Folie

Act II, Scene 9

"Holy shit," Patrick gasped as he took in the scene before him.

In a flash, Brendon and Pete pulled away from each other, shock and horror coloring their faces.

"I think I should go now, sorry," Brendon said, and with that, he jumped from his seat and fled to the front door and out the apartment.

"Shit!" Pete exclaimed, then turned to Patrick, "I'm sorry."

"Sorry? You make out with the guy that just spent that night screaming at your best friend for no reason? And you didn't even bother to check on me!"

"I thought you'd want to be alone! And I did check on you a few minutes ago, and you weren't answering your door."

"Okay, I mean, I did want to be alone, and I was in the bathroom when you came to check on me, but still, you reward him for the way he treated me?"

"I'm sorry, Patrick, he just kissed me out of nowhere, and I wasn't expecting it, and-"

"You know what," Patrick interrupted, "I'm too tired to be mad about this right now. Just... good night, Pete, I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night, 'Trick," Pete muttered sadly.

---

A few days passed, and Patrick sat talking with Pete after the last rehearsal of the week. He had already let go of his feelings about the kiss between Pete and Brendon, but mostly because he already felt emotionally spent from the semester, and couldn't handle holding a grudge. Tensions had also cooled between Brendon and him, and they had plans to talk after rehearsal about the fight. Patrick also needed to talk to Dallon and Joe, but he decided to let them initiate the next conversation.

Pete was also dealing with troubled thoughts. Not only did he still need to work out his situation with Patrick, but he also now had to figure out the kiss with Brendon. Mostly, he needed to figure out how to Brendon that even though he kissed him back, he didn't really feel any attraction. How could he explain that though when he still couldn't figure anything about his sexuality?

Conflicted and needing a moment alone, Pete excused himself so he could go home. After he left, Patrick saw Joe packing his belongings, and felt a change of heart. He wanted to talk to Joe now.

"Hey Joe," Patrick greeted the curly-haired boy, "can we talk?"

"Hey Patrick," Joe replied with a weak grin, "sure. What's up?"

"Well, I just wanted to see if you were alright. We haven't talked in awhile, ever since the night we were supposed to hang out."

Joe paused, debating whether or not he should tell Patrick everything he felt. He rehearsed a speech ever since he cancelled their plans, but now he felt tongue-tied.

No, he owed Patrick an explanation. He didn't want to make the same mistakes his other friends had.

"Well, here's the thing," he started nervously, "I don't know if you figured this out yet, but I kinda', sorta'... like you."

Patrick's heart leaped.

"You do?"

"Yeah. I wanted to go on a date with you, but of course, just when I worked up the nerve, the whole Dallon thing happened, and I just figured it wasn't the time. Also, I chickened out," he joked.

"Well, I mean, the Dallon thing was a mistake. That'll never go any further. And you know, I have to admit, I do like you too," he admitted, a goofy smirk filling his blushing cheeks.