Someone Get Me to a Church - Petekey

Chapter 14

From the moment Pete arrived at the school, he was more than ready to run away. He was over the moon over the fact that Mikey even wanted to leave with him. This was the exact moment he had been patiently dreaming of. He was so infatuated with fantasizing about his future with Mikey. Where they'd live, the jobs they'd have, what their wedding would look like, what their sex would look like- the whole nine yards. He was happy that they hadn't had sex yet, as he thought doing it outside of the school once they were safe would be preferable. However, his sexual thoughts for the boy were ramping up as time went by, and although Mikey would be hesitant to admit it, his sexual thoughts of Pete were practically on a constant loop in his head. He still was yet to masturbate, but he had accidentally came in his pants a few times while making out with Pete. He prayed Pete didn't notice. Pete was good at pretending that he didn't.

It didn't take long for them to pack their things up, neither of the boys had much that they were going to take. Mikey, especially, was bringing practically nothing but his regular clothes and a couple important items, like his favorite bible and his cross necklace. Most of his real valuables were tucked away, hidden in shoeboxes or tucked under the mattress in his bedroom in his parent's homes. He knew he would probably never see his bedroom or his family again. it wasn't something he was keen on thinking about, though. It was better to think of what was ahead of him. Freedom.

Truthfully, most of the boy's time that evening was spent waiting. It wasn't an easy wait, either. Pete stared at the clock on the wall incessantly, unable to shake the excitment of the future that awaited him. The wall clock, however, could have cared less about his future, or at least that's what it felt like to him, since the narrow black hands seemed to trudge foward slower and slower the longer he waited.

"Do you really think we're gonna be able to escape? Like, really get away from here?" Pete asked Mikey, laying on his shoulder. This was a distinct tone shift for him, the fearless daredevil, as he was now the one who felt timid and nervous. He looked up at his boyfriend softly, but expectingly. He didn't know what he would do if Mikey were to give up now.

"I know we will. There's no need to worry. We ARE getting out tonight, Pete." Mikey assured, securing his arms tighter around Pete, gently embracing him. This was his attempt to calm the other down. His escape plan had to work.

There was simply no other option.

-

Eventually, it was time for them to sneak out. Gerard said to be in the meeting spot at 2:30am, and it was now 2:05. They no longer had time to waste. After a final look around the room to make sure nothing was left behind, they were finally ready to leave.

"You know what, Mikey? When I met you, I would have never thought that we would end up running away together. Hell, I didn't even think you'd leave the dorm after 9pm."

"Well, I guess you were a bad influence on me, then. I really would have never done this." Mikey joked, causing Pete to laugh. He gave him a soft kiss and walked to the door. "Are you ready?" he asked, trying to conceal all his fears within the question. He needed to be strong.

"Let's get out of here," Pete said, his voice oozing with excitement. They left, carrying only one backpack each and Pete's bass. They slowly opened their door, and gently shut it for the final time. They were both smart enough to wear dark clothes to blend in with the shadows. They creeped through the hallway and down the stairs, staying vigilant to make sure no one sees or follows them. Their biggest worry was the night guards, but they knew that they were only outside and were mostly at the main entrance of the campus. They made their way out the back door and sneaked to the forest behind the main sanctuary. The air was freezing cold around them and rain was thundering down at a rapid rate. They did not dress accordingly to this weather, but they both decided that catching a cold would be worth it if they got out. Although they both were thinking a million thoughts a minute, neither of them spoke much, simply because they weren't trying to get caught. Their quick glances and small smiles were all the communication they needed.

Thankfully, Gerard's directons were accurate, and they quickly landed themselves in the visitor's parking lot after only five minutes of walking through the woods. They got a little disheartened when they noticed one security guard, but were comforted by the fact that he was very distracted by his phone. As they sat in the bushes, their freedom lied straight ahead of them in the form of the unblocked, doorless gate. The large gate stood just as elegant as the one at themain entrance, but it was much less guarded. All the boys had to do was get through it without the guard looking up from his passionate game of Candy Crush.

"Should we just go for it?" Pete suggested, anxiety slipping through his voice. Mikey mustered up all the courage in his body and did something he never thought he could. Braver than confessing to Pete. Braver than coming out to Gerard. Without a sound, he grabbed Pete's hand and began to run. He ran straight to the gate, which was about 200 feet away. He knew that the guard could have caught them by simply looking up from his phone, but somehow, he continued to mindlessly swipe as Mikey and Pete quietly but strategically ran. They didn't stop running. They kept running, running, and running more until they saw a car blazing down the road, the headlights bright enough to blind them.

The couple finally stopped to catch their breath and relish in their victory, soaking wet from the rain. Pete pulled Mikey into a cold, wet bear hug as the car driving by stopped. Sure enough, it was a black PT Cruiser that had a man with greasy black hair and wide eyes posessing the driver's seat. He practicallty flew out of the car, despite the rain, interrupting the hug between the boys.

"Mikey!" Gerard exclaimed, his body beaming with energy at the sight of his drenched brother. Mikey quickly pulled himself out of Pete's embrace to lock himself into a hug with his long lost brother. "I never stopped worrying about you," Gerard whispered. He truly meant that. Mikey was at a loss for words, so he just silently cried into the other's shoulder. "I never thought I would see you again. I'm so glad you found me." Gerard added, slowly pulling himself away from his brother to look at him. "You look so different!" He exclaimed. He had a lot to talk about with his brother, but they had the entire 13 hour car ride back to talk. They needed to get on the road before people noticed that Mikey and Pete are gone. Gerard redirected his attention to the other boy, who had just been standing idly. "And you must be Pete!" he said happily. "I'm Gerard. Mikey's brother. I'm so glad to finally meet you." He spoke kindly to the stranger. Pete, overwhelmed with the happiness that came with his freedom, hugged Gerard. Although he was practically a stranger, he had saved him from that awful place.

"Thank you," Pete whispered to Gerard.

"No, thank you," He replied, "Mikey would still be in there if you hadn't been there for him." Pete nodded and continued to hug Gerard.

"'I'll be glad to never see that place again," Mikey chuckled, opening the backdoor of the car and sliding in. He wasn't completely lying when he said he wouldn't miss the place, as it brought him so much repression and pain, but he knew there would always be somewhat of a soft spot for the place that raised him. He had spent more time within the campus walls than he ever had at home, so naturally, the school sort of was what he imagined when he thought of childhood.

Still, he was glad to leave.

Pete and Gerard were quick to follow Mikey into getting in the car, and their journey to New Jersey finally began. Cooped up in the backseat with no seatbelts or shirts on, Pete and Mikey held each other close. They were irrevocably inseparable. Now that they were out in the world together, they were never going to let go.

"We're safe now." Mikey whispered softly, beginning to fall asleep with his arms around the smaller boy. Pete, who was already asleep, snored softly in response. Mikey couldn't prove it, but he would have sworn on the Bible that Pete fell asleep with a smile on his face that night. The wretched school may still be there, and the rain may still be pouring, and things may not stay as perfect as they are in this very moment, but all Mikey cared about was that he was with Pete, and that he had nothing to be ashamed about.
No God could ever make him feel guilty for loving Pete. Not anymore. In every sense of the word, Mikey was free.