Gerard walks into the unfamiliar building immediately feeling warm compared with the chilly autumn breeze outside and loosens the scarf around his neck. Though his muscles refuse to relax and stay stiff but he isn't nervous. No of course not. There's nothing scary or intimidating about a new place, new people, and new job that his little brother got him or the fact the Gerard spent the last few months in his basement, not once seeing the daylight. Really, he doesn't need this job he didn't see why Mikey put up such a big fuss about it anyway. So what if his paintings don't sell like they did before and he wasn't drinking that much, he was going to get out of it… eventually.
Once he's finished having a debate with himself whether to run out now and claim he forgot or just get the fuck over it and stay he decides to at least give it a chance and then choose if he wants to come back or not (though he already knew the answer). He promised his brother he'll try and he's the only person he doesn't want to let down. He could have stayed home, said he overslept or forgot and stayed where he's cozy and warm. Gerard honestly didn't know what kind of gods gave him the will power to get out of bed and make himself look presentable for today.
The first impression of the giant company building was that it's unbelievably huge. A spacious fancy lobby that looked like it belonged to a hotel with neat white floor tiles where you can see your reflection on, two corridors on each side with about a dozen doors, three elevators seen at the back of the room and a flower pot on every corner possible.
There are a lot of people passing by all of them looking like those I'm-too-busy-to-even-take-a-piss sort of people. It's too loud, too much commotion going on especially this early in the morning for Gerard while he can feel the aftermaths of yesterday in his head. He takes a deep steadying breath and takes a few firm steps forward, towards his new workplace when he freezes. It dawns on him that he has no idea where to go, the building is at least 20 stories high and this isn't a shopping mall so there were no directories to the art department. Gerard honestly didn't know what he expected when he came here, that someone would be waiting for him? Or that he would somehow know where to go? He looks around the people once more feeling like a stupid child who's lost. So he decides just to go through with it and ask someone. He spots a guy who looks just as miserable and tired as he does leaning on the wall staring with an empty expression towards the no smoking sign on the opposite wall. Plus he happens to be standing right next to the coffee machine, which is just very convenient for Gerard.
He tries to act casual like he hasn't been planning this out in his head for the last 5 minutes but his hands start to shake, he drops his coins and then accidentally hits his foot against the machine. Thankfully the guy doesn't seem to notice that. This was not how the day was supposed to start. He only looks over, breaking his trans when Gerard starts to quietly whine and curse the damn thing. He was rather short Gerard noticed and he wasn't one of the tall ones himself so that really says something. With the worn out jeans, white shirt, a slightly lose tie and messy black hair he didn't look like he belonged in a place like this. They make brief eye contact
'Hey, um, do you know where the art department is in this place?' Gerard asks while putting the coins in the machine. He didn't stutter, jumble the words or drop the coins again so he counts it as a win.
'Uh, yeah, go to the 3rd floor and take a left. You're new here?' the shorter one asks interested like he really noticed Gerard only now and eyes him carefully.
Gerard drops his eyes to the ground 'yeah, this is sort of my first day here. Should have really asked my brother where my new workplace would be beforehand or called him but he's away so…' okay stop. Stop. You said enough. No need to spill your life story to some stranger. He lets out a nervous giggle before he can stop himself and wants to run back to his basement and cozy bed so bad his leg already takes a step back, but he just busies himself by putting the coins in and selecting the strongest coffee.
Though the guy just smiles brightly through his sleepy eyes
'Well congratulations on selling your soul to one of the most evil companies, you're going to love it here. Oh, I'm Frank by the way' the other man-Frank says extending his hand all the while smiling. Gerard takes it awkwardly 'I'm Gerard. Gerard Way.' He says shaking Frank's hand a bit too long than necessary and then takes the cup of coffee.
'Oh right! Mikey told me you're going to start working here soon. You should come by to the 5th floor during lunch or something and I'll introduce you to the awesomest people here' said Frank. Wow, Gerard's been in here for what 10min. and he's already making friends? How is that possible? He couldn't find a single friend in his first year of high school and now he's being invited for lunch? This is probably just a prank or something he knew Mikey is evil.
'Wait, how do you know Mikey?' Gerard suddenly asks after getting over the shock of someone actually being nice to him though he doesn't rule out the idea that somehow Frank's trying to make fun of him. He blames high school for that. Gerard doesn't remember Mikey mentioning the name Frank or anyone for that matter when he talked about this job, only some dude named Tomo or Tobo who told Mikey about a wanted position in the arts department.
'Mostly through Toro and you know he would sometimes come down here and jam with us a bit. Do you play anything?' Frank says slowly walking towards the elevators, Gerard following behind him while sipping his coffee which was way too hot. He lets his eyes wander up and down Frank while he has the chance, just because he's new doesn't mean he can't appreciate a nice butt.
'Not really. I tried playing guitar but I'm no good, I guess that stuff isn't really for me' Gerard answers through his burnt tongue.
'Nah, dude, music is for everyone, trust me' Frank says and offers another blinding smile and Gerard feels his cheeks heat up. He prays the he'll think it's from the coffee or the air conditioning in here. He's been locked away in his room for so long he's starting to act like a school girl around every nice looking guy, how pathetic, he thinks.
They step into the elevator with 3 other people who give them disapproving looks for fuck knows what or maybe their faces were just stuck that way from being assholes. They step into the back of the tiny metal room and Frank seeing the worry on his face leans into his ear and whispers in a low voice
'Ignore them, most of them are pricks anyway, they think that because they get paid more we should respect them and kiss their asses' Gerard almost missed a part of the sentence because the elevator started to move. Franks breath tickles his neck. Gerard just clenches his jaw and doesn't respond. He doesn't want to admit the real reason he's worried. Right then he hears a ding and the little sign with the number 3 blinking on it.
'So, I'll see you at lunch?' Frank asks hopefully. 'Sure' the taller man says and smiles still quite unsure of if this is really happening, which earns another wide reassuring smile from Frank.
He looks around: there are two corridors on each side of him. Wait, which one Frank said to take? Left or right? Fuck. He remembers something he read at the back of a comic book when he was about 5 ''if you don't know where to go. Always take the right way" fine. Right it is then. He decides to just open the first door and ask where to find the manager. He strides the few steps to the plain grey door and swings it open rather than fucking knock like a normal human being and he really should have because the first thing he saw made him choke on his spit and drop the cup of coffee on the floor.