Christmas - Prequel to Mistletoe

August 26, 2013

Patrick

"So you're not even going to show me any pictures before you force me to go on dates with a bunch of people I don't know?"

Ryan, who was casually laying on the couch, remarked, "I wouldn't say we're forcing you-" I stopped him there, remarking shortly, "You and Brendon are both forcing me to go on dates with your single guy friends because Brendon will lose fifty bucks to you if he doesn't get me a boyfriend by the end of the year. Which is in, might I remind you, less than four months."

Brendon smiled sheepishly as Ryan answered, "Okay, well, when you put it that way..." I looked at both of them in a 'yeah, obviously' kind of way. Brendon sat up and smiled reassuringly at me, as I glared back at him.

"Don't worry, ol' Patty boy," I sent him an icy glare as he coughed and went on, "I'll just describe this guy to you. You know, the one you're gonna see later today. The one you're gonna go on a date with?" I rolled my eyes at him. "Yes, Brendon. I know. That guy."

"Yes. That guy. Anyway, his name's Gerard, he's nice, he's got great hair, and there's just one...super really tiny catch," I raised my eyebrows as he continued, "He broke up with his old boyfriend, Frank, like a week ago."

"So you're setting me up on a date with someone who's probably only going to be missing their ex." Ryan snorted at that as Brendon answered, "Well...yeah. Pretty much," I rolled my eyes. "but hey, just give it a chance! You'll never know unless you try it out!"

"Funny, is that what you said about the milk incident?" Ryan's eyes widened and he gasped, offended. "That's not what we're all talking about here! That is incredibly offensive. We all agreed never to speak of that." I held my hands up in surrender as I answered, "You deserved it!"

"Maybe. But that was completely uncalled for-" Brendon interrupted Ryan, jumping up and yanking me up with him. "Dude, you have to go, like, now! I don't care if you don't want to. You're gonna be late and I don't wanna hear you bitching about how it didn't work out because you were an hour late."

"I'm not gonna be an hour late. Besides, I still have twenty minutes." Brendon scoffed. "Yeah, twenty minutes to get to the restaurant! Go, bitch!"

Ryan took my arms, and shoved me to the door as I just barely grabbed my denim jacket. I reached for my fedora as well, and Ryan swatted my hand away. "No fedoras, Patrick." I raised my eyebrow at him as I answered, "Oh, I'm sorry, didn't you say I could wear what I wanted?" He narrowed his eyes as he grabbed the fedora, jamming it onto my head as I adjusted it, mumbling a small "Ouch".

Brendon threw my car keys at me as I was shoved out the door by Ryan, and I just barely yelled out "Thanks!" when the door had shut.

Well. That was rude. Then again, rude is Ryan's middle name. George Rude Ross iii. I don't know. It has a nice ring to it. But as I pulled on my jacket and made my way to the car, that was the last thing on my mind.

After what Brendon had told me, anyway, I was expecting a night of disappointment, but mostly I was expecting a night of embarrassment.

Oh well.

-At the restaurant-

I sat there, fiddling with my hands as I anxiously looked around the restaurant. I almost expected him not to show up, and I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't.

However, I was surprised, because I was snapped out of my thoughts by someone sitting down in the chair next to me. I looked at them, and was greeted by a guy my age, with hazel eyes and a shock of bright red hair that fell slightly in front of his eyes as he pushed it back.

"Patrick?" He asked, giving me a smile as I nodded, asking, "G-Gerard?" I looked down immediately, cursing my stutter as I could see him nod as well, out of the corner of my eye. I quickly recovered, looking up, and I could see that he was distracted.

He was checking his phone, and I could see him sigh as he put it away, looking back up and sending me a small smile. I gave him one as well, asking hesitantly, "Is-Is everything okay?" He nodded, looking down and grabbing the menu, and I shrugged it off as I did the same.

I was going through the options as I asked, "So...any idea w-what's good here?" I mentally cursed my stutter once again as he distractedly responded, "Um...I'm not sure."

I could see him check his phone again, and I sighed, looking down. "You miss him, d-don't you?" He looked up, and he quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, I'm just...yeah. I miss him." I looked up at him and made eye contact as I answered, "You should go to him. Don't you think he misses you t-too?"

He nervously bit his lip, and asked, "Are you sure?" I looked down, sighing as I answered, "It's okay. To be honest, I didn't r-really expect this whole dating thing to work." He gave me a look of sympathy, as he got up, and to my surprise, gave me a short hug. "Thank you. For what you said. I'll go to him." I smiled slightly as he pulled away. "No p-problem. Good luck." "I hope we can be friends?" I nodded. "I'd like that."

"I hope you find someone. You know, someone who's right for you." "Thanks, Gerard." He smiled, apologetically as he turned, leaving the restaurant with a small wave. Well, as expected. Didn't work out.

To be honest, I didn't want to go on any more after this, because even though I helped Gerard, I was left with the feeling of disappointment. The feeling of loneliness. I would give it another shot, but now, I was less motivated. I didn't really think it would work out.

I wasn't quite so enthusiastic now. I mean, Gerard was nice enough, but I wasn't the one he needed. Hopefully, the rest of Brendon and Ryan's friends were nice.

I didn't really know, though.