Where Did The Party Go?

Two

Patrick didn't see himself being in the position of a bartender. He hoped to be a rising star, a musician, and he did have the opportunity. But that was until he met Andy Hurley, the love of his life. If he want back in time to tell his 17-year old self how he was now, he was sure to expect stunned stares and scoffs of disbelief.

He never regretted his decision, Andy and him were in love, and seeing the true colors of each other sprouted a happiness neither could explain. They eventually got married and lived in a nice apartment. To help make ends meet, Patrick got two jobs, as well as Andy. Patrick always loved being in libraries, and being a bartender offered fair amount of money. Patrick would do it all over again if he had to, he was happy with where he was in life.

Anyone could see how deeply in love Patrick and Andy were, they were always smiley and stared at each other with a love that anyone could feel. It was contagious, and even their families could see that. Patrick still remembered when Andy proposed, it was less in the cliche side, but still fairly romantic. It consisted of Andy pushing Patrick to go on the Ferris wheel at a carnival and once they reached the top, Andy popped out the ring and the question. Being the huge softy he was, Patrick cried and barely could get an answer out. The look on Andy's face when he said yes was one he would always remember. Quickly, they got married and moved in together.

Working in the bar was a bit out of Patrick's comfort zone since he didn't drink much himself but over time he got used to the smell of alcohol and was pretty good at what he did. It was worth it for making a living for him and his husband. Things got better a long the way. The first day he saw Pete stop by the bar, was the day he realized this job may not be so bad. He was so happy to see his friend living in the area again, life was going good.

And despite not exactly liking what his best friend did almost ever night, he did his best to help and usually asked and talked to customers to help Pete. They've been friends since freshman year of highschool but after graduating, Pete left to peruse in music, much like Patrick did but Patrick was too scared to leave so far to find music opportunities. So he stayed put, while Pete was in other places. Until then he decided to move back after not being so successful. Patrick being so busy, it's rare for them to fully hang out and just talk. But Patrick didn't mind, as long as he saw Pete almost every night, and later coming home to see his amazing husband, it was all going great for him.

He thought life would be nothing but sweet things ahead, and had high hopes. Until one night he ended up next to a hospital that carried Andy in it.

Andy was heading to work, rushing out since he was almost late. He passed about 3 red lights on his way and wasn't paying attention when a truck was heading his way passing the 4th red light. He didn't die on impact, he died later in the hospital. And from there on out, Patrick began losing his color. Patrick doesn't think he'll ever cry as much as he did that night.

When a person dies, color drains almost immediately but the lover remains draining from color day after day, slowly. Patrick remembers when he lost the redness of Andy's hair, and colors of his tattoos, and the color of his wonderful eyes. Patrick had trouble accepting his loss, he remembers almost getting arrested when he tried to fight off security guards when he refused to leave Andy's hospital room.

It didn't feel real, and for the first time in a long time, he just felt numb. He went through the daily loop, feeling lost, scared, and dull. No one said anything, they all saw the color leaving his cheeks. Although the silence was what he preferred, it was killing him. He thought it was a cruel joke how he felt like he was dying emotionally from the pain, and losing color like someone does when they die. His death was simply in slow motion.

Ayyye backstory, and no Patrick isn't dying, the last line was for dramatic purposes.