Part Four: Chapter One

   The jolting of the van rolling over the uneven Kentucky roads woke me from my deep sleep. I stretched, but wasn’t really ready to get up and snuggled closer to whatever I was leaning against. It smelt really splendid, it was comfy, and so was I.  Lazily, I opened one eye and pushed my hair back enough to see.

“Hey, sugar.” Gerard’s gorgeous smiling face peered down at me through the bright sunlight pouring through his open window. He helped brush my bangs out of the way with the hand that used to be on my hip while the other was occupied with the wheel. I sleepily looked around the van; I was sprawled across the middle and passenger seat of the front of the van, my freshly pedicure black toes pressed against the door with my head in Gerard’s lap, franks’ and Mikey’s soft voices could be heard behind me, and the radio was playing Sara Bareilles’ Love Song softly, but still audible.

I grunted and squinted at the sunlight in response and he laughed a whole-hearted laugh and patted my hip. “You’ll get used to it spider monkey.”

“This spider doesn’t have to get used to anything.” I pushed myself up with one arm and yawned loudly. He smoothed out my wreckage of hair and set his hand on my leg, changing his sight to the road. I was still in the same clothes from the hotel in Florida and

I really could use a shower. We had been driving three days straight.

“Hey, we’re hungry back here. Pull over.”

“Like there’s gonna be any food on the side of the road, Frank.” I chuckled while Gerard reluctantly pulled over. We all started putting shoes and shirts on.

“But, we still have our food back here.” I heard him grin cheesily as he pulled his shirt on. I turned around and covered my eyes the instant they reached his tattooed chest.

“God, you mind covering that up? You’re gonna poke someone’s eyes out!” frank made a scowling face at me and before I could think about what he was doing, he quickly jumped out of the van. I screamed playfully and scrambled to lock the door, but I wasn’t quick enough. Gerard laughed nervously and got out of the car.

“Living in a world of two year olds.” I heard him mutter, laughing.

“Frank!” I yelled because he had picked me up and slung me over his shoulder.

“Alrighty so where do I put this thing?” frank asked Gerard. He turned around so gee could see my face. I blew the hair out of my eyes and made a pouty face. He walked closer and kissed my nose.

“You can leave her right here.” He patted my head and turned frank around.

“But…”

“Sorry, kid. Right here or you don’t get any food.”

“That’s not fair.” Frank put me down and I brushed myself off.

“You think we could get a hotel instead of living in your van? You’ve got a tour bus yeah?”

“Well, yeah, but I didn’t think you wanted people following the bus.” Gerard gave me a matter-of-fact look and dished out the food.

“Like the attachment to the van reading ‘MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE’ in big letters helps either.” He didn’t say anything back as I scowled at him. I couldn’t see how they lived off of cold pizza so I ditched it and brought out the atlas. After a few minutes of looking I figured out that a hotel should be just a few miles away. It’s not a roach motel it’s a best western or something. So, once they were done eating we drove to the hotel. It was really nice. I checked in and got our room key.

“See, aren’t you glad we stopped? Showers and free food for everyone.” I pulled him to me and hung onto his waist. He huffed a long sigh and pulled me closer.

“I wanna press the button!” I yelled once we were at the elevator.

“But it’s my turn.” Frank whined. People around us gave me a few looks.

“Not this again.” Gerard reached around me and pressed the up button.

“That is so not fair; actually I think it should be illegal.”