Canvas (Peterick)

Ten

December 2009
Pete Wentz

I painted with close precision. Thin lines formed the blond hair that couldn't be mistaken. I mixed the right shades of blue and green together to create his unique eyes that never fail to pull me in. The right pinks made his dangerous lips. I painted without any reference but his image embedded in my mind. Andy would occasionally pass by and gasp up at the painting in awe. It didn't bother me, and I sure hoped my presence didn't bother him. I'd asked to paint in his apartment because I couldn't stand to be in mine right then. The memories of Patrick and I lingered in each room, haunting me. I needed a break.

"I just have one question," Andy announced with his hands perched on his hips. "Why is it so big?"

a/n: HE'S NOT PAINTING HIM NAKED S/O TO SOPHIA WHO THINKS DIRTY

I cracked a smile and stepped down from the stepping stool. "Uh..." I shrugged, glancing back at the canvas. "Because he's one of the most important things in my life." I made it sound like I didn't actually mean it and that there was no reason for it to be so big. But in reality, what I said was 100% true. He was a significant part of my life, so he deserved to be painted big.

"Well that's sweet, Pete." He patted my shoulder. "Brendon is coming over soon, so you might want to clean up for now."

I peeled my paint-stained shirt over my head and threw it onto the stool. I picked up my various brushes and brought them to the kitchen to wash out the acrylic paint.

Andy's apartment was big, especially for a single man like himself. But he also had cash. Since the breakup, Joe and him had played in a couple different bands. They raked in most of their money from previous Fall Out Boy fans who basically went to their shows just to watch Joe and Andy. The space in the apartment allowed me to paint as big as I wanted, and that was why I chose it.

There was a quick knock on the door with a familiar melody, and Andy let Brendon in. A couple thin strands of his dark chocolate hair hung over his forehead. He pulled off his beanie and stuffed it into his back pocket, flattening the strands back against the top of his head. But they fell back perfectly once he removed his hand. "Hey, Peter," he cheered as soon as he saw me. He jerked his hand toward me. "Long time no see!"

I shook his hand weakly, and he gave me a strange look. I wanted to tell him what had been going on lately. I wanted to tell Joe and Andy too. They still didn't know why I did that thing last week. But I was planning to sit down with them soon.

"Are you okay, bro?" Brendon asked, sounding concerned.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll... talk to you later."

He nodded and turned to Andy. "Got a girl yet?" He blurted. I cracked a smile.

Andy sighed and shook his head with a grin. "No, Bren, I do not 'got a girl' yet."

"C'mon!" Brendon slithered his arm around Andy's neck and pulled his head into his chest. "You're single, you're sexy, you're straightedge; girls dig that!"

"Okay, knock it off Bren." Andy freed himself and gently pushed Brendon away.

Brendon crossed his arms and tapped his foot. "Hmm..." he began, "something smells fishy here—"

"I'm just not ready yet." Andy plopped himself down on the sofa. I pulled at some drinks from the fridge and tossed one to Brendon, then sat next to Andy as Brendon stood facing us.

"Or...!" Brendon lifted a finger, then tilted it in Andy's direction. "You're fuckin' gay, dude."

Andy looked up innocently at Brendon, silent.