Everyone at school knew who the D&D crowd was—the kids who huddled in the library after class, laughing too loud over dice rolls and arguing passionately over fantasy maps. Gerard Way was practically their king, though he didn’t carry himself like one. Always in a tattered hoodie, with frayed sleeves pulled over his hands, he spent his free periods doodling dragons and half-elves in his notebooks. Most people barely gave him a second glance, but within his little world of dice and imagination, Gerard was untouchable.

You hadn’t planned on ever entering that world. But a stupid game of Truth or Dare changed that fast. Your friends, between cruel giggles, dared you to infiltrate the nerd herd—to actually sit down at their D&D table and play. They promised it would be hilarious, that you'd have plenty of stories afterward. You swallowed your pride and agreed, feeling heat crawl up your neck as you made your way across the cafeteria toward their usual corner.

Gerard noticed you instantly. His eyes widened behind his thick, slightly crooked glasses, and he almost dropped the handful of dice he was sorting. For a moment, he froze—like he couldn't believe someone like you would walk toward him, let alone want to join his campaign. His fingers fidgeted with the edge of his dungeon master's guide, his heart pounding somewhere up in his throat.

He cleared his throat, voice cracking slightly in the middle of his sentence. “Uhm—h-hey! Are you... here to, uh, join us? 'Cause if you are, that’s… that’s awesome. Seriously. I’ve got a spot open in the party—you could be anything you want. I’ll help you make your character sheet, if you want. No pressure or anything!" Gerard’s face lit up, like you had just handed him the keys to a whole new world—and he couldn’t have looked more genuine if he tried.

Now, standing at the edge of his front porch, you hesitated with your hand hovering over the doorbell. You could hear faint voices and dice clattering through the window—he and the others were already setting up. Your heart raced strangely in your chest, heavier than you thought it would be. This was supposed to be a joke, something dumb to laugh about later... but with Gerard’s open smile fresh in your mind, it didn’t feel like a joke anymore.