When I Text You, It Means I Miss You

Surprises

Patricks POV

I am utterly clueless as to where Pete is taking us. Don't get me wrong, I trust him....to an extent. I just don't have good experiences with surprises. 

FLASHBACK 

"Patrick, babe I'll be home slightly early tonight because I have a surprise for you. Bye I love you!" Mitch called out the door as he went off to work. I could feel my smile grow as I thought about what it could be. Mitch is so sweet and treats me so well. 

The time came around to when Mitch would usually return from work and I got slightly worried. He did say he would be home early tonight. But he might just be stuck in traffic or something. Hours and hours passed by and he still had not come home. I was really worried at this point. I had been texting and calling him and I was getting no response. Something did not feel right. 

I heard the door slam closed and someone stumble in. "Mitch?" I called out, hoping it was him. 

I could see him stagger into the kitchen and I could smell the alcohol on him from here. He looked up at me and frowned, "Why are you here?" I didn't really understand what he meant. 

"Umm..I live here? With you." He scoffed at that, "I know. I just wish you didn't" 

"W-what are you talking about?"

"I don't want you here," he slurred out. I felt the tears fill  my eyes. 

"W-what are you talking about? You love me." 

He laughed at that, "Me? Love you? Please." 

I had never heard anything like this from him before. "Honey, you're drunk. You don't mean any of this." 

"What are you calling me a liar?" He came really close to me. I  backed into a wall and I couldn't  seem to escape. 

"Mitch, you're scaring me. Why are you doing this?" That's when he slapped me. 

"DON'T TALK TO ME! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR VOICE!" I immediately shut up and tried not to whimper from the pain of the slap. Tears were streaming down my face and I could feel my heart beating in my throat. 

"I am sick of your stupid voice and your stupid singing. It drives me insane. And god don't get me started on how you look. Ugh sometimes I can't stand looking at you." 

I couldn't take what he was saying to me. I had to get away. I tried to push him away and he shoved me back into the wall. I could already feel a bump forming on the back of my head. 

"YOU STAY HERE AND LISTEN TO ME WHEN IM TALKING TO YOU." He smacked me again and it stung worse that time. The tears running down my face were not helping to soothe the red mark I knew was on my face. He smiled as he looked at the pain I was in and started to walk away. He stopped before he left the room and looked at me before saying, "I was doing anything but lying." 

I thought the slaps would be the worst pain I felt. 

END FLASHBACK 

That was the first time he hit me but it wasn't the last. I didn't even realize I was crying till I felt the tears hit my pants. 

"Hey Patrick so I got the pizz-"Pete immediately stops what he's saying and runs around to the passenger side of the car but I can barely focus on him. I'm crying so hard I can hardly see and all that keeps replaying in my head is that memory. 

I feel a hand touch my shoulder and I freak out, "DONT TOUCH ME MITCH!" My hands fly up to my mouth and my eyes go wide. I snap my head to Pete and he has his hands up and has taken a step back. 

"P-pe-ete I-Im s-s-soo s-s-o-o-r-ry." I'm crying so much I can barely speak. 

"Patrick, patrick hey hey hey. Deep breaths. I want you to take some deep breaths for me okay? In and out. In and out." 

I follow Pete's instructions and my crying has dwindled down to just some sniffles. 

"Are you doing okay?" He looks at me and slightly shakes his head, "Sorry that was a dumb question. You're not but that's okay. Do you wanna talk about it?" 

I take one more deep breath, "I umm.. had a flashback about...him." 

"Oh, Patrick I'm so sorry." There's a pause and I don't really know what to say. 

"Do-do you know what um triggered it?" I shake my head yes, "It umm has to do with...surprises." 

His eyes grow wide, "Oh fuck Patrick I'm so sorry. I-I didn't know and if I did I never would have suggested this." 

"Pete, pete it's okay. It's not your fault. You had no idea." It's silent again until Pete speaks up again. 

"Do you want me to take you home? If you do I understand." I glance over at Pete and he looks so defeated. He really wanted us to have a nice time and I had to ruin it. 

"No, I want us to go on this date. I just have a hard time with surprises." 

"If I tell you what the surprise is, will it make you feel better?" I nod my head with a shy smile on my face. 

"Well, I picked up this pizza from the best place in Chicago and I have some blankets in my car. So we are going to go to this hill that overlooks all of Chicago and is beautiful especially at night." 

I can't stop the grin that fills my face, "Pete that sounds like the most amazing date ever." 

He grins with me, "Yeah, you think so?" 

"Of course. I think I might be starting to like surprises."