the boy on manic street

Two

Pete's POV

The next morning I have a terrible ache in my left elbow. Guess that's what I get for sleeping on a couch in the middle of a grocery store.

All the lights are on, so I'm assuming Adam is back already. I don't know what time it is, and I quickly get up to awaken Patrick.

"Hey, c'mon we gotta go, Adam's already here," I shake his shoulders gently, half admiring how adorable Patrick is when he sleeps.

"What-?" He rolls over, falling off the couch and making me fall on my butt, Patrick on top of me. He's a chubby guy. I love it.

He curses while rolling over to stand up and adjust his shirt. Patrick, being the polite person he is, also offers his hand out to me so I can get up. I take it gratefully, trying to ignore the electricity I felt when they touched. "Thanks." I smile, hoping the heat in my face dies down.

"No problem!" Patrick smiles toothily, leaning down to retrieve his belongings.

I follow suit- shrugging my backpack onto my shoulders, "We should get out asap. Adam can get pretty mad when it comes to people breaking rules."

Patrick's eyes widen, "Let's go. Can you still check out my snacks?"

I nod, "Yeah, c'mon."

When we make it to the check-out aisles, Adam isn't anywhere in sight, yet. I quickly grab the keys I left on his desk and check-out Patrick's groceries. Then, just as I place the salsa into the last bag, Adam rounds the corner, his eyes furrowing when he sees us. I mumble to Patrick to leave, and approach my manager.

"Hey, um-" I start, but he quickly interrupts me.

"This is the third strike, Pete. I told you, the third strike and you're fired. I told you!" He says, clearly unhappy.

"Please let me expla-" I try again, but he just won't take it.

"I've heard enough of your excuses while you've worked here. You're fired, go find somewhere else to work," Adam shakes his head, walking away towards his office.

I sigh, rubbing my face. I've screwed up too many times to count. When I arrive outside, Patrick is leaning against a black Honda Accord, which I assume to be his car. He waves me over and a look of worry overtakes his cheerful expression, "What happened? Did you explain everything?"

"Tried to. Ended up getting fired," I shove my hands into my pockets.

Patrick groans and buries his face in his hands, "This is all my fault. I should've just left and waited until today to come back to the store. I'm so sorry, Pete."

I try to shake off the disappointment, not wanting to make Patrick feel bad about himself, "It's okay dude. I was planning on quitting anyways, it was a drag."

He shakes his head, "No, still, I'm the result of you getting fired. I feel terrible. Can I make it up to you?" Patrick looks up at me, that sinking look in his eyes once again. It makes my chest rip in half and want to fix all of his problems.

"Yes, definitely. You can start by going out to lunch with me," I smile, rubbing his shoulder.

He blushes, chuckling a bit, "Okay, sure. Where? I can meet you there, 'cause I think we both need to freshen up from last night." Patrick sniffs his armpit, waving his hand.

I grin, "How about 12:30 . . . the local diner?"

He shrugs and smiles, "Sure. I'll . . . meet you there." Patrick unlocks his car, getting into the drivers seat and driving away, not before waving to me and flashing the toothy grin that always makes me feel weird.

I wave back, walking to my car, which I parked under a tree behind the building because all the other spots were taken up. That's probably why Adam assumed I left last night, my car wasn't in it's usual spot.

Once I arrive home, I shower up. I examine myself in the mirror, wondering what to do to make myself look presentable. I end up applying a good layer of eyeliner and combing my fringe to the side.

As for outfits, I just choose my basic pair of black skinny jeans, a black hoodie, and Skillet t-shirt. Once I'm done getting dressed I grab my coat and hat on the way out, as it's snowing outside. The big fluffy flakes that stick to your clothes and basically make you a walking snowman.

I arrive at the diner around 12:25, getting Patrick and I a table in the corner. I play with my fingers while thinking about him. Why do I feel attracted towards him? I just met him, I can't rush things. And he just went through a relationship. I can't force anything onto him. He seems so depressed . . .

My eyes dart up to see Patrick enter the restaurant. He looks so cute- wearing a beanie with a huge thick sweater underneath his coat, and the same maroon scarf wrapped tight around his mouth and neck. I wave him over when he notices me, his face erupting into a smile.

"Hey," He smiles, pulling his scarf down and lying it onto the back of his chair with his coat.

"Hey," I smile back, shrugging my own coat off. We make small talk until a waitress approaches us. I try not to notice the look of interest she gives Patrick. Pete, chill.

He immediately orders a cup of tea, while I prefer a mug of hot chocolate. Patrick picks up the menu placed before him and scans it over.

"I think you look cute with your glasses," I say quietly, noticing how he didn't wear them. I pick up my own menu and try to decide what to order.

He smiles, peeking over his menu, "You think? I feel nerdy with them on . . "

"Then why were you wearing them at the store?" I question, deciding on a burger.

Patrick shrugs, setting his menu down, "Yesterday wasn't a good day for me. I didn't really care about how I looked."

The waitress, I think her name is Lacy, comes by again and hands us our drinks. I thank her, immediately savoring the warm hot chocolate. Patrick treats his tea before trying it, and I almost smile like an idiot when he holds his pinky up. We both order our lunches and Patrick ends up choosing a basket of chicken tenders.

"Why wasn't it a good day?" I press, not wanting to pressure him but at the same time intrigued beyond measure.

It takes him a while to respond, and I'm about to assure him he doesn't have to answer, but then he speaks up, "When I came out to my girlfriend about my being gay, that was a bad enough day as it was. I ended up not taking my depression medication, and it kicked in big time. I lazed around all day, mostly just lying in bed staring at the wall. Then I went to the grocery store . . . and I met you." Pink taints his cheeks.

I smile, feeling sorry for him, but at the same time confident. I look down at my hands,"I'm gay too." I say quietly, then look up for his reaction.

Patrick's face is even more pink now and he has a giddy smile on his face, "So you know what it's like?"

I nod, "Yeah. I've never had depression, though. Why were you buying all those snacks anyways?" I grin, trying to change the subject.

I can tell he wants to ask me more but he goes along with the subject change, "I just wanted to do something, I guess. I had been thinking about food all day."

I laugh, and the rest of the lunchtime we talk mostly about each other's interests. Turns out we have a lot more in common than I presumed we would.

-
hii. just thought i'd squeeze in a lil update or somethin'. anyways, i'm tired, so goodnight.