Coffee and Cigarettes

4

"Ooh. Yeah, you're fucked." Even Gerard knew going into the locker room while Brendon was in there was near suicide no matter who you are. For Frank, it would be imminent death.

"We'll sneak in really quick when it seems like the football team has left and then leave as fast as possible. He won't even know we were there." Ray instructed.

"Ughh. I don't like this plan but I need to wash them. It was kickball day and I got super gross. Fine. You guys are coming with me," Frank decided. "Yes, You too Gerard. I see the look on your face. Gerard sighed and shrugged with a smile. The three filed out of the science room one behind the other, after getting an all clear from Ray, who was at the front, indicating the hallway was empty.

"We'll get in and get out. Thankfully it's October so the football team is most likely still practicing outside rather than doing weight room stuff." Ray commented.

"Why would they only do weight room in the off season, wouldn't that defeat the purpose of it?" Gerard replied.

"Oh yeah..." Ray hummed, as a sense of impending doom seeped into his forebrain.

The group slunk into the locker room, taking great care to avoid opening the door loudly or slamming it behind them. Ray, still at the front as he was the tallest so the others could hide behind him should anyone else of opposition be hanging around in the athletic wing, held up 2 fingers on his left hand, hanging at his side, indicating he couldn't see anyone. Ray's curly haired head stuck out higher than the half-height gym lockers, unlike Frank's, who could easily fit in one. Frank found his way down to the third to last row of lockers and began fighting with the combination lock on one labeled, '5003, Lero'.

Couldn't even spell his last name right, Gerard thought. He hadn't even known him a full day and knew Iero contained no 'L'.

"Got it, let's scram," Frank said, holding up a drawstring bag. "Oh god." The unmistakable clink of the door handle unlatching rung like a church bell through the otherwise empty locker room. Frank ducked into his locker, clearly knowing he fit based on numerous years of being locked into them like an unwanted math textbook. Ray and Gerard looked at eachother, fear stricken. Both crouched down to avoid being seen. Gerard ducked behind the door of an open locker, blocking him from view, while Ray snuck into a shower to hide behind the curtain. The chatter of upperclassmen followed footsteps clicking with dozens of cleat-studs. The out of place music students braced for impact. Thankfully, most stayed towards the front of the room, none the wiser to their presence. Unfortunately however, the sound of Brendon Urie's booming choir kid voice and matching obnoxious footsteps came closer and closer to the back rows.

"I'm telling you, Ryan, Coach is making a mistake. We *are* going to the playoffs this year and theres no point in acting like we aren't." 

"You're overconfidence is exactly why he wants to bench you. You heard what he said about avoiding any issues, just keep your fucking head down, man. It's great you think that but just shut up." Ryan replied.

"Just because you suck at kicking doesn't mean I suck at quarterbacking. Don't take your shit practice out on me."  Brendon scoffed.  The trio went thankfully unnoticed in their respective hiding places. To Frank, this was a gold mine. He finally had a one-up on the great and powerful Brendon Urie. Things weren't going as well in the football world as portrayed and Frank was about to take full advantage. 

As the football team exited the locker room, with better smelling, non-football related clothes, Ray breathed a sigh of relief, having avoided the team as well as a very awkward conversation about why he was in the shower fully clothed. 

"I'm pretty sure that was the scariest moment of my life." Gerard sighed, standing up. 

"That was the best moment of mine!" Frank exclaimed.