Chapter Text
Soft chatter echoed through the halls of Elk Grove High School. It was the first day back from winter break, and the dreary weather didn't help ease the dread that many students felt. The part of that inevitable dread was obviously because they didn't want winter break to end, but there was also an extra sense of uneasiness that particular year. Newark, New Jersey had been particularly cold that year, but for whatever reason that may be, it certainly fit how everyone was feeling once they heard.
Someone had been kidnapped.
He wasn't the most noticeable student at his school, but once the news got out, his disappearance was a shock to everyone.
His name was Gerard Way. He was funny, smart, and an amazing artist. His mind was beautifully creative, and he was able to perfectly bring his ideas to life each time without any disappointment.
He left behind his younger brother Mikey, who was heartbroken beyond belief. He refused to come out of his hazy, hot-boxed room for two weeks. He only let his best friend, Tyler, check up on him. He would shut anyone else out.
Tyler and Mikey had only started talking about half-way through freshmen year. The two met in the boiler room in the basement of their school, on a rainy night. For some reason, the seniors decided to set up a scavenger hunt for the freshmen, but they hadn't anticipated that a certain trio would go so far as to break in after school hours just to find the missing items. Mikey, Gerard, and Tyler all had bright minds, and impressive plans for the future.
But that was behind them now.
Now, the boys (minus Gerard) sat in Mr. Bryar's homeroom, both bored out of their minds. The clock on the wall seemed like it was ticking in slow motion. The students around them completely ignored the two, too caught up in bragging about how they spent their winter break.
Suddenly, their principal strolled in. Tyler's brown eyes flicked to him, but then flicked to the boy who was trailing behind him. The boy was about six feet tall, and had a head of dark brown curls with shaved sides. A quick scan of his build told Tyler that he must've liked to work out. His eyes were a shade of mocha brown, which were nervously peering into the classroom, and Tyler could see him nervously swallow. He had a nose ring on both sides of his nostrils, and gauges. Something about the boy's timid nature intrigued Tyler, but he couldn't exactly put his finger on it.
"Mr. Bryar? You have a new student. Joshua Dun." Mr. Faye announced, and stepped aside so Joshua could step into the class. Now that Tyler got a better look at him, he was wearing black joggers, with a light olive green hoodie.
Tyler and Mikey glanced at each other, but were otherwise uninterested.
Josh could feel the eyes of at least twenty kids burning into his skin, and his throat felt like it was getting tighter.
"Please, take a seat Joshua." Mr. Faye smiled, and then left the room.
Josh calmly made his way to a seat near the back, because there was obviously less kids back there. And less kids meant less attention. He set his bag down, which was a cute little black messenger bag with various band pins and patches. It was going to be a long day.