A Conformist Love Story: Goth Kid Pete x Reader

Chapter Twelve

"What happened to you?" Stan asked, kneeling down to my level.

Do I even bother telling him...?

He didn't bother waiting for me to answer. He instantly stuck his and out, helping me up to my feet.

"Let's get out of here," he suggested. "We could get ice cream?"

"You just want to ditch like that?" I asked.

"I mean come on...look at you, were you actually planning on going back to class?" he asked, holding a cheeky smile.

I couldn't help but chuckle a bit with him. "Won't we get in trouble?"

"I mean probably, but it's only one day. What do you say? You want ice cream?" he asked, giving me a sweet smile.

I smiled back at him, genuinely feeling a little better. "Yeah, I'd like that."

He led us out to the parking lot where we got into his pickup. He let me play music as he drove us to the ice cream shop in town. We went through the drive through, and then Stan drove us around a little longer before finding a peaceful parking spot in the middle of nowhere, just outside of town.

"So, are you going to tell me what made you cry?" he asked.

He's the closest person I have to a friend here...if I'm going to tell anyone, it needs to be him.

I took a deep breath and slowly said, "It was Pete."

"Pete?" Stan questioned, obviously confused. "Like the goth kid?"

I gave a slight nod, feeling my anxiety start to stiffen up my body.

Stan looked taken back. "W-what? Are you serious? He? Him? Pete the goth kid made a girl like you cry like a little baby down the hallway?"

I playfully punched him the side of the arm and gave him a weak smile. "Don't make fun of me..."

"How did this even happen?" Stan asked, still in disbelief.

Maybe it's time I tell him everything. He's my best friend here. Even now he's managed to make me laugh...I can trust him.

"It all started when I first got here. I went to the grocery store for my grandparents where I saw Pete, looking like he was getting coffee or something, but since then, I literally couldn't get him out of my head," I started to explain.

"I mean that explains why you were so obsessed with him that first day," Stan commented. "But you talked to him?"

"I mean long story short, yeah. We had run into each other after school once, and he took me home. There we didn't talk much, though. It's rather stupid for me to feel so hurt over all of this," I admitted, laughing at myself a bit.

Stan let out a loud sigh, "You've got to be kidding me..."

"Stan?" I questioned, confused. "Are you okay?"

"No," he admitted with a forced laugh. "This entire time I have been beating myself up because I like you, and I know Kyle likes you- but you've been off hanging out with the Pete of all people. That's the guy who got your attention."

I shrunk back into my seat as far as I could feeling uncomfortable. I had no idea that Stan had felt that way. He was the one who even told me about Kyle, so why would've he done that?

"What do you mean? You were literally the one who told me that Kyle liked me- why would you—"

"I had some unfinished business with Wendy still," Stan interrupted, looking off at his steering wheel. "That's why she was so pissed when she saw us together that first day, but I'll be the first to admit that you probably caught most of the school's eye. Anyways, Kyle knew that I was still having issues with Wendy, and so there was no reason for him to not want to go after you- and there was no reason for me to help him out, but I really do like you, (Y/N)."

I was literally lost for words, but truth was that I didn't overly like Kyle. I had never given him a chance because of Pete. Essentially, Stan and Kyle were at the same level in my eye, but I was much closer with Stan. What was the harm in giving it a try?

"Yeah, maybe we could like go out or something, as long as you work things out with Kyle," I told him.

"Yeah, don't worry, I'll talk to him, and if you aren't over Pete, it's no rush. I just wanted to get my feelings out," Stan said with a shy smile.

I knew it didn't feel right. I definitely didn't have feelings for Stan, but it was worth a try. I couldn't think about Pete forever, and I knew that was exactly was I was going to do if I didn't at least try something.

*Pete's P.O.V.*

I felt like I was running around the school like an idiot now, but this had to be my fourth circle around the building- I couldn't find (Y/N) anywhere. She hadn't gone to a single one of our classes this morning, and lunch was already halfway over. I knew I had to head out back with the others soon before Michael noticed.

I made my way out there, keeping an eye out for (Y/N) on the way, but it was useless. She wasn't here. When I got out back, everyone looked to me, but no one said anything. I lit myself a cigarette as Firkle went through his poetry.

I wasn't really listening, though. I was just trying to stop my leg from bouncing too much as I stared off into the distance. It wasn't long before my cigarette was dead, and I had to get out another one.

"Pete, are you okay?" Henrietta asked.

"Huh?" I questioned looking to her, a little shocked.

"That's your second cigarette," she commented. "You usually only have one, and you're not even eating your lunch."

I could already feel Michael's eyes on me. I already knew what he was thinking, and I had to shut that down real quick.

"I'm fine," I sternly told her, making sure that they all heard.