?” he asks.
“My mum’s friend works in a comic book store,” she says.
“Awesome” Ray says looking at the comic book again.


9pm… (Jacquie’s POV)
Ray opened his all of his present’s ages ago. We had to go to his and pick some up and go to Gerard’s to pick up some from his from his brother and Frankie. We were now just sitting watching a movie that Ray had got. The movie finishes.
“That was awesome” Ray says getting up.
“Yeah” Matt says sarcastically “If you don’t like action”.
“There was plenty of action” Ray said defensively “You were to busy looking at the girls boobs”.
“What man wouldn’t they were HUGE, right Gerard?” Matt said nudging him.
Gerard laughs.
“Whatever” Ray says.
“Drink Jacquie?” Gerard asks me.
“Sure” I say.
“Umm alcoholic?” he asks considerately.
“Yeah” I reply.
“Yes! she likes the stuff,” Matt yells.
I laugh. Gerard smiles
“You guys want one?” he asks.
“Yeah” they both say.
Gerard goes to the cupboard and makes up some drinks. He gives us each one.
“Chugging contest?” Ray asks Matt.
“Youre on” Matt says competitively with a smile.
“Countdown Mister Way” Ray says with a laugh.
Gerard and I laugh. “5...4...3...2...1 CHUG” he yells.
The guys start chugging like hell. Matt finishes first.
“Winner… Matt” Gerard says.
“Yeah” Matt brags.
“Ooo Can I try?” I ask.
“Whoa first you don’t want us to drink and now you wanna join us in chugging, what the?” Matt asks.
“Meh I feel like drinking now” I say with a laugh. Gerard fills the drinks again.
“Can we all do it this time?” Ray asks.
“Yeah I guess” Matt says. We all get ready.
“5…4…3…2…1 CHUG” we all yell.
I drink as fast as I can and when I finished placed the cup on the table. I look around no one else has finished yet. Oh god did I just win? Matt puts his cup down.
“What the hell did you finish already” he asks surprised.
“Umm Yeah I guess,” I say kinda freaked out too.
Then Ray and Gerard stopped on put their glasses on the table.
“OMG did she win?” Ray asks.
“Yeah” Matt says still very surprised.
“Whoa someone actually won against Matt” Gerard say.
“Yeah” Matt replies “Lets check REMATCH but you two have to watch”.
“Okay” they reply. Gerard fills the glasses again.
“5…4…3…2…1 CHUG” he yells.
I chug I think even quicker and put the glass down when I finish. Matt is almost three quarters through his glass by the time I did this.
“Whoa” Ray says surprised. Matt puts his glass down.
“I swear you must have some sort of experience,” he says not believing it was my first chugging contest. “And I swear I haven't” I say smartly back. Gerard laughs and refills the glasses again.


11pm…
Matt is drunk after about 6 drinks but Gerard, Ray and I only have 4. Matt had been doing lots of things to get Gerard angry and it was pissing him off but now he was completely drunk and doing weird things.
“What the hell are you doing?” Gerard asks laughing at Matt.
“I am a dinosaurrrrrr” he slurred walking around more like a zombie.
“You look like a homo” I say to him jokingly. Matt comes over to me.
“Would a gay do this?” he says kissing me right on the lips. I try to pull away.
“Matt let her go” Gerard say jumping up from his seat and trying to pull him away. I decide to pinch him and pinch him on the arm really hard.
“OWWW” he screams and finally lets go of me. I look at him and realize he has my lipstick smeared on his face. I wipe my face. And walk to the bathroom and close and lock the door behind me. I wash off the lipstick that is also smeared on me thanks to someone.

(Rays POV)
“What the hell man?” I ask Matt.
“What?” he asks probably still totally unaware of what he just did.
“You need to sleep dude,” I say walking him to his room. He goes and collapses on his bed. I close the door. Gerard walks over to the door.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Umm Hello did you just see what he did?” Gerard replies angrily.
“He is drunk and he doesn’t know what he is doing?” I reply defending his action even though I didn’t agree with them.
“So he is just gonna get away with it?” he yells at me.
“Wait till morning he will be back to himself and he can apologize to…” I say.
“Jacquie” he says and runs to the bathroom and knocks on it.
“It’s me please let me in” he yells. The door opens he walks in and it shuts again.

Whoa what the hell just happened? I check on Matt. He’s asleep. ‘'Good no more trouble from him” I think to myself angrily. I start cleaning up.

(Gerard’s POV)
“You okay?” I ask her.
“Not really” she replies.
“I’m so sorry about Matt,” I say.
“It’s okay” she says “That’s what alcohol does to you at least he wasn’t the violent type”.
A small fake smile spreads across her face. I go and hug her and she hugs me back. She lets go and opens the door and walks out I follow her.
“You alright?” Ray asks her.
“I’m fine stop asking me,” she says. She sits on the couch and I sit next to her. She sits there looking at her shoes. We hear a coughing sound.
“Damn Matt!” Ray says running to his room. Jacquie gets up and follows. He just did that but she helps that’s weird. I get up and walk in.

Matt is coughing badly. Jacquie walks out the room and I follow her. She walks into he kitchen and looks though the cupboards and then she gets a big plastic bowl out. She walks back to Matt’s room and yet again I follow her. She sits next to Matt and puts the bowl in front of him and starts rubbing his back. He starts coughing until he throws up straight into the bowl. Jacquie gives him a slap on his back and he chucks up again. She sets the bowl on his lap and walks out the room. She comes back with a glass of water. She hands it to Matt and he drinks it. She takes the bowl off of him and walks out.
“What the?” Ray says.
She comes back a couple of minutes later with the bowl now clean and sits it next to the bed. She lies Matt down and takes the glass from him.

We walk out of the room and she put the glass in the kitchen and sits down on the couch.
“Whoa are you a doctor or something?” Ray asks amazed about what she had just done.
“No I had practice with my dad when he got drunk” she said with a hint of sadness to her voice.
“Oh” Ray says feeling bad “Umm I’m going to bed but umm where do I sleep now?” Jacquie rolls her eyes. She gets up and walks into Matt’s room. We hear a fumble of random noises. She comes back to the doorway waves for Ray to come over. He goes over to her and they go inside.
“Night Ray” I hear her say.

She walks out and closes the door. She walks over to the light switch and turns it off.
“Jacquie can you see where you’re going?” I say with a laugh as I hear her walking.
“I can see in the dark,” she says with a laugh. It was great knowing she could change into a happy mood quite easily. I hear the table being kicked.
“Fu…” I hear her yell but stop.
“Yeah see in the dark” I say laughing. She sits next to me.
“Well I wonder how I got here?” she says. She lies on me.
“I wonder,” I say.
“Night Gee” she says.
“Night Jac” I say.
And I fall asleep.

Chapter 14 – Weekend {2 weeks later} (Jacquie’s POV)

My mum was out of hospital and much better. I was friendlier towards Jimmy and Kerrie again. I was really much happier now, My scars were healing pretty well but were still visible, Mum was really happy. I still hadn’t heard anything else about my dad and I really didn’t care. Matt’s Mum came home when she said should would but was angry with Matt for staying home alone instead of going to Gerard’s or a relatives. Guess what today was… MY BIRTHDAY!!! Finally 14 and guess whos birthday is tomorrow RAY’S he was turning 14 too.

I get out of bed and get dressed. I walk into the living room. Jimmy’s is watching TV.
“Hey happy birthday Jac” he said getting up and giving me a hug.
“Ooo the birthday is girl up” Kerrie says walking into the room.
She comes over to me and gives me a hug.
“Umm where’s mum?” I ask.
“I dunno MAYBE the kitchen” Jimmy replies.
I walk to the kitchen and there is mum with a bunch of presents.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY” she yells.
“Thanks mum” I say hugging her.
“You can open them now” she says.
“Yay” I say.
Kerrie and Jimmy come in. Mum hands me a present. I open it.
“OH MY GOD A PHONE” I yell “THANKS MUM” I say hugging her.
Mum passes me another present “This is from Jimmy” she says.
Jimmy smiles. I open it.
“A skull belt awesome” I say and hug Jimmy.
“Here’s Kerrie’s” mum says passing me yet another present. “OH MY GOD THE FIRST X-MEN COMIC EVER THIS IS LIKE SUPER RARE” I yell hugging her.


25 minutes later…
I had opened numerous presents and here was my last one it was actually just an envelope.
Mum reluctantly handed it to me.
“What’s up its just a envelope” I say to her with a smile. I look at it. My smile drops. A present from my … dad! I slowly open it. It’s just a normal birthday card. I open the card out falls $50.

I read the card: Dear Jacquie, Happy Birthday I bet you didn’t expect a card from me, well you are my daughter and I love you heaps I am so sorry for what I did and I hope you can forgive me, Love Dad xoxo.

I pick up the money that fell on the ground and hand it to mum with the card.
“Tell him to get lost I never wanna see him again” I say crying. I run to my room and slam the door. Great my whole day ruined. I can’t believe he has the nerve to do that. There’s a knock at the door. Mum comes in.

“Hey sweetheart, Sorry I didn’t really wanna give you it either but he said to” she said solemnly.
“Okay” I say wiping my eyes.
“Don’t let that get you down, I mean come on Jimmy made you a big cake” she said happily.
“Really?” I say cheered up at the fact cake was involved.
“Yeah” she says.
“What flavor?” I ask.
“White Chocolate your fave I believe” she says with a smile.
“Yes” I yell and run out of the room.
There was my cake. White chocolate with a candy skull in the middle.
“Jimmy this cake looks awesome,” I say to him.
“Thanks” he says with a smile.
“Are you sure your not gay?” I ask him jokingly.
“I’m sure” he replies. I laugh. I hear a knock at the front door and so does Jimmy. Jimmy walks to the door and opens it.
“Hey guys come in” he says. In comes Gerard, Matt, Ray, Mikey and Frankie.
“Yay you guys came” I say running up to them and greeting them.
“We put all of our money together and got you an awesome present” Matt said.
Gerard passes it to me.
“Open it before Frankie blows the secret” Mikey says.
“I won’t” Frankie says moodily.
I open it. “Awesome a skateboard” I say.
I flip it over “THAT IS SO WICKED” I say looking at the backing.
It has like skulls on it with my name in graffiti.
I gave each of the guys a hug “you guys are awesome” I say.
Matt looks at the cake “that is one seriously cool cake” he says.
It brings attention to the others and they all look at it.
“What flavor?” Frankie asks.
“White chocolate” I reply.
“Awesome” Mikey says.
“I’m guess you guys want some?” I say watching them all look at my cake.
“Yeah” they all say.
“Well your not allowed to” I say evilly.
They all look at me surprised.
“Kidding” I say laughing “Jimmy can you serve the cake please”.
“Sure kiddo” he says.
“Stop calling me that” I yell at him jokingly.
“What? Samich liker?” he said pretending he didn’t know.
“Don’t call me that either” I say to him.
“You say samich?” Gerard asks Jimmy.
“Nope Jacquie does” he said with a smirk.
I blush.
“Hey don’t worry that’s what lil Gee says too” Matt said mocking Gerard. He blushes too.
“Time to eat the cake” I say trying to change the topic.
“Wait what about the candles?” Frankie asks.
“Jacquie didn’t want any” Jimmy replies.
“Aww blow out a candle anyway sweetie” Mum says.
“I don’t wanna” I reply.
Jimmy picks up a lighter and lights it and puts it in front of me.
“Blow up the candle Vegie” he says.
I glare at him and then blow out the lighter.
“YAY” Frankie says.
Everyone starts singing happy birthday. I really hated the song but Oh well.

They finish singing and Jimmy hands me a knife to cut the first slice of cake “Don’t touch the bottom or you have to kiss the closest boy” he says with a laugh. I glare at him again. Matt pushes Gerard closer to me. Gerard blushes again. I start cutting the cake and Jimmy makes me touch the bottom.
“Hey” I yell at him. He laughs. I kiss Gerard on the cheek. He goes an even redder. Matt laughs at the sight. Jimmy takes the knife off me and cuts up cake for everyone. I get the first slice and the candy skull that was in the middle. I sit on the couch with Gerard while the others sat on other chairs in the living room.

Gerard is still blushing and every time he looks at me he smiles and goes a bit redder. Matt got another piece after finishing his first. But the rest of us only had one. When I finished I broke the candy skull in half and gave half to Gerard. Which only made him blush more. I went to the kitchen and got drinks for everyone.

I could hear Matt talking to Gerard.
“You so like her” Matt says to Gerard.
“Shut up” Gerard replies.
“Gee and Jac forever” Matt says mocking him.
“Yeah Gee and Jac forever and ever” Ray adds in.
There’s a small silence and then Matt talks again “Love is in the air”.
The guys laugh.
“Shut up” Gerard said. I walk in with the drinks.
“Coke anyone?” I ask. I hand everyone a glass. And then sat back down with Gerard. This time he tried not to look at me. Matt kept watching him and cracked up laughing.
“What?” Gerard asked.
Matt stopped laughing “Oh nothing” he replied and then continued laughing.
Gerard got up and tackled Matt. It was kinda funny though.
“Stop raping each other and finish your drinks,” I say with a laugh.
Gerard stops and goes back to his drink.
“So where’s the party gonna be?” Ray asks Matt.
“For your birthday?” Matt asks.
“Yeah” Ray replies.
“Oh Mine” Matt said.
“Cool” he says.
It was awesome having Rays birthday and mine so close together we could have like two parties or have one massive one.
“I wanna try my new skateboard” I say getting up.
Gerard gets up too “I’m watching” he says.
Everyone else joins us as I pick the board up and walk outside. I get on it on the road and ride around. Matt runs to his place and gets his but also bringing over a couple of others for the rest of us.
“Skating comp” I say to him.
“Hell Yeah” he said. We all go up the hill near my place and skate down except Ray who just watched.
“I won” Matt said arguing with me about who won.
“Nope I did” I say calmly even though I know he won.
It was fun watching him get angry.
“Rematch” He says.
“Just what I was about to say” I reply.

We walk up to the top again and the rest watch to see who wins.
“Ready, Set, GO” Ray yells.
We race down the hill. I ride past everyone as soon as I reached the bottom. Matt just stopped as soon as he did.
“Who won?” Matt asked.
“Well” Ray began “Jacquie”.
“You can’t be serious” Matt said shocked he lost.
“I won?” I say surprised.
“Yeah” Gerard said with a smile.
“I guess someone owes me a piggy back” I say jumping onto Matt’s back.
“Whatever” he says. He holds me on.
“Oh yeah I’m awesome” I brag.
“I let you win since it’s your birthday” Matt says.
“Yeah ,Yeah Matty boy” I say.
“Don’t make me drop you” he said.
“Do that and your gonna be in trouble” I say to him.
He attempts to drop me but I cling to him with a bear hug.
“Damn” he says. I get off him.
Gerard laughs his cute laugh. I giggle at his laugh. It was one of the most cutest laughs ever. He smiles and I smile back at him. For the rest of the day we skate around and Matt attempts a couple of tricks but stuffs most of them up.

Night (around 10pm)
Frankie and Mikey had gone back to Gerard’s and were sleeping already. While Gerard, Matt, Ray and I where at Matt’s planning the party for tomorrow.
“So far we are going to have the party here and My mum is at her friends for today and tomorrow which is good and makes this easier” Matt says.
“Correct” Ray replies.
“We are ordering?” Matt asks.
“PIZZA” Ray says “Oh and thanks to Jacquie, Jimmy is making us a cake”.
“Correct can I ask a question?” I ask.
“Yeah” Ray replies.
“What is it with you guys and PIZZA?” I ask.
“IT’S AWESOME” Matt answers before Ray can.
“Okay” I say.
“So who’s invited?” Matt asks.
“You, Jacquie, Me and obviously Ray” Gerard says.
“Can you really call it a party?” I ask.
“Yeah” Ray says “Gerard and Matt can make it like there is like millions of people here”.
“Huh” I say confused.
“ANYWAYS, Drinks?” he says changing the topic.
“Anything in the cupboard over there” Ray says obviously he knew about the fact it was filled with numerous bottles of alcohol.
“Why alcohol?” I ask.
“Cause its yum” Ray said.
I shake my head “Well I’m bringing some coke” I say.
“Mmmm a mixer I’m guessing” Ray says not realizing what I meant.
“She’s not a big fan of alcohol Ray” Gerard said.
“Oh” Ray says.
“I’m gonna call my mum and tell her I’m staying here okay?” I ask.
“Sure” Matt replies “Phones over there” he points to it.
“Nah I got a phone” I say pulling it out.
“Cool I’ll add my number later” Matt says “As well as lover boy here”.
“Shut up” Gerard says to him.
“I mean Clover boy see he is like a hippy” Matt says laughing.
“Okay then” I say dialing my mum’s number.

“Hey Mum” I say.
“Hey” she replies.
“I’m staying over a friends place tonight and tomorrow okay but I will be over to get some stuff tomorrow” I say.
“Umm alright I guess” she says.
“Okay night mum” I say to her.
“Night Sweetie” she replies.
I hang up.

“Yay I can stay” I say to them.
“Cool, I’m taking my mums bed, Ray is taking my bed and you two can share the couch” he says with a smirk.
“Okay” I reply.
“Well I’m gonna sleep now” Matt says.
“Same” Ray says.
“Night then” I say.
Everyone says night. Ray walks to Matt’s room and closes the door. Matt walks to another room obviously his mum’s and closes the door.
Leaving Me and Gerard alone.
“So going to bed now” he asks.
“Yeah I guess but I’m not that tired” I reply.
“Wanna drink then?” he asks.
“Yeah okay” I say. He walks to the alcohol cupboard.
‘Great idea that helps’ I think to myself sarcastically.
He makes two drinks and brings it over to me on the couch. He sits next to me and hands me one.
“Thanks” I say taking it from him.
“Yours is the same strength as mine sorry I forgot you don’t drink” he says to me apologetically.
“Oh well” I say drinking it. We continue drinking until we finish.

He takes my glass and his to the kitchen, washes them and puts them back in the cupboard. He comes back and lays on the couch but as far away as he could from me. I move closer to him and lie on him. He looks at me with the ‘what the hell’ look but then smiles and cuddles me. I fall asleep on him.