Senior Slump Or Comeback Of The Year

Misunderstanding

Patrick clearly wasn't happy to see Pete. Which was expected considering their last chat. His parents awkwardly found excuses to leave. His mom claiming that she couldn't remember if she'd left the sink running. His father waiting a few seconds and then pretending he heard her calling for him.

It was cute. Like something out of a sitcom. Pete's parents never interacted like that. They were never in the same place at the same time. Sometimes he wondered if they even remembered what the other looked like. The only time they probably ever spent quality time together was when they were making him. He shuddered.

"Why are you here?" Patrick pulled him from his thoughts.

"Huh?" For a fraction of a second Pete forgot where he was.

"Why are you here, Pete?" He sat up on the bed. "Shouldn't you be at the dance with your girlfriend?"

"Patrick, I'm so sorry about that."

"If you came here to apologize again, you can leave."

"I didn't come here to apologize."

"Then why-"

"I came here to see if you were okay."

The suspicious look Patrick casted made Pete feel more guilty. Was he that bad of a guy that him checking on the father of his child was a surprise?

"I'm fine."

"I-Is the baby fine?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were both fine."

"For the last time, we are. Now would you please leave?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because maybe I'm not fine." He whispered.

"Wha- Pete, I do not understand what is going on right now."

"I'm all messed up." He pointed to his head. "I don't even understand what's going on right now. I tried to organize my thoughts on the way here but it didn't work. It just made me feel more confused. And my mom saying all that shit-"

"W-What did your mom say?" Patrick didn't even know why he'd asked.

It seemed like Pete really needed to get something off his chest. Though a part of him wanted to kick him out and tell him he had his own problems to deal with, he let him vent. Because Patrick knew what it felt like to have so much to say and no one to say it to.

"She was talking about how stupid it was to have a baby in high school. And how it's irresponsible. And how it ruins lives. And she just kept going on and on."

"She said that to you?" It was so different from the talk he and his mother had. "Pete, I'm sorry she laid into you like that."

"What?" The confusion in the word was authentic. "She wasn't talking about me."

"Was she talking about me?"

"No! She wasn't talking about either of us. I-I didn't tell her about you yet."

"Of course not." He'd bet his last dollar that Pete told his mother about his girlfriend though.

"Not that I'm hiding it. It's just not an easy thing to discuss. I still get confused every time I talk about it. And she's never home for more than a second!"

"Then why would your mother just randomly start bashing teen parents?"

"My cousin or something is pregnant. And she's going to go through a lot. And it made me realize that you're going to go through a lot too, Patrick. Way more than I will. It's not fair. When it gets out people are going to be so hard on you-"

"It's not going to get out-"

"What do you mean?" His words were rushed. Panicked. "Why do you say that?"

"Because that's the way I want things. I go through enough shit in that school daily. I don't need that added stress."

"Patrick, please! Please don't do that."

"Pete." He was starting to get annoyed. No, he was annoyed. "It's not your choice. It's mi-"

"I know. I know it's your choice. But- I- maybe you're not thinking this through. It's going to be hard but I'll be there for you every step of the way. And I don't know if you know this, but my parents are pretty financially successful."

"Is that supposed to impress me?"

"I just want you to understand that money wouldn't be an issue. And if you want me to be around more, I can do that too. Every day after school. I'll rub your feet and take care of you until you go to sleep."

"Slow down. I don't understand."

Pete's shoulders slumped defeatedly. "I just really need you to rethink your decision. I'm not trying to pressure you. But understand that you're not alone. It won't be simple. I just really need this. I didn't know how much I wanted you to have this baby until my stupid fucking mother talked about abortion. And now you-"

"Woah. Wait!" Patrick held up a hand to stop Pete from talking. "Is that what this visit is about? You think I'm going to get an abortion?"

"I, uh. You said you're not going to let it get out."

"Because I'm going to keep it a secret. I'm already fat. People won't notice. Maybe. Hopefully."

Pete exhaled harshly. He ran his fingers through his hair. Pulling on the ends slightly. He felt like an idiot.

"You're not fat."

"Whatever."

"I feel like an idiot."

"You are an idiot." Patrick confirmed easily. "You can go to the dance now."

"Could I maybe sit here for a couple of minutes?"

"Why?"

"I'm too exhausted to drive. Mentally I mean." When Patrick looked like he might still object Pete added. "You wouldn't want me to crash and die, would you?"

"No." He grudgingly muttered.

Pete grinned. "Cool."