The Boy Who Lives Downstairs: Frank Iero

Chapter five: The Band

It's not about his Velcro shoes



They were all standing in the house, the boys were all talking chatting before practice. Katie was standing, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.

"You're going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep on doing that." Frank whispered in her ear. Almost immediately, Katie stopped fidgeting with the carpet.

"Sorry," she said quietly.

"Nervous?" he asked.

"Sort of."

"Don't be," he said with a smile of reassurance.

"So guys, lets show Katie what we do best." Gerard suddenly announced.

"You sit here," Frank said as he grabbed her a barstool.

After all the equipment was hooked up and they were ready to play it was around 7:45 pm. It was well worth the wait though, as they were absolutely mind blowing. Katie felt compelled to clap after every song.

"Hey guys, I'll be right back," Gerard said as he headed for the kitchen to get water.

In response he got a series of grunts and uh-huhs. Frank got up and went onto the front porch. Katie was about to go out and sit with him when something grabbed her by the shoulders. Katie squealed and fell from the barstool, hitting her wrist on something hard.

"Um oops?" Gerard said.

"Oops what?" Ray said, looking around for what it could be. His eyes finally rested upon the crumpled figure of Katie. She was holding her wrist and biting her lip.

"Are you okay?" Gerard asked Katie.

She shook her head yes. He smiled and offered her a hand to help her up. She shook her head no. Then put on a smile and went to get up on her own and using her good hand she lifted herself back onto the barstool.

"I'm fine," Katie said with a smile that she was hoping didn’t look forced.

"You sure?" Ray asked.

"Positive," Katie said.

"Good," Gerard said.

Katie got up, holding her wrist in her other hand and walked toward the door that Frank had exited out of. Stepping outside she closed the door behind her.

"Hey," she said.

"Hi," he said in response, shortly after taking a hit from his cigarette.

"You mind if I join you?" she asked.

"No. You smoke?" he asked her.

"No, but I don’t mind."

"Why'd you come out?"

"I enjoy the company out here more," Katie said sitting down next to Frank on the front porch steps.

"Okay," Frank said flicking the ashes from his cigarette. Katie was steadily studying his shoes. "What are you staring at?" Frank asked after a minute of this.

"Are you're shoes Velcro?"

"Yeah," he said simply. She laughed a little then leaned her head against his shoulder. He in turn put his arm around her shoulders, frowning slightly because of her laughter. Though she didn’t see this she still explained it.

"You're wonderful Frankie, simply wonderful."

"How so?"

"Velcro is awesome."

"Okay then."

"Yup," she said as she mindlessly cradled and fussed with her wrist.

"What happened?" Frank asked with concern.

"I was maimed."

"What?" he asked turning to look at her. She smiled at him then looked down at her wrist.

"I fell off the chair just don’t tell them," she said while nodding back at the house, "they might take it the wrong way."

"You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, it just hurts a little."

They both stood up and headed back in. Gerard raised an eyebrow then mouthed 'ohh' as in I get it.

"So, are we done for the night?" Frank asked Gerard.

"Why, got a hot date?" Gerard asked him. Frank sort of glowered at him.

"No, I want to know when I can go home and sleep."

"Sure yeah I think we're done with practice. What time is it?" Mikey looked at his watch and then said, "Nine o'clock."

"The night is still young! I say we do something Like show Katie here a good time. All who agree say 'yay', besides Frank of course whom we knows more than agrees," Gerard said winking at Frank.

Katie laughed and smiled at Frank. He smiled back, his sweet smile that made her blush and look at the floor.

"I'm game," Mikey said.

"Yeah, I can go I guess," came Ray's response.

No reply came from Matt, the drummer. He was already gone, left for home.

"Well I guess we're going then. Where to?" Gerard said.

"Excuse me," Katie piped in, "don’t you think you should check and see if I want to go?" she said with sarcasm.

"Do you want to go?" Gerard asked.

"Yup," she said.

"Then why did you do that?" Ray asked, not comprehending her need to be difficult.

"Because I could," Katie said smiling evilly.

"Do you need a spanking?" Gerard asked.

"Nope, not from you. I can do that myself," she said while demonstrating.

"Talent," Gerard said in response.

"Without a doubt," Mikey agreed.

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