What About Us

Seventeen

I stared at the hospital ground.  Joe, Andy, Brendon, and I all gave Pete a moment with his mom.  We decided to wait outside.  Pete stepped out with puffy red eyes.  I stood up. 

"She wants to meet you" he said "Officially" I nodded, but I hugged him first.  He shoved his head in my neck.  "Thank you" He whimpered.  I led him inside by his hand.

"Patrick" she smiled at me "You look exactly like Pete described"

"Is that good?" I asked.  They both laughed.

"I think so" she said "I've wanted to meet you for a very long time"

"The feeling is mutual" I said gently. We sat down next to her. Pete was shaky. She probably said something he didn't want to hear.

"I'm glad he has you" she whispered "I'm even more glad he has that principal of yours. He spends a lot of time there"

"Yes" I said quietly. Pete grabbed my hand. I laced our fingers together.

"I'm leaving his father. I should've left a long time ago. And Pete and I are going to go to some major therapy together" she said gently "For now, he's staying at Gerards, I had Pete call him. And Gerard wants you to stay there too"

"I haven't been home in at least a week" I said to Pete.

"Good" he grumbled "You don't need to be around that shit"

"I keep telling him my life doesn't compare to his. He's got it much worse" I said.

"Your parents fight all the time. Sometimes a punch in the eye is easier to have than that. Pete says all they do is blame everything on you" she said "And they've called you useless more than once. Just because your family is rich doesn't make it okay. And it doesn't mean you don't have it rough. Same with your friend Andy. His dad drills it into his head that he has to be perfect at wrestling. And if he's not, he's not good enough. Joe's family ignores him. As if he doesn't exist. And if Brendon doesn't have straight A's he might as well live on the streets. Everyones got hardships. Some more than others, but that doesn't mean they're not hardships"

"You told her a lot about us huh?" I asked Pete.

"Yeah" he said. She tilted her head and smiled.

"You're strong Patrick. I don't think you hear that enough. You take care of Pete, you take care of Brendon when you can, and you have to take care of yourself. You deserve more credit than you're given"

"Thank you" I said gently.

"You're welcome" she smiled "Okay, I'm getting some sleep"

"Okay" Pete said gently.
——
"Take the damn couch" Pete snapped at me.

"Pete, no, you take the damn couch.  I'm fine sleeping on the floor" I snapped back.  He tossed his pillow down and laid on the floor.  So, I did the same thing. 

"Dammit Patrick!" he yelled standing in anger.  He stormed into Gerards kitchen.  I sat up slowly.  "Fucking stubborn as hell" he grumbled pulling out a bottle of water.  He sat at the kitchen table. 

"What're you doing?" I asked.

"Trying to get away from you before I say something I'll regret!" he yelled. 

"Fine!" I yelled back.  I pulled my blanket over myself and stared at his pillow on the floor. "Dick" I grumbled. 

"Asshole" he snapped.  I sat up glaring at him. 

"Bitch" I snapped back.  He stood up, and so did I.  We walked over to each other meeting halfway.  "Pussy"

"Jackass" he snapped.  Dammit, I wanted to slap him. 

"Fuck you" I said finally.  He glared at me some more.  Face to face.  He looked like he wanted to punch me across the face.  And what happened next? I kissed him.  A quick, peck.  He stared at me in shock.  He pressed his fingers to his lips.  I smiled at him, and leant in again.  He let me kiss him, hell he even kissed back.  We stood there in our principals kitchen making out.  He ran his tongue over my bottom lip, then pulled away.  I smiled a little bit.  He hugged my waist tightly pulling me against him. 

"I have never felt so much passion with someone" he said gently "Why didn't you come into my life sooner?"

"I was hiding" I said "I like to keep people waiting" I grabbed his hand "Do we both try to fit on the couch, or do we both sleep together on the floor"

"It would make me very happy, if you slept on the couch" he said "Please"

"Why do you want me on that couch so bad?" I asked frowning.

"Because, that's the comfy one.  That's the warm, safe spot.  And I just want you to be warm and safe okay?  Just for one night" He said "Please"

"Okay" I whispered "Fine" He smiled at me.  I led him to the living room.  I laid down on the couch, and Pete tucked me in.  Yes, tucked me in.  My ass is like a five year old.  He laid down right next to me on the floor.  I stared at him as he snuggled under his blanket.  "Hi" I said.

"Hi" he chuckled.  I yawned pulling my blanket over my mouth.  I blinked sleepily.   "You're cute"

"You're the cutest" I said closing my eyes.  He ran the back of his hand across my cheek.  "I love you"

"I love you too"