Perspectives

Her Step Closer

~three months later~

Claire's pov:

It has been a couple months since the fight went down, Jake asked me out, I said yes knowing that Patrick still had feelings for me. Patrick kept quiet after he had gotten suspended. Everyday I want to ask him how he was doing but Jake tells me it isn't a good idea to talk to the guy that beat up my boyfriend. I agree with him but something inside me wants to talk to him. After school finished, Jake and I walked out to the parking lot, I asked him if he wanted to come over and hang out for a bit, but he told me he was busy. "Maybe this was the night." I thought to myself as Jake drove off. I saw Patrick walking with his head down, looking at his phone, to his car. I quickly walked over to him as he put his hand in his pocket to grab his keys. I put my hand out and grabbed his wrist as I said "Hey-" he pulled his hand away quickly and looked at me with startled eyes. "Oh sorry.. I was just wondering if we could hang out, I can drive over to your place." I asked crossing my fingers hoping he would say yes. "Aren't you and Jake together?" he asked as I nodded yes, "I just want to talk to you, Jake doesn't have to know." Patrick's head rose and looked into my eyes. They were puffy and red with dark circles, he hadn't had been sleeping. As I stood there for a few minutes waiting for him to reply, he gave in, "Sure, just follow me." He said with his emotionless blank stare. I hurried off to my car and headed to Patrick's. Once we got there, we were both silent, sitting in the same position as the last time I was here. I could tell that he was uncomfortable so I tried to spark conversation, "How have you been these past few months?" He looked at me with a blank stare, knowing I already knew his answer, "I've been okay." He said with a slight mumble. I didn't want him to feel awkward around me, I wanted to get back to our old friendly hatred towards each other. I stood up, making him shoot me a confused look. I started to walk to his front door, I looked behind me, "You coming?" He stood up and asked where we were going. I said nothing and we got into my car. I pulled up at a gas station and grabbed a few drinks, still silent, I parked behind the grocery store. I got out and sat on the sidewalk. "What are you doing?" Patrick said as I handed him his drink. "We are going to sit here and talk to each other, like friends." He seemed shocked that I told him what to do, but he sat next to me and opened his beverage. Finally, I might get some words out of this kid. After awhile of talking and confessing, I could tell he was becoming more comfortable around me. Time flew by and the sun was started to set. We had sat there for almost three hours, just talking about anything and everything. "We should probably start heading back." Patrick said as he stood up and reached his hand out to pull me up. I took his hand expecting only a slight tug to help me up. He pull was more aggressive than I thought, suddenly I was face to face with Patrick. His body pressed up against mine with his hand on my lower back, holding me up. I could feel the warmth of his body on mine, his heartbeat speeding up. Shock plastered all over his face that soon turned into a smug grin. His eyes softened, the hazel tint glistening off of the setting sun's rays. They were so calming, his eyes, they gazed into my soul and burned into my memory. Suddenly, I found myself lost in his golden eyes, I could feel his hand slowly start to go up my back and his other hand reach for my cheek. I could feel the warmth of his hand slowly become closer to my face, my eyes finally leave his captive scrutiny. I shove his hand away from my face, finally realizing his true intentions. His once content smile turned into a melancholy expression as he looked down at his hand. I couldn't look him in his eye without blushing,  "Uh, I think we should head home now Patrick." His head fell in despair, "You're right."  I felt bad but he knows that I'm with Jake. We got in the car and I drove him to his house, we were quiet the whole time, "I'll see you at school Claire." He said in a monotoned voice, "Hey, I'm sorry about earlier but you know I love Jake." He quickly turned away and walked to his door without saying a word. I hope he understands but I think I only caused him more pain than before. Fuck.