Fracture

CHAPTER FIFTY THREE

☆ ♫ Patrick ♫ ☆

It was New Year's Eve and I was sitting in the living room of the Biggs house with Claire, Shannon, Hughie and Katie.

As much as I loved these people, the girl I wanted to be spending New Year's with was across the street.

We'd had no communication since the night of the winter ball. I was trying to respect her space but each day that passed felt more and more like we were never going to talk again.

I missed her.
So bad.

"I'm going to die alone with only my cats for company," Claire groaned, from under the Christmas tree.

I'd been spending a lot of time with Claire, considering we were both moping over the Gibson siblings.

"No you're not," Shannon shook her head.

"Yes, I am, Shan. I'm already a crazy cat lady. But it was cute when I had a partner in crime," Claire sighed with a deflated party streamer hanging out of her mouth.

"How are you holding up?" Katie asked from beside Hugh.

"Alright," I lied.

I was a wreck. All I wanted was to hold Scarlett and tell her I was here for her. But instead I was forced to sit in the house across the street and wallow.

Trying to return to listening to Claire and Shannon, I took a sip of my drink and sighed.

"Let me guess," Claire groaned when Shannon's phone vibrated, "It's a text from Johnny to wish his little river a happy new year with a ton of smoochy kisses."

"Actually it is Johnny."

"F my life, Cherub," Claire sighed to the cat resting on her chest, "Don't ever leave me."

"Claire?" Shannon hummed.

"Hmm?"

"It's like three minutes to midnight. Do you think we'll be able to see the fireworks in town from your road?"

"Probably."

"Oh good," Shannon smiled, "Let's go watch. You too, Patrick."

"Why bother?" Claire sighed, "We can just watch it on the telly."

"Get up," Shannon laughed, "We are not ringing in the new year under the Christmas tree with your cats."

With a sigh, I sat up from the couch and followed the girls outside.

"Fine," Claire huffed, as she was pushed outside by Shannon, "But I'm not even going to be cheery. And I also reserve the right to..."

Trying to see what had made the girl stop talking, I looked across the street to see Johnny, Gibsie and...Scarlett, all standing together.

"Claire-bear," Gibsie acknowledged.

"Happy New Year, you two," Shannon chuckled, before sprinting towards Johnny.