When I Text You, It Means I Miss You

A Promise Is Made

Pete's POV

I couldn't stop pacing around my apartment.

After my phone call with Patrick, I started and now I can't stop.

He still isn't here yet and I'm freaking out.

What did he want to show me?

What happened to him?

Is he okay?

Well of course not. He called you and was crying about something. And now he's coming over here. At 2 AM. And my apartment is kinda a mess.

But more importantly,

Patrick freaking Stump is coming over here.

You finally get to meet Patrick in person.

And you're a mess.

Because it's 2 AM and you couldn't sleep so there are big, dark circles under your eyes and you're in your pjs which happen to be a Green Day shirt and boxers.

Pants sound like a good a idea. And maybe a little tidying up.

I quickly throw on the first pair of jeans I can find, run a brush through my hair, splash some water on my face, and start throwing random shit in the closet.

And even after all of that, Patrick still isn't here.

The pacing starts up again.

It is really late and we both live in Chicago, which is a dangerous place.

I should have offered to pick him up or something. For all I know he could be lying in an alley bleeding out or something.

Oh god what if he's hurt somewhere now?

I pull out my phone all set to frantically text him when I receive

Hey I'm almost there I think

I breathe a sigh of relief. Thank god he's not lying dead in a ditch somewhere.

I'm meeting Patrick.

He's gonna be right in front of me.

I can't help but smile at that thought. He's gonna be here.

I've been waiting to meet him ever since that first text.

Been wanting to hug him and see him smile and kiss him.

I blush at that last thought.

But I'm suddenly interrupted from my thoughts by a knock at the door.

He's here.

I open the door and I am met with a soaking wet and shivering Patrick. My eyes go wide not focusing on how he's probably freezing or that he's actually standing right in front of me.

I am focused on the giant, bruised, and fresh black eye he has.

"H-h-hey, S-s-so-oorry I-i-i t-t-to-oo-kk s-sss-ooo l-l-loo-nng. I-i-i-i w-w-wa-ll-ked."

His teeth are chattering so much he can barely talk.

"Patrick....I....come in. Go sit on the couch.I'm gonna get you warm clothes and towels."

He quickly comes in while I go grab a sweater, sweatpants, clean underwear, and a towel.

"Here, you can go change in the bathroom. It's the 2nd room on the right."

He smiles and replies, "Thanks Pete." and heads toward the bathroom.

I decide to make him some tea to warm him up. I'm trying not to focus on the black eye but I can't.

Who the fuck would want to hurt Patrick?

He is the sweetest, kindest, smartest, talented, innocent, sensitive and most wonderful person there is.

Hurting him is like hurting a puppy. I can feel the rage start to boil up inside.

Why would someone hurt Patrick?

I smash the mug I'm holding on the floor.

Whoever did it they are going to pay.

"Pete, is everything okay? I heard a crash."

Patrick comes running into the kitchen. I turn around and plaster a smile on my face.

"Yeah, I'm fine...just dropped a mug on the ground by accident."

The kettle goes off and I pour it then hand the steaming mug to Patrick.

"I thought some tea might warm you up." He takes the mug and smiles.

"How did you know I loved tea?" I can't help but chuckle at him.

"I didn't but now I do." We both walk out to the kitchen and sit on the couch.

There is an awkward silence as Patrick just keeps sipping his tea.

"Patrick, what happened?"

"You have a nice place. I like it. It's not as messy as I expected though. Did you tidy up just for me?"

I sigh. He always tries to change the subject. "As much as I just wanna sit here and talk with you in person, you need to tell me what happened."

I can see his face change and he takes a deep breath before talking.

"He wasn't always like this. The man I fell in love with was gentle and sweet and kind. He used to buy me bouquets of flowers for no reason other than the fact that they would make me smile."

He pauses and I can see the tears begin to start.

"But then the drinking started. At first it was just yelling and saying horrible things. But then it escalated...t-too hitting. and then kicking and punching and shoving. Tonight wasn't the worst night but I just... I can't go back there. Not tonight....Maybe not ever."

I just sit there in shock. I don't know what to say.

"Patrick...I......" but I don't finish before he lunges toward me and buries his sobbing face into my chest.

"I can't go back! I don't want to be hit again tonight! Please Pete." I wrap my arms around him and run my hand up and down his back.

"it's okay, Patrick. You don't have to go back there. You can stay here tonight. I won't ever let that happen to you again. I promise."

And I intend to keep that promise.