Chapter one: When The Lights Go Out

"Would you like a beverage?" a flight attendant asked me as she leaned down, smirking her too-red lips at me. I wanted to pinch her nose and pluck her hairy eyebrows. Not that I cared about appearance. I honestly didn't. Me, Caroline Baker. Appearance? Please! At my best, I would be in jeans and a concert tee-shirt. At my worst... well, you don't want to see me at my worst.

"Coffee would be nice. Extra cream and no sugar," I softly said. Her nametag read: Linda. I fought the urge to strangle Linda and her forged kindness.

She nodded and went on her way, asking the other passengers aboard flight 615. I was sitting on the outside. Next to me was an older woman reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and beside her was an all business looking man.

I picked up my iPod, placing it in my ears and listening to the joyful sound of alternative rock or whatever it decided to shuffle to.

I sighed. Mom had decided to send me up north to Belleville with my aunt so I wouldn't be completely unproductive this summer. Aunt Leah gladly accepted. She always enjoyed me as company for some reason.

Leah was dad's sister. Dad died in an accident a few years back. I didn't really like to think or talk about it. Confronting my feelings never really went to well.

Mom always had a soft spot for Leah... probably because she and dad were extremely close. When dad died, Leah gave up everything. She had been seeing this guy but she broke his heart because she was under the illusion that she would never have love.

"Here you go, Sweets," Linda said, handing me my coffee. I gave her a little bogus smile as she walked away. I sipped the coffee; the wonderful aroma and taste making my senses go wild. I licked my lips and closed my eyes, trying to relax.

What if Leah didn't like me or something? What if she decided I was a total waste and sent me back to Sanibel Island? Fuck it, Caroline, I reassured myself, Just plaster a false smile on that face and you'll do fine.

The plane landed soon after. I grabbed my one carry-on bag—it contained all my vitals—and left the plane.

I slowly exited the thin hallway that lead to the airport. I looked around for Aunt Leah. Last time I saw her was dad's funeral...

But she was nowhere to be found. I then saw some kid in a black leather jacket, a Misfits tee shirt, dark jeans, and leather boots holding up a sign that said: Caroline Baker. He had black raggedy hair, nice bone structure, and cute eyebrows.

Huh, I never thought I would call eyebrows cute.

Anyways, obviously this wasn't Leah. She couldn't have had a sex change that quickly and I probably wouldn't have found her so attractive if she was a dude...

I walked up to the kid and smirked, "You aren't Leah."

He grinned back at me, "Well you must be Caroline." I nodded as we headed over near the front of the airport to pick up my bags.

"Well, who are you then?" I asked as we stared at the spinning contraption that held so many fucking bags.

"Gerard Way. I'm Lee's neighbor. She felt a little sick so I offered to pick you up. She's been excited ever since she heard you were coming... talking about it all the time, too." I contemplated telling him that his name was silly but decided against it—it was cute.

"How long of you known her?"

"Ever since I was born, pretty much. We've been neighbors ever since I was a kid."

I nodded as my two bags approached where we were standing. We both reached to grab them. Our hands touched. I felt my face burn with embarrassment. I had never felt like this before. Blushing was something I honestly never experienced.

Fuck, fuck, fuck! I shouldn't like this guy. He's probably, what, 20 at least? I'm nearly 18. So technically I'm still a minor. But... ah! CONFLICTION!, my mind argued.

I pulled my hand away as he grabbed both of my bags. I ran my hand through my hair and attempted to grab one of the bags and help.

"I got 'em, you're fine!" he cheerfully guaranteed. I nodded.

"Thanks, Gerard."

The ride home was... comforting. We talked about different comics and music interests we both shared. 80s punk rock was always rather important to me and apparently to him too. It was nice... someone to have things in common with.

"Alright, well, here's your stop! We'll probably see you later tonight because you guys'll come over for dinner. Leah likes the company."

I smiled. He had driven his silver Subaru XT in the driveway of a one-story home with a brick outlining. There were roses and wild bushes everywhere, growing rapidly. A large oak tree was planted right in the middle of the front yard. There were branches leading all the way up to the top—probably great for climbing.

Gerard was already out of the car and opening my door for me—as I was daydreaming and examining—like a gentleman. I took his hand and climbed out of the car. We headed back to the trunk and grabbed my bags—he insisted on taking both of them in for me. It was sweet.

When we got to the door, my stomach kinda felt like it was on fire. I was nervous. I would be spending months with my aunt who I barely knew. I figured that if dad liked her, what the hell?

Gerard knocked twice and a petite woman opened the door. She had short blond hair and very nice skin. She was small too—nearly shorter than me. And I was only 5'5. It had to be Aunt Leah. She looked different from the last time I saw her, though... more frantic and pale.

"Hey, Caroline!" she greeted, wrapping me into a firm hug. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Gerard smile. "Hi to you too, Gee," she added as she kissed his cheek. Wow, our families must've been pretty close.

"Hi," I awkwardly said as I walked inside. The home was nice. The front room had a large couch occupying a whole wall with a TV in the center of the room. Shelves of DVDs and paintings lined the walls. The artwork looked pretty professional...

"Did you do these yourself?" I asked as I walked up to the one that looked most appealing: a vampire fading into a brick wall. Leah shook her head and pointed to Gerard who was rolling my suitcases into a room down a hallway. My eyes widened. "Gerard?"

"He's amazing. Artistic, talented, he can sing too!" she bragged as he walked in.

"Did someone say my name?" he asked, confused. I grinned.

"She's just admiring your artwork, Gee," Aunt Leah winked. I felt my face turn a shade of pink. "By the way, you and Mikey are coming over tonight. I'm ordering Chinese. Your parents want to go out. Do Frank and Ray want to stop by?"

Woah, okay, I could only deal with so many new people at once.

"You sure you're feeling up to it?" he inquired. I thought it was cute that he cared about my aunt's well-being. Shit... no, I didn't like him. I couldn't. Nope. He probably already had a girlfriend or something. Or worse. He was gay... No. Nope, that thought quickly escaped my mind.

"Don't worry about me. If you want, I can bring you guys Chinese and Caroline could go over to your house?"

He nodded. "See you in a few hours!" I waved goodbye.

He then left. Leah stared me down. "You look a lot happier then the last time I saw you," she commented. I nodded.

"Probably because we were at my dad's funeral," I solemnly said. She looked down, then coughed.

"I'm gonna go lie down. Your room is down that hallway, second door on the right," Aunt Leah said, yawning and walking down the hallway, into a door on the left.

I headed into my room, clutching my carryon bag cautiously. I slowly opened the door and inside was a charming little bedroom. Three walls were a deep red color and one was painted black. Against the black wall were cream lanterns hanging from the ceiling. On one of the red walls, two large windows sat. The sun bled through into the room. There was a small bed and different posters and paintings on the walls. Green Day, Linkin Park, Panic at the Disco, Mindless Self Indulgence, Iron Maiden that sort of thing. I wondered who exactly this room belonged to. I saved my questions for later and started unpacking.

Before I knew it, Leah told me it was about time that I should go to Gerard's house. I said goodbye, brushed my hair out (what? I wanted to look presentable...), got the food from Leah and walked over.

Their house was a lot similar to my aunt's except it was two stories and didn't have an overgrown tree in the front yard.

I walked up the path to their door. A thin guy with flat dark hair and glasses opened on the third knock. He resembled a younger version of Gerard.

"You must be Caroline," he awkwardly greeted. I nodded. "I'm Mikey! Gerard's brother."

I walked in. I was then welcomed by a small guy with dark hair and a few tattoos. He literally jumped onto me, bringing me into the tightest hug I'd had in a long time.

"Can't... breathe..." I gasped out. He let go and nodded.

"Sorry! I couldn't help myself! We haven't hung out with a girl in so long! And you're hot too!" I shook my head uncomfortably. "I'm Frank!" he said, extending his hand. I shook it.

"Caroline."

"I know!" Frank joyfully responded. Gerard was sitting on the couch, drinking coffee next to a guy with a radical 'fro. Mikey followed us in and sat on the floor.

"Woah..." I started, mesmerized. "Can... I—?" but I was already touching his hair. He exchanged glances with Gerard and laughed.

"YOU BROUGHT FOOD!" Afro boy screamed. I put the large bag of crappy Chinese take-out on the coffee table. "I'm Ray, by the way. Oh... oh hey I just rhymed!"

I giggled, "I see. Just take all the shit you want—there's enough for about six days of meals in here."

We all got along pretty fast. Gerard's friends and brother were akin to him so I approved. I could see a friendship hastily forming between all of us.

I munched on some crab rangoons on the couch next to Gerard, who was eating some noodley-looking shit. After we ran out of conversation, Ray suggested that we watch a movie.

"But... but we've already seen everything you have, Gee!" Frank complained.

I smirked. Everyone seemed to like calling him Gee. Except me...

"But Caroline hasn't!" he retorted sarcastically. I shook my head.

"It's fine. Actually, I saw a graveyard when Gerard and I were driving down here. It's off of cemetery drive? We could go there and freak each other out?" I recommended. They all seemed impressed.

"I like this girl already," Mikey said as he grabbed the car keys from a hook by the door and began marching outside. It was nearly 10 o' clock so everyone was pretty excited to scare the living shit out of each other.

I was stuck sitting on Gerard's lap because Ray's car only fit four people. It was rather awkward.

Ray, who was driving, leered as we pulled up to the grim parking lot. "So... who's ready to shit their pants?"

AH-THOR'S NOTE!: You fancy? :D I'm excited too. This kinda all plopped out of my brain. A plot is yet to be found. Hehe. So, I know, I already have two current stories goin' on. Why the hell am I starting a new one? 'CAUSE I CAN, BITCHES! No, just kidding, but I really wanted to. I feel more comfortable writing this. I'll still regularly update my killjoy story& I'm not okay, though. At least every week.

As for this piece of work, pretty pretty please review and... ta ta for now! XD

XOXO,

Contro

P.S. 615? Where's that from? :D

Hint: Happy late birthday, Ray Toro. I love you and you're an amazing guitar player. Rock the fro.