The Opportunity of a Lifetime

Chapter 45 (Patrick's POV)

Running. I've just been running.

I'm not really sure where, but I need to get my anger out. I can't believe Allie did this. Actually, I can. I should have known. I should have been there for Hailey. I vowed to myself that I would protect her, and what happened? She got fucking kidnapped!

I should have insisted that Cheryl stay behind. She offered it, but Hailey thought she'd be alright. Well, she's definitely not alright!

"Patrick! Patrick, get back here right now!"

Fuck. Of course they'd come after me. I just push off the asphalt harder.

Who knows what Allie is doing to her right now. Hitting her? Threatening her? What about Gracie? What will she think? Oh, no, she'll be scarred for life when she realizes her mom is a psychotic kidnapper. I have to be there. But where is there?

I'm thinking so hard that I don't realize I'm about to run out into the road. Into oncoming traffic.

"Patrick! No! Stop!"

My head snaps up just in time to see a truck coming right for me, the driver texting and oblivious that I'm even there. I don't have enough time to jump out of the way. Its going to hit me.

I scrunch my face up and brace for the impact, but I hear really loud screeching and a puff of air blows my hair back, the smell of exhaust filling my nose. I open one of my eyes, wondering why it didn't hurt. I see from my squint that the truck is literally not even an inch away from me.

My eyes widen, and I jump back, body shaking from shock.

"Hey, man, why were you in the middle of the- wait, are you Patrick Stump?"

I don't have time for small talk with the stupid driver. I have to find Hailey. I turn to run, but I hear my friends' voices right behind me. I sprint off, not exactly sure why I'm running from them; I just want to be alone. Of course my wish isn't fulfilled, because I feel someone's hands grip my shoulders, jerking me back.

"Patrick, please don't run-" Pete starts, but Cheryl interrupts him.

"What the hell were you thinking, dipshit?!" Then she slaps the back of my head. Hard.

"Hey, what the fuck, Cheryl?" I ask angrily.

"That's for running away, you dumbass."

"Don't call me that."

"Dumbass," she says smugly. I won't dare hit her, but she's really making me want to. I just narrow my eyes at her. Andy can sense the tension, so he jumps in between us, facing me.

"Anyway, were going to save Hailey. Together."

"How, exactly, are we supposed to do that? Please, enlighten me," I mutter, crossing my arms.

He just gives me his famous smile, pulling out his phone. I sigh. Can he not stick to the subject?

"I tracked her."

"Wait, what?"

"I downloaded a tracker on my phone and tracked her phone. It tells us exactly where she is," Andy explains. Everyone's silent, and I huff impatiently.

"Then, what are we waiting for? Let's go save Hailey then!" After I yell that rather aggressively, everyone scrambles around, running in several directions. I slap my hand to my forehead.

"Dipthongs," I mutter, running in the right direction. Everyone starts to realize my way is the right way, and they trail after me.

We finally make it to the bus after what seems like forever. The driver is asleep on the couch. Of course, everything has to go wrong now.