The Light Behind Your Eyes
"Welcome to Music 779, the Psychology of Music." Gerard had heard the 'first day of class' speech twice already today, and was not interested in paying attention to another. This was his junior year of college, although he was older than many of the students surrounding him. Gerard had taken off a few years before starting his college career to save up as much money as he could instead of going into debt up to his eyeballs with student loans. The now 26 year old was sat in his third class of the day, kicking off the fall semester. Instead of being bored to tears by yet another welcome speech, he chose to distract himself from the professor's droning by running his eyes around the surprisingly crowded auditorium.
He recognized several people from previous classes and hoped he'd be able to catch up with them at lunch. However, most of the faces his eyes met were brand new to him. One in particular stood out. A younger looking man, he couldn't be more than 20, was sitting on the other side of the semicircular room toward the front. Gerard, having positioned himself at the back of the class, had a perfect view of this newcomer. He was handsome, dressed in black and red striped skinny jeans, a white t-shirt, and black leather racing jacket. His straight, black hair was brushed forward and swept to one side, framing his attractive yet disinterested face. Gerard was instantly smitten.
As Gerard continued to ogle, the stranger raised his hazel green eyes and locked them dead with his. "Oh shit" Gerard thought as he ducked his head, focusing on his desk. "I hope he didn't notice me staring." Unbeknownst to Gerard, however, the young man HAD noticed, and was now gazing intently at the long, jet black locks covering a beautifully pale face and practically amber eyes.
The younger man, Frank, was just starting his freshman year. Having tested out of nearly two years of classes, he had signed up for something more advanced, Music Psychology. This was only his second class of the day, but he was already thoroughly bored and impatiently waiting for lunch. Now that he had an attractive raven haired man on whom to focus his attention, he was beginning to think this might not be such a boring class after all. Unfortunately for him, Gerard was a bit reclusive, and getting close to him would take more effort than Frank expected.
The rest of the period passed with Gerard diligently doodling in his notebook and trying to avoid eye contact with the handsome stranger. When the professor dismissed them, Gerard was out the door and vanishing into the crowd before Frank had even left his seat. He'd have to be quicker next time, Frank thought to himself as he grabbed his bag and headed for the door. His stomach grumbled and he momentarily forgot about his new interest as he headed to the commons for some lunch.
Lunch and another period passed for Gerard without incident. As he entered his final class of the day, he noticed the same red striped pants and leather jacket in the room. This time, however, those hazel green eyes were already fixed on him. He blushed, ducking his head and taking a seat in his usual position, at the back of the room. Apparently they had two classes together, Gerard mused, wondering what his name was. Across the room, Frank was smirking. He had noticed a light of recognition in those amber eyes before they were shielded. And I blush. Now Frank really wanted to know who the raven was.
The next week was spent in both trying to ascertain the other's name, classes, and hangouts; all information gained inconspicuously from various sources. Gerard was able to gather such details as a first name, "Frank" he thought to himself, "I like it." He was also in procession of the knowledge that Frank was a freshman but was very smart and taking advanced classes, and that he owned a Ninja motorcycle. "Great, just great," Gerard sulked. "He's smart, sexy, and dangerous… he's perfect… and probably straight."
Frank, on the other hand, had found out a bit more about the upperclassman. The man's name was Gerard Way; he was a junior, and had a brother named Mikey who was also a junior. Gerard was a musical genius according to several people, but a very odd duck. He kept to himself, usually dressed all in black, and was rumored to be gay, earning him the not so affectionate nickname 'Emo Fag' among the school bullies. He was an avid reader, spending most of his down time in the campus library, and was an incredible artist. Frank had to get to know this guy, he sounded like a dream!
Friday finally arrived, and Frank had decided to 'bump into' Gerard on the way out of their last class. The hour long lecture ended and he quickly gathered his things, darting through the crown in search of the junior. He was nowhere to be seen. From the corner of his eye, Frank saw a smudge of black and he turned to see Gerard slipping through the exit door heading in the direction of the library. This was the perfect chance and Frank wasn't going to waste it. Breaking free of the crowd, he followed, unnoticed, behind the older man.
