Clandestine (Pete Wentz / Fall Out Boy Fanfic)

Chapter 7 - Stop Trying to Run Away

Pete Wentz

The second I walked into the recording studio that morning, I knew I was in trouble. First of all, I had slept an hour later than I should have, and I only woke up because Ariel woke up and accidentally kicked me trying to get off of the couch. We had fallen asleep there during the movie last night, and somehow, her feet had ended up in my lap. Second, Patrick was already giving me one of his "I-know-something-is-going-on-and-I-will-find-out-what" looks. He hadn't been very convinced when I told him I was watching a movie with a friend last night, because let's face it, I rarely ever invite anyone over to watch a movie with me that late at night unless it's him. Maybe he was jealous.

"Hey guys," I yawned, walking into the recording booth where Andy and Patrick were sitting. Joe was on the other side of the glass, tuning his guitar. "I brought Starbucks." I set down a tray full of coffee on an end table by the couch, and slumped down beside Patrick, who was still staring at me curiously.

"You look tired," he mused, and now Andy was looking at me too. "And you're late."

"I know," I sighed, "I didn't mean to sleep in so late. I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine," Patrick shrugged, "You just look worn out." I didn't say anything to that as I focused on Joe in the sound booth. He was playing now, and Andy was wearing headphones to hear him. "How was the movie last night?" Patrick asked suddenly.

"It was good," I answered, unsure of how to avoid this now.

Patrick nodded, finally looking away. He was too curious for his own good sometimes. We both watched Joe finish his part of whatever song we were recording today, and then Andy went in to lay down some drums, and then Patrick played his guitar part, and finally, it was my turn. I had figured out by this point that I was playing Carpal Tunnel of Love, which meant that after Patrick sang, I would be in here again screaming. I wasn't really awake enough for that today, but it'd have to be done. I played through the bass line easily enough in just two takes, and then I traded places with Patrick once more. He went in to start singing, and Joe gave me an odd smile as I retook my place on the couch.

"So," Joe chided, "I hear you've got a girlfriend."

My eyes widened, but I tried not to look too alarmed. "What?"

"Patrick said you've been hanging around with this girl you met...he said she plays guitar really well."

"Oh, her?" I said, looking down at my hands to avoid looking Joe in the eyes. "Nah, I haven't seen her in a while. Last time I saw her was with Patrick, about a week ago."

"Oh," Joe said, leaning against the soundboard with the same look that Patrick had given me. "Patrick said she came over your place last night...we thought maybe that's why you were late, you know...."He left off at that, and I looked up to see a suggestive smirk on his face.

"Shut up," I snapped, a little more perturbed than I should have been by his suggestion. "I told you, I haven't seen her."

"Alright," Joe said, holding his hands up as if in defense, "I was just messing with you, Pete."

I leaned back against the couch again as Joe turned his attention back to Patrick. This whole secret thing was going to be a pain in my ass with these three, but I had promised Ariel and I wasn't about to break that promise. I decided to just keep to myself for the rest of the day, which consisted of three hours of Patrick doing one take after another until he was satisfied with his singing. By the time he was done, we decided that we could all use a break, and we could just finish the song tomorrow. I was all for it, since I really didn't feel like screaming today, and I quickly said goodbye to all of them. I was the first one out in my car, in far too much of a hurry to get back home.