critical veins || peterick

chapter forty (end)

Pete's POV

I can't focus in class; mostly because Patrick was absent. He hadn't answered my frantic texts, and my mind was abuzz with different possibilities as to why he wasn't here at Harper.

I'm so distracted by the thoughts that I don't realize the precalc teacher is calling my name. I blink back into reality where my classmates snicker.

"Um...Yes, Mr. Wright?" I shift uncomfortably in my seat, weighed down by the glare he sends in my direction.

"Why don't you come up and solve this problem for the class?" he says, gesturing to the complicated mess of numbers and lines on the chalkboard. I gulp, slightly intimidated by the difficulty of the task. Joe casts me a pitiful look, to which I return with a scowl. He looks away, stifling a laugh.

I tread up to the board, looking up at whatever the hell he scrawled. Just as I'm about to pick up a piece of chalk to work it out, I feel the distinct vibration of my phone receiving texts in pocket.

Patrick?

"Um, sir...I do not know how to solve this problem." Doing this brought out several giggles from the class but I was willing to do anything to check for any updates from my baby boy.

Mr. Wright merely shook his head. "Tsk tsk, Peter. This is why we pay attention in class." I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to channel the whole Oops! This is what happens when you don't listen to adults, kids! You end up looking like an idiot vibe.

Joe raised his hand casually. "I'll attempt to solve it, sir."

"Good save, Trohman. Come up here and see if you actually have the nerve to at least pick up the chalk and get something down on the board." Everyone giggled again.

As the fro got up, I shot him a look of utmost gratitude. He must've noticed the urgency in my eyes as he merely nodded when he brushed past. Mr. Wright's austere gaze lingered on me for a few moments as I sat down before facing Joe to see how he progressed with the equation.

Shifting slightly, I looked around to see if any of the ratters in this class were watching. Thankfully nobody gave a shit after my humiliation. I pulled out my phone and was relieved to find a strew of texts, all from Patrick. It dissipated rather quickly when I noticed that each message had its fair share of typos, meaning it was urgent. I opened them up right away.

beautiful baby boy
im lecvinf
plese cimeb
ik sorru bsby
i djdnt whay thsir tobhaopen
mtbsroo fckjfb
i lov

What the hell? I narrowed my eyes, trying to decipher the mess of letters. All I could make out was "please come", "im sorry baby", and "i didnt want this to happen". All I knew was that I had to be there.

Joe's finished by the time I look up, and he's surprisingly found the solution. Mr. Wright looks utterly impressed and full of disbelief. I take this moment to ask for a hall pass.

"Is it an emergency?" he asks, annoyance edging his tone.

"Um...Yeah." At least that was the truth.

"Hm...I'll let you go if you can solve this next equation." Joe glanced over, mouthing the word yikes as the professer erases the board and draws up another problem.

Frustrated, I stand up, shoving my seat behind me. Mr. Wright glances over his shoulder, raising a brow. "Is there a problem, Peter?"

"Um, duh. I really need to go." More snickers and even a few "oohs".

"Not with that attitude," Mr. Wright scolds, looking back at the dusty green board.

I ball up my fists. "No."