“What do you mean, 'they can't go'?!" I stomped angrily from the living room into the kitchen, with my fathers close behind. "You promised them - you promised me - that they could. All of my friends, not just the bands either.
My name is Danni Way. For the first few years of my life, I thought I had a sister named Emily and that my parents were dead. However, after famous rock stars Gerard Way and Frank Iero adopted me, I found out that Gerard was my real father. I made tons of new friends and got a wonderful boyfriend when I moved in with them. I also found out that this 'wonderful boyfriend', Steven, wasn't so wonderful after he nearly beat me to death and put me in a coma. Once I awoke, my friends and I soon formed a band called Playing With Madness and discovered we would be opening for My Chemical Romance's upcoming cross-country tour.
“We're sorry Danni, but there's just way too much money involved.” Gerard explained this for the second time, a little angrier now. “We only have on tour bus, and with gas prices there's no way we can get another one. Plus everyone's going to want food and merch and games... it's all just too much.”
I hung my head and stared at the hardwood floor beneath my feet. Everyone had been so excited to go on tour with MCR. This was sure to make them hate me, at least for a little while. Suddenly my head shot up.
“What about Corey?” The two men looked at each other, then shook their heads no. I starred my fathers hard in the eyes. “Then I don't go. Simple as that.”
“Danni...” Frank sighed. “Stop being so damn stubborn!”
“I'm not being stubborn, dad!” I stated loudly. “I will not leave him here alone as I go have fun.”
“He's not going and that's final!” Gerard yelled, red in the face. There was a moment of silence, then I spoke quietly.
“I hate you...” I said it flatly as if I had no more feelings for either of them. After an awkward silence. I sighed and walked upstairs, hoping I really hurt them. I knew I did because before I walked into my room, I heard a sort of sob. Somewhere inside of me, I kinda felt bad. 'But they deserve it,' I thought. 'If they don't want me happy, then they won't be happy either.'
I slammed my door hard for dramatic effect and stomped over to my bed, crashing down face first into the comfy sheets. I laid there for at least an hour before I heard the front door open and close. Great. Now that the rest of the guys were here, my dads would be crying to them like a couple of fired hookers.
After cooling down, I picked up my phone and started dialing my friend's numbers. I deemed this as pointless because I got the same response, a hung up phone, which only made me more mad. By the time I got to Corey, I was ready for the worse. And this time I had a come-back.
“Corey, I'm sorry, but you can't go on the tour with us.” I readied myself for his response, which I knew was gonna be bad.
“It's alright, Danni.”
“Now listen here! It's not my fault. My dads decided to be – WHAT?” There was a slight laugh on the other end of the phone.
“I said it's alright. I'm not mad at you or anything. How could I ever be mad at you?” I smiled for the first time that day.
“Oh, Corey.” I sighed kinda gushing. “You're so sweet and such a good boyfriend!” I giggled at myself and how dorky I sounded, but I knew Corey didn't care.
For the next hour, I talked to Corey. He made me in such a good mood, I didn't care about the tour. But I knew all that would disappear when I was called for dinner.
Mikey, Ray, and Bob were all sitting at the table when I went downstairs, already eating. There was one seat open, unfortunately between Frank and Gerard. I sat down silently, mentally glaring at them through the sides of my head.
Conversations went on around the table as I sat in silence. When someone asked me or said anything to me, I looked at the for a few seconds then continued to eat. When I finally finished, I began to walk back upstairs. But before I made it out of the kitchen, I finally said something.
“Oh, by the way dads,” I said this with my back turned towards them. “My friends all hate me. Thanks for ruining my life!” I made myself angry (again) and stomped upstairs, slamming my door behind me.
While lying on my bed, my blasting music of Mayday Parade in the background, I imagined the probable conversations that might have gone on downstairs after my 'temper tantrum'. They all could've laughed and called me a drama queen. Someone could've called me a bitch, if not all of them. Then there was the idea of them changing their minds, though that wasn't likely as any of the other outcomes.
Finally, at around eleven O' clock, I decided to come out of my bat cave to get a drink before bed. Werty, my dog, followed me down the hall and into the kitchen. As I walked back, I heard whispers coming from my dad's room, since the door was open, I got closer and realized the was also some crying.
“Hush now, Frank” I heard Gerard say. Peeking in the room unseen, I saw Frank huddled up in my dad's arms. “You'll wake her up, sugar. Danni will forgive us.
“When?!” Frank sobbed. I could barely hear him because of his face being buried in Gerard's chest. He mumbled somethings that I couldn't understand. Gerard kissed Frank's head and began to brush his hair with his hand.
“You are a good parent baby.” he told him. “Danni loves you and you know that. She's just angry at the moment. She didn't mean any of what she said, I promise”
“She meant it, Gerard. Can't we just at least let Corey go?
“I already said no...” Gerard sighed, letting go of Frank and now crossing his arms.
“Sweetheart, please... I'll make me so much happier. Think about it, what could they possibly do in a room full of other people that they don't do already?” Gerard though for a few minutes. “Please?
“Fine.” He finally replied. Frank jumped up and hugged Gerard tightly. I wanted to do the same thing. My Corey on tour with my band! I'd get to see him everyday, kiss him everyday. God, I couldn't wait to tell him tomorrow!
“When will we tell her?” Frank asked. He sounded like a little kid asking to see Santa Clause.
“Tomorrow.” I heard the shuffling sound of sheet, signaling that they were finally going to bed. “Go to sleep now sugar. 'Night.”
I felt like I floated to my bedroom. I plopped down on my bed and within a few minutes I was asleep with a smile on my face.
I woke up early the next morning, before my dads, and made breakfast for all of us. Nothing says I love you more than chocolate chip pancakes and coffee! Still, I ignored them as they came downstairs and retrieved their own food. Watching the tiny portable TV that sat on the kitchen, I chewed slowly and waited for them to say something about Corey. Nothing came out of any of our mouths, not even as I began to walk up the steps and retreated to my bedroom.
What was wrong with them? Had they changed their minds again, sticking with their first answer? Whatever it was, they certainly were confusing my. I talked on the phone with Corey most of the day, saying nothing about what I had overheard from my fathers the night before. I didn't was to disappoint him any more if they really were saying no.
Though, our first stop on the tour was only two days away and Corey was coming over for dinner tomorrow. We were to leave tomorrow night, right after dinner. All of our stuff was packed already. I called up on my band mates to review meeting times and show venues. But what about Corey? He would stay here, all alone for six months, while I toured the country.
When dinner time came, I refused to go downstairs to eat. Instead, I stayed up in my room, pigging out on my stash of junk food. I talked to Corey the entire night and actually fell asleep with a box of cheese-its and my cell phone in my hands.
The next morning, I awoke to a familiar, angelic voice.
“Danni? Danni, wake up!” My eyes fluttered open and standing over me was my prince. I immediately jumped up out of bed and hugged him tightly.
“Corey! What are you doing here? Oh my God, did I oversleep?” He laughed and hugged me again, kissing my forehead.
“No babe.” He replied. His smooth voice instantly calmed me down. “It's only 10 'o clock. Hurry up and take a shower. Your dads and I have a surprise for you.”
I kissed him quickly then ran to the bathroom. Leaving my hair wet and messy, I found Corey still sitting on my bed, waiting patiently for me. He took my hand and led me down the stairs. I saw my parents standing side by side and, behind the were several travel.
“What's going on?” I question out loud. Frank and Corey just smiled. I turned to Gerard.
“Well, Frank and I talked about it,” he started. “And we decided we would let Corey come with us on tour.”
I rushed forward and tackled my fathers to the ground. Giving them enormous hugs and kisses, I heard Corey laughing hysterically. So I got up, saying thank you over and over again to my parents, and now gave Corey his turn of suffocating hugs.
“Daddy's, thank you so much!” I was nearly in tears from being so happy. I now turned to Corey. “And you! How long did you know about this?” He blushed, not sure on if he should tell me or not. Apparently Gerard or Frank gave him a nod, because he began to reply.
“Well, Frankie called me about five days ago and told me about their plan.”
“Plan?”
“Yeah,” he scratched his head, still blushing. I couldn't deny it, he look absolutely adorable right then. “We all knew that prices were an issue, that's true. They wanted to get all your other friends out of the way first. Then they told you that I couldn't go.”
“That's why you were so calm on the phone.” He laughed.
“I admit that I'm not that great of a lier. Especially when it comes to you.” He took my face in his strong hands and gave me a light kiss on my cheek.
“C'mon Frank.” I heard Gerard whisper. “Let's give them some time alone.” I smiled to myself, glad my parents were finally accepting the fact I was growing up. I lead Corey over to the couch, letting him sit down first so I could rest my body against his. We look at each other for a little while until I recognized something different about him.
“Corey, what's wrong?” There was a certain look in his eyes that told me something was up. He turned away and stared off into somewhere else.
“Nothing. It's alright.”
“Corey, you're really scaring me. Is there someone else? Are you going to leave me?” He sighed, facing me and held my hands in his.
“I've been thinking a lot lately...” He began, looking me straight in the eyes. “And I realized exactly how much I care about you. Danni, I love you. Over the past couple of months, I really found out what true love it. You give me feeling I absolutely adore and after all this time, you still give me butterflies. I don't care what anyone has to say about you, you're special to me. I know nobody would believe me because we're so young, and Goddamn it, I don't care if you hate me forever for this. But I love you. We were meant to be together.” I just sat there, amazed by the words he had just spoken to me, ME of all people.
How could someone so gorgeous, so amazing, so angelic love someone like me? Was this a joke? Or was it a perfect dream? Whatever it was, I never wanted it to end. I never wanted life with this perfect human being to end.
“Danni?” His voice broke through my thoughts and his face came into view. “Danni, please say something.” With tears in my eyes, I looked at him and told him the truth.
“Corey. One day someone will walk into your life and make you realize why it never worked out with anyone else. You're that someone for me.” I took a long sigh and spit it out. “I love you, too.” A huge smile formed on his lips and before I knew it, I was crying happily in his arms. And in that moment, I swear we were infinite. It was just us two in the entire world. I could've gone on forever hugging him like that. Unfortunately for us, the doorbell rang.
Quickly rubbing my eyes dry, I got up and answered the door. The happy faces of Mikey, Ray, and Bob greeted me and I forced a smile through my aggravation. The band mates always ruined the best moments. I mean I loved the guys to death, but did they have to some over every single day?!
Then I thought back to all the times they've been there for me. They took me from being a crazed teenie and accepted me as part of the real MCR family. All in all, I wouldn't was anybody else to be as close as they were to me.
“Danni? Earth to Danni?” Bob's voice snapped me out of my reflection. I look up at their faces and gave them a real smile.
“Hey guys! Ready for the big tour?” I gave them all big hugs as they walked in the door, greeting Corey when they saw him. No sooner did the door close, Gerard and Frank bounded down the stairs.
“Danni,” Frank said. “The guys and us are going to go downstairs and have one last practice. Then we're going to need you and Corey's help with taking equipment out to the van, okay?”
“Yes, daddy.” I ran over to both my fathers and gave them quick hugs and kisses before they went into the basement. Corey and I headed back over to the couch, plopping down and giggling at out childishness. Things turned serious again, though, when Corey started kissing me. I could tell he wanted me right then and now, but he didn't want to make things awkward. I told him this and he smiled.
“You're right, Danni.” He replied, kissing me softly on my forehead. “I don't want to screw things up with you. Plus, unlike that asshole Steven, I'm not going to even try to force you to do anything you don't want to do.” My perfect angel referring to my last boyfriend, who beat me into a coma and nearly rapped me beforehand, made me cry.
“Shh,” Corey whispered, stroking my hair and holding me closely to his warm, perfect body. “It's okay baby girl. You'll never have to see him again.” I sniffled and looked up at him, wiping some tears on the back of my sleeve.
“I'm afraid to sleep alone, Corey.”
“Why?”
“I'm afraid that he'll come into my house and start beating me again.” I was crying really hard now and knew Corey probably couldn't understand me. But, he nodded, showing that he did, so I continued. “That's why I have Werty sleep with me every night. He's a good watch dog and will let me know if anything goes wrong.”
“Danni, look at me.” Corey took my face in his hands turning my head himself. “I will NEVER let him get near you again. Do you understand me?” I nodded, my crying now stopping. “He's in juvi then jail for seven year. When he does get out, I will protect you with my life.”
I believed him. I knew he would do anything to make sure I was safe. We laid there on the couch for a long time, not moving or talking. The only sound was the music coming from the basement. It felt like forever, like time was stopped just for us.
Somewhere in the forever, I fell sleep for the first time with no fear in my heart. Only love and security.
