Lemon lemon lemon lemon

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I spent the whole summer holiday catching up with 11th grade programs. If I wanted to go to a good college, I had work hard. I would probably leave far from home, but I would come back.

After two months of break, I would finally go back to school, which meant I had to prepare myself, both physically and mentally.

When the evening came, I grabbed the hair dye I had bought. I went to the bathroom, unclad and started preparing the dye. I put plastic gloves on and massaged my scalp with the dye. After a while, it was done. Then, I took a pair of scissors and looked at myself in the mirror. Alright.

•••

Today was D-day. I shouldn't have been so nervous, but I was.

I put on a white dotted shirt, a black knit sweater above it, blue skinny jeans and a pair of black converses. Mmh, that will do. I looked at myself in the mirror and ran a hand in my short, freshly dyed blond hair. Cute.

I went downstairs in the kitchen to have breakfast. "Morning everyone."

My family stared at me like I was an alien. "Wow, uh... did I do something wrong?" I smiled confusedly.

Apparently, Mikey had forgotten how to chew because he was sitting there, agape, a half-eaten toast in hand.

"Oh, and by the way, will we go to church this Sunday?" I asked. "I mean, I'm sure I didn't sin a lot during my coma, but I also didn't pray at all, so..."

"Ahem, yes, sure. Of course." Dad nodded. He seemed genuinely surprised, but not disappointed in the slightest. Maybe it's thanks to my hair... It's the first time I try out blonde, I hope I don't look ridiculous.

Mom looked up at me in shock and put a hand on my cheek. "My boy, you look so gorgeous."

She pulled me in a hug. Well, I think I just got my answer on how ridiculous this hair dye looks on me. Good. People generally judge a book by its cover so I need to look perfect.

"Mom, this is just hair dye and a shirt," I chuckled while pulling back from the embrace.

She shook her head. "This means so much to us. We're all so glad you're doing better, Gerard."

Now, it was my father's turn to hug me. "We're so proud of you, son."

Wow, so much affection! I understand though; an entire year in a coma, they must have been worried to death for me for all this time. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for them.

"Thank you, Dad. Oh, and when will we go see granny Helena? I really miss her; I haven't seen her in so long."

Mom and Dad exchanged a look I couldn't decipher, and it was Mikey who eventually answered me.

"Sure, yeah. I mean, she just moved across the country to California so, not for now. You should write her though. I'll give you her address."

"I will, thank you. Um, well, let's go then. We don't want to be late on our first day." My lips curled up in a little smile.

I grabbed my school bag, slung it on my shoulders and joined Mikey who was waiting for me, all smile. We left and walked to school together.

I had to admit, I missed that. Two brothers, having a moment.

"You look like a human lemon." Mikey commented on the way, and we both giggled.

"Yeah, you look good yourself. I love the black dye." I ruffled Mikey's hair a little. "The eyeliner is a bit emo-like but it looks okay on you I guess. We all have that phase."

I was teasing Mikey, but I knew he wasn't the baby brother I had known anymore, he seemed much more mature and confident. The both of us had so much time to catch up together.

"It's nice to know I have your approval, lemon." Mikey chuckled. "No but seriously, you look good. You could make anyone swoon; you will attract all the girls to a mile."

"Aw, thanks. But you know I only have eyes for Lindsey."

Lindsey Ballato was my girlfriend and I loved her so much. She was impressive and loyal, and the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.

I don't want to sound cliché, but we were so in love.

"You remember her?"

I laughed. "Of course I do. What kind of terrible boyfriend would I be to forget about my girlfriend?"

Mikey giggled. "True. I just asked because we never know, with your memory loss thing. You could even have forgotten about me."

"I only forgot minor things. You know I'd never forget you, Larry." I joked, saying the first name that came to my mind. Mikey laughed and hit my shoulder playfully.

"Oh, and by the way, remember the Frank guy I asked you about when you woke up?" Mikey asked.

"What about him?"

"Well, actually, here's the truth. He goes to our school. He was in your class, but you probably don't remember that. I wanted to warn you that he bullied you before your coma, Gerard."

"I have a bully?" I furrowed my eyebrows. I absolutely didn't remember getting bullied, ever.

"You do. Frank is a screw up and he messed you up - almost destroyed you before the accident. I guess you had time to heal during your coma. You should stay away from Frank."

"Alright, thanks for warning me, Mikes."

I put a thankful hand on my brother's shoulder. Boy, how screwed would I be without his support and advice...

We arrived at Belleville High. Seeing so many familiar yet slightly different faces was actually kind of pleasant and reassuring. I found Lindsey in the crowd of noisy teenagers.

She was wearing her favorite red plaid skirt and a black t-shirt matching her hair she had tied in two pigtails, as she always did. I patted her shoulder and she turned around. The least I could say was that she looked surprised.

"Gerard? Oh my God!"

She seemed to be peering at my eyes one by one carefully and eyeing me from head to toe like she couldn't believe I was actually there.

"Hi Lindsey." I smiled down at her tenderly.

"You're awake..." she breathed out. "Wow, that's great ! I didn't know that. I'm so relieved. I visited you a couple of times during your coma."

"You did?"

Lindsey nodded. "Seeing you lying lifeless on a hospital bed as if you were dead is more terrible than you would think. You probably don't remember though." she laughed quietly. "I'm glad you're back. You look really... healthy."

"Do I?" I flashed a charming smile at her and held her hips. She blushed slightly, probably due to the intimate contact.

"Yeah." She nodded. "I like your hair. Blonde really suits you. And look at yourself, you're all spiffy."

"Thank you, Lin. Sorry, I should have texted you as soon as I woke up, but I was recovering and pretty much unreachable." I said.

"It's okay, don't apologize. I missed you but at least now you're here." Lindsey smiled and I cupped her face gingerly with my hands.

I leant down to kiss her red-coated lips, moved my lips on hers and felt her kiss back. My fingertips brushed her black hair. When I pulled back, Lindsey was blushing like crazy and looked a bit surprised, like it was the very first time we kissed.

"Gerard, why- what does that mean?" Lindsey stuttered against my lips.

"This?" I pecked her lips and smiled confidently, holding her close by the waist. "This means I'm back, baby."

Lindsey hugged me. I wasn't sure what was up with her, but I wasn't not going to complain. I missed her so much.

When we pulled apart, I noticed some short guy not too far from us, staring at me. He seemed completely agape. His gaze was hooked on me and glazed with astonishment - and an ounce of anger.

He kind of looked like a creep if I was being honest. He was dressed like your cliché of the perfect punk - skeleton gloves, ripped jeans, black hoodie with the name of some band I didn't listen to.

And his hair, ew, it was hideous. Black strands of hair combed oddly, tousled at the back of his head. A silver ring furled the left side of his lower lip, and another his right nostril. Eyeliner framed his hazel eyes, and he had a little scar with stitches above his right eyebrow, like it had been busted open. He made me think of a dead clown.

I also saw a silver necklace around his neck. I didn't pay enough attention to it to make out what was hanging from the thin, shiny chain.

"Um, you good dude?" I asked, wearing a confused frown. Why is he staring at me? Do I have something on my face?

I saw him clench his fists and understood that he probably wasn't the chilliest guy the world has seen. He looked at me, then at Lindsey.

His expression quickly evolved from confused to purely angry. He was heading towards Lindsey, but he barely touched her before I pushed him away.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing? Who do you think you are? You touch my girl and you're dead, pal." I fumed, not amused at all.

"Oh, I'm not gonna touch her, if that's what you're worried about," he spat though gritted teeth and shoved my chest roughly. Before I could protest, the punk guy grabbed my shirt and pinned me on the closest wall.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing; that would be the appropriate question, asshole." he seethed.

"Frank, stop ! Stop it!" Lindsey yelled, tugging on his arm to get him off me. She succeeded in making him back off, which I was grateful for.

So this is Frank Iero, huh?

"Get off me. The fuck did you do to him, you fucking witch?!" the punk I now knew was Frank snarled at Lindsey.

"Hey, Frank !" I called. Frank turned to me. My fist collided violently with his face and he stumbled backwards.

"Don't you talk to her like that." I ordered gravely as Frank was bent in two, glaring at me and rubbing his presumably achy cheek.

Lindsey was confused.

Probably half of the school had witnessed that little fight. I looked around and saw a ton of girls looking at me, biting their lips and smiling foolishly. I smiled back at them but nothing more. As I said, my heart belongs to Lindsey.

"You're a motherfucker, Way. And I'm going to destroy you, you hear me? I'm gonna fucking ruin your perfect little life !" Frank shouted at me, but I ignored him as I was walking away like I owned the school.

Mikey caught up with me. "Hey, nice punch bro. You handled the situation like a cham. Don't let him intimidate you."

"Don't worry, Mikes. I can handle a stupid punk like him." I shrugged as we entered the building.

A little part of me was worried Frank's threats were not empty, though. He didn't seem like the 'all bark no bite' kind of guy.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. That Frank guy is just an idiot jealous of me because I'm dating Lindsey. But she's mine. Mikey is right, I must not get intimidated.

Lindsey joined me in the hallway. "Hey... You didn't have to put up a fight for me back there. I'm... I'm not sure I'm worth it."

I laughed. "What are you saying, of course I had to. I love you."

I brought her a little closer and put a chaste kiss on her forehead. She looked up at me, blushing. "Gerard, I-I don't get it. You-"

"Hey, Lindsey !" Mikey called and joined Lindsey and I.

"Oh, hi Mikey." Lindsey saluted. She and Mikey were not the bestest friends but I guessed they could stand each other.

"Hi. Sorry, I've been eavesdropping. You guys make such a cute couple. Lindsey, can I talk to you? I'll borrow her for a second, brother."

"Alright, um, I'll see you in math then, Gee." Lindsey told me before leaving with Mikey.

I gathered everything needed in math class and headed for my very first class since I woke up from my year long coma. No pressure at all.

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External POV :

"Something's off about Gerard..." Lindsey mumbled, her arms folded.

"I know, it's a miracle. He's doing great !" Mikey whispered.

Lindsey frowned. "What did you do to him?"

"Me? Nothing. I just took an opportunity. That's only a beginning. I know how to help Gerard. I care about him too much to watch that asshole destroy him again. We can save Gerard's life."

"What about Helena?" Lindsey asked.

Mikey shook his head. "I told you, that's a miracle. That's how it all started, so once again, we don't have a choice."

"How are you going to handle this?"

"Well, I have a little idea..."

Mikey explained everything to Lindsey.

"I need your silence." Mikey demanded. "-No. I need your complete cooperation."

"I know it's probably the best thing to do. But it sounds wrong." Lindsey shook her head, more thoughtful than categorical.

"For him. Please? We need to save him. This is our only shot. His only shot." the dark-haired teenager stated gravely.

Mikey extended his hand at Lindsey for her to seal the deal. "So, are you in?"

Lindsey looked down at Mikey's hand.

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