James and I easily sneak off the school campus. It's kind of ridiculous how easy it is. I mean I know the upperclassmen have open campus lunch but, come on a tiny five foot girl and a tall scrawny boy giggling as we run out of the school. That's got to raise a little suspicion.
We decided to walk into town and just see where the day takes us. We turn down a street and see a semi busy park. We sit on the swings and watch the kids play. I mean in a non-creepy way. We aren't pedofiles. We just don't have any money on us so this is all we can really do. I tell James I have to be back in time to catch the bus so that gives us about an hour before we have to head back.
We sway on our swings and make conversation. It turns out he's a big brother to his twin sisters who just turned 9. Macie and Maggie, I think their names were. He tells me he loves computers and chemistry. He also used to play football in Australia. I was confused at first until he told me that he was talking about soccer. I laughed and then we moved on to talk about how weird it is that different countries call things different stuff. He tells me how different America it to Australia. And I tell him how weird America is in general. All is good until I see someone I know.
"Oh crap. I have to go." I leap off my swing and head to the play structure off to the side.
"What? Why? Where are you going?" James follows after me and we crouch behind a yellow slide. In front of me I can see a bench in full view. On it is a certain dark haired man with his angel of a husband. They're holding hands and leaning into each other. They aren't saying anything, not moving. It's looks kind of like they're asleep.
"What?" James asks again.
I point at the bench. "Those guys. They know me." James nods. He starts to circle around the slide but I grab his arm. "What the eff do you think you're doing?"
He smirks. "Don't worry Lucy, I'll just distract them and you can sneak away." I shake my head as fast as I can. No way that was way too risky. I'll just wait it out till they leave.
"No, they'll leave in a minute."
But they didn't. Nope, instead they pointed right over to where James and I were hidden. Well, I mean it was more behind us at something much more interesting. But still, I mean, come on I was freaked out. I peak my head out over the top of the slide. They're a couple feet away. We could probably just run and they wouldn't be able to tell who it is.
"Go," I whisper to James. He obeys pushes himself out of the crouched position and turns around briefly to see me do the same. But then, because this is my life, at the exact moment someone says my name. And it's not James.
"Lucy? What are you doing out of school, it's like two-thirty?"
James and I lock eyes. He gives me a sympathetic look and I try to make us both turn invisible at that very moment. Go. I mouth. James nods and quickly jogs away from the awkward situation. I wish I could just go with him. I have to face this though. I know it'll come back to me tonight when they tell Mrs. Newbury. Slowly, I pivot on my heel to face the men behind me.
"Hi," I say sheepishly. God, this is so embarrassing.
"Hello, Lucy." Pete gives me a disapproving look.
"Why aren't you in school?" Patrick is a bit more sympathetic.
"Because, uh, I'm-" I look at my shoes and rock nervously from toe to heel. "Look," I glance at the faces above me. Patrick looks kind of sad, like he's disappointed. That's weird it's not like I ever made him want me to succeed. Pete is a stone. No emotions, like he's waiting for me to explain myself. He kind of looks like a pissed dad who caught their kid sneaking out. I suck in a breath and continue. "I had a bad day, ok. Give me a break. I'll walk back to school and we can forget about this." I give them a pleading look.
Patrick sighs. "How about we walk back with you?"
"Then you can tell us about your bad day. Sound good?" Pete holds out a hand. I take it, thinking this may be the safest bet.
"Fine, as long as you don't tell the home." I give them a look and make them promise. Then the horrific fifteen minute walk back to school begins.
===
After about five minutes Pete speaks up. "So, what did you mean by 'bad day'?" He looks at me from his side of the sidewalk. Patrick turns around for a second to look at me.
"Just some shit- I mean stuff." Pete smirks and Patrick gives us both a look.
"Like what?" Patrick keeps the conversation going as he falls back and we attempt to all walk side by side. This of course leads to Pete in the street, occasionally dodging cars. Eventually he just walks backwards in front of us.
"Well," I start to tell them about my whole 'Art Show' situation but then start to think better of it. "Y'know it doesn't really matter." I shrug, I really don't need their pity today.
"What?" Pete gives me a look. Either he really cares or he can't stand not knowing something. I'm guessing it's the second one.
"It's not a big deal. Don't worry about it. I'm sure there are much bigger things to worry about rather than some random orphan who you met less than a week ago." Pete and Patrick share a look. Dammit Lucy, always have to make people uncomfortable.
"We care about you, Lucy. Just tell us what's bothering you." Patrick gives me 'c'mon just do it'/'pretty please, for me' look. It's extremely hard to say no to. "Maybe we can help."
I sigh,"Fine. Just remember you asked for this." They chuckle a little and a tiny ghost of a smile pushes against my lips. I tell them my story and they nod and stay quiet the whole time. At the end they both think for a moment. Then they share the same look again.
"What if we drove you to your show?" Pete looks at me and I'm sure this is a joke.
"Really?" They nod. "This is awesome!" I whoop and skip a few steps past Pete. I can hear them laughing but I don't care. I stay in front of them the rest of the walk. Occasionally turning around to talk to them. I'm extra nice now, not only because they're my ride, but also because I'm starting to like them.
===
When I get home that day Pete and Patrick are already there. I find them in the dining room, talking to Jenny. Pete winks at me when I pass them and I grin. I head upstairs and find my drawing hidden away under my bed. Allie has soccer practice on Fridays so she's not here but I don't let it bother me. I might actually be able to do something with my art.
I head back to the dining room after about a half hour, thinking they're probably done discussing me. I hear voices from the top of the stairs and pause.
"...still want to do it."
"Yeah, I know. We need to talk to Jenny and the guys a little more though."
It's Pete and Patrick.
"I know. Maybe by next week we can ask her if she even wants to come with us."
I can't tell what they're talking about, but it sounds important. I leave the stairs until they're done talking. I hear them leave and tell me they'll be back soon. I shout back an 'ok' and hear the door shut. I can't help but wonder what they were talking about. They want some girl to go with them somewhere. I think Jenny at first but they said that they needed Jenny to agree before they even asked her. Weird.
Foreshadowing...
I actually really like the way Pete and Patrick are in this story. Very cute, my beans. I have a vague plot worked out and I can't wait till the good stuff starts happening. Art show is next part. See you then.
YOU ARE READING
I Promise || Adopted by Peterick
Fanfiction*Completed Lucy Ann Crowley was left on the highway at age seven. Her mother said she'd be right back. She said she promises. After daddy left mama promised she'd never leave. But one day she did. Eight years later she's fifteen and still without pa...
