I'm Not Okay, I Promise. |Second Part To 'Stay With Me'| Adopted By Frank Iero

Jigsaw

The little family we were. Dysfunctional but yet we fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. I loved it.

--Morning--

I rushed down the steps as summer break was officially in place. Of to being a sophomore I go.

Dad was downstairs pouring coffee.

"Woah, hey kiddo. Whatcha doing with the board?" He asked as I held my skateboard in my hands.

"Can I go skate around the block? I know my way back, I swear!" I asked in excitement. I loved not having to go to school. It meant I was free from the bullying, the beatings, and the tests. I loved it.

"Okay, okay! Be back by dark, though." He said, putting a hand up in defense. I raced to the door as he chuckled.

"Thanks, dad!" I yelled as I closed the door. I could sense his smile from a mile away.

I skated, skated, and skated. I skated down the street until my feet hurt, and the breath of fresh air left me.

I came across a patch of a forest, however, so I decided to walk into it. It had tall grass with big trees and a little river.

My head turned as I heard a twig snap. I looked around me until I saw her. There she stood. Long red hair, and freckles, and was wearing a 'hippie-like dress. My eyes shot at her in excitement.

She smiled as she walked over.

"Hello there, what's your name?" She asked as she touched moss from trees. She walked like she owned the forest, I could tell I was invading her space.

"I- I'm Ash... I'm sorry for barging in, I was just gonna sit for a second, but I can go if you want." I said rushing. She walked closer and closer.

"No, you don't have to leave. I'm Bailey. Nice to meet you, Ash." She said as she extended her hand and smiled at me. I took her hand and smiled back.

She used my hand as a guide to get over to me. She then sat down right near the mouth of the river. She was beautiful, the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.

I sat down with her and offered her one of my headphones. I had been trying to listen to more music than just dad's. So I was listening to Green Day.

She politely took it with a smile. We sag there until the break of the night talking, and listening to the sound of music and water. I enjoyed her company.

"I'll see ya around!" I yelled as I rushed back to my house. I waved at her goodbye. She simply smiled and waved.

I opened the door and quickly closed it. I set my board down near the stairs.

"DAD! I'm home!" I yelled... nothing. So I walked into the kitchen and out to the garage. It smelt like skunk.

I coughed.

"What the fuck." I asked myself.

Frank looked over at me. "Shit it's dark isn't it." He sighed to himself.

"ARE YOU HIGH!?" I yelled at him. The garage was smoky as hell.

"Ow, that hurt." He said covering his ears.

"I'm calling Jamia," I said sternly grabbing my phone. He sunk to the floor.

--Frank--

I'm a horrible father. Here I was in the garage, smoking a blunt for the first time in five years. I had quit just four years before Ash. That shit messed me up a lot.

Then the door opened again. I looked up to see Jamia. I smiled a bit.

She looked down at me sadly. I hated when she was sad. We didn't say anything, she just helped me up and to my room. I lay down on my king-sized bed. She sat on the edge.

I sat up to face her. She smacked me.

"I deserve that," I whispered.

She got up this time.

"What the fuck Frank! You have a child! A child came home to see his father smoking alone in the garage. What were you thinking?! We're you thinking this kid who grew up with addicts wouldn't know? Do you think the kid who's trying to quit would know? Do you think your own family wouldn't know? That's fucked up! This is so fucked up Frank!" She yelled at me pacing around.
All I could think about was Ash.

"Where's ash?" I asked standing up. She pushed me back down jabbing a finger in my face.

"No! You don't get to go out there and pretend your fine! Your kid is sitting in his room crying his eyes out! I'm taking him for the night." She said, she slammed the door on her way out. Finally, her words registered in my head. She was taking Ash for the night. She was taking my kid. I had fucked up badly this time.

I ran out my door downstairs.

"Wait. Wait, wait! This is my kid. If he's going anywhere it's with Gee. You're way to fucking emotional right now and we both know it Jamia." I said gritting my teeth. She sighed.

"Well, who do you want to explain this shit to him then hm?" She yelled at me. Ash was in the car waiting. He could see us. I pulled her towards the shades. She threw her hands off me and then looked out the window. She nodded to herself.

"I want him to go with Gee. I want what's best for him right now and that's with Gerard." I said sternly. She started to cry.

"You don't trust me? You don't trust me with this child who you have hurt?" She asked. Her voice was coated with his anger and sadness.

"Jamia. You know that isn't true. I just want him to go with Gerard." I said calmly. I gripped her shoulders. She looked at me.

"Fine. I'll take him to Gerard's." She said sternly. She slammed the door on her way out. There I stood watching my family leave me.

The jigsaw family was falling apart.

*I legit hate this chapter but it's needed*