Seeing You - Boys of Tommen

Sober Thoughts

November 1st, 2001

Patrick:

My head was pounding, I don't know what I thinking getting plastered on a school night but I was currently dealing with the consequences.

I had managed to get through the first half of the day, through sheer will, fighting the urge to not vomit or just get down on the ground, curl up and fall asleep.

The only thing that was grounding me was the memory of Katie's beautiful voice. It was haunting me, and I never wanted it to stop.

I had without a doubt, made a fool of myself the night prior although thankfully, all I can remember after those dreadful games is her captivating voice, my head resting on her lap in the back seat of my Mam's car, and repeatedly referring to her as Katie Kat. I think she may have been in my room, but I really couldn't say.

I drag myself to the lunch room and sit down at the same time as Gibsie. Hugh's across from me and he looks rough, like he hasn't had a wink of sleep. Gibsie's in similar shape. 

"How are ya doing Pat?" Johnny asks chuckling, as he gently nudges Katie who starts giggling. 

"Good. You?"

"I'm fine, aren't you going to ask how Katie Kat's doing?" Katie's now blushing.

"What?" I ask pretending not to remember.

"Maybe this will jog your memory..." Johnny starts humming, the song from last night "With or Without You."

Katie lightly shoves at him, "leave him alone." How did Johnny know? Did Katie tell everyone?

"What are you two smiling about, and why do you look so...not dead?" Gibsie asks towards Johnny and Katie.

"I had the foresight to not get absolutely shitfaced two days before an Academy scout is coming to our away game."

Gibsie turns his attention to Katie expectantly, "and you?"

"School night." She answers.

"Right, why are you all smiley and picking on Feely?"

Katie speaks up, "We helped Patrick get home last night, he was a little...out of it."

"She's being nice, you were fucking crazy, I've never heard him speak that much." I was suddenly embarrassed, it wasn't a feeling I was used to it and it completely sucked.

"You were there?" I asked Johnny.

"How do you think you got home?" I look at Katie for a split second, unfortunately Johnny catches it. 

"Figures, you'd only remember her." Johnny says and continues his loud humming. 

Hugh is eying Johnny warily but not saying anything. 

"Was your Mam, mad about the party? and Patrick?" Katie asked Johnny.

"She was actually more disappointed I hadn't been drinking." Katie looks at him in confusion. "She thinks I take myself too seriously, she says I need to let loose."

"I would love to see that, lad. In fact, we should arrange it." Gibsie says.

"As long as Kate's there to sing to me." Johnny says, and Katie blushes, I can't help but feel jealous, if I was Hugh I would definitely say something, but his mind was elsewhere.

"When did this happen?" Gibsie asks.

"What?" Johnny responds.

"When did you two become such good friends?"

"We were the only sober ones at the party, we've bonded over making good decisions." 

Johnny was much more talkative than usual, it was out of character for him. 

Katie was speaking quietly to Hugh now, they were just making small talk about the party and their days. It was oddly domestic and I hated how jealous it made me, I needed to get a handle on myself. Before long, the bell rang and we were dispersing to our classes. My head was still pounding, and I had two more classes and a practice. Johnny walked beside me, humming away, it was going to be a long day.

Thanks for reading! More chapters to come! Also I know that Chloe Walsh has hinted at Patrick's nickname for Katie being Kitty Kat and not Katie Kat but I think it's kind of cringe so I changed it lol. - H <3