Senior Slump Or Comeback Of The Year

A Trip To The Mall

Pete watched in almost appereciative fascination as Patrick swallowed down his second strawberry/banana slushie. That made his food total two slushies, one lemonade, one slice of pineapple pizza, two kababs and half of Pete's philly cheesestake sandwich. And that was only since they came walked into the mall an hour and a half ago.

He watched his movements intently as patrick made his way to a trashcan to dispose of the empty cup. There was a slight woddle to his walk now that he was dealing with a heavier stomach to balance out. It wasn't always so obvious to spot. But Patrick was walking a lot today so he was allowed to be a little tired. His left hand reached behind to hold onto his lower back. Pete almost laughed at how cliche it looked for a pregnant person.

Patrick turned around just in time to spot the amused look on his boyfriend's face. His eyes instictively locked on the roundness of his abdomen. Even the hoodie he was wearing -that was two sized bigger than his normal size- couldn't do much to hide the seeminly never ending growing of his baby bump. Their baby bump.

Pete was actually surpised that no one had figured it out yet. Not even Patrick's father. Then again, the first thought that comes to someone's head when they see a man gaining weight isn't usually, I bet that guy's pregnant. In fact, It probably wasn't a thought in anyone's head at all. Ever. No one paid attention to the obvious changes happening with Patrick. Sure, a couple of dick heads at the school mentioned him being bigger, but that was it.

"What are you thinking about?" Patrick questioned when he reached him.

"How long do you think we can keep this up?"

"Keep what up?"

"Hiding this from everyone. In another month or so, it's going to be too noticable."

Patrick drew back as if he'd been punched in the face. "So you're saying that I'm fat?"

"What? No!"

"Yes you are." Patrick nodded. His eyes narrowing more with each passing second. "You're saying I'm too fat to keep pretending that I'm not pregnant. And that eveyone should start calling me Fatrick again."

"No I'm not. I literally kicked the shit out of the last guy who called you that."

"So now I'm stupid?" He snapped

"What?!"

"That's me." Patrick gestured to himself weakly. "Stupid, Fat patrick with the swollen feet and aching back."

"Babe, I-" He opened his mouth and closed it again. Trying to make sense of what was happening. "I literally didn't say any of that shit."

"Why are you yelling at me?" His angry eyes moistened.

Pete was terrified. "I-I'm not. I'm sorry."

"I just wanted to come to the mall and have a good day with my boyfriend."

"That's what we're doing!" Pete assured him.

"Then why are we fighting in the middle of the mall with everyone staring at us?"

Pete looked around. No one was paying any attention to them. A wondering eyes or two glaned thier way as they walked past the crying man. But no one was openly staring. He knew relaying that knowledge to Patrick would only result in fueling his fire. So he decided to try another route.

"Baby, I"m sorry." He wrapped an arm around the shorter man's shoulders. Pulling his face into the curve of his neck. The tensity in his shoudlers loosened. "I didn't mean to upset you. I didn't know you'd react that way. I was just saying-"

Patrick yanked away. "So now I'm overreacting, huh?" His eyes were still wet. But now they were cold. Hard. Pete wanted to cry.

"No."

"You know what, Pete? Fuck you. You're an assole and I hate you."

"Fine!" He threw his hands up in exasperation. "I don't know what to do here anymore, Patrick." He turned away. "I'm going to get something to drink. Do you want anything?"

Patrick grabbed for his arm in an attempt to stop him. But his fingers just ended up brushing against his elbow. Still, Pete turned around to face him. Bracing himself for the torrent of words that were sure to follow. Braced himself for what ever confusing emotion change would happen next.

"I'm sorry. I don't hate you."

Pete sighed. "I know."

"I the oposite of hate you."

"I know that too."

Patrick looked away from his face. "And I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Baby, you're having a baby. You're going through not only physical changes, but emoitonal ones too."

"I don't like it."

"I know. If I could switch places with you to make you feel better, I would."

He met his eyes again. "No you wouldn't."

"Yeah, I wouldn't." He admitted. Patrick laughed and Pete relaxed. He had his boyfriend back. Even if it was only a second before the hormones took over again. "I saw you puke five times yesterday."

"Being pregnant sucks so bad." It could have been a sob or a laugh that followed. Maybe a mixture of both. "People always say what a beautiful process it is, but it's not. I have stress lines, my feet are swollen and I'm getting stretch marks. I cried this morning because McDonald's ice cream machine was broken, Pete."

"I know." He held back his laugh. "I was there."

"I want this to be over."

"It will be." He attempted to soothe him with a kiss to his temple. "And we're going to get a beautiful baby girl out of it."

"Girl?" He scoffed.

"Yes girl."

"You don't want a boy? Don't most guys want a boy?"

"Patrick, I'm standing in the mall with my pregnant boyfriend. I'm not most guys."

"That true."

"And I've always wanted to be a father to a little girl."

"Why? What's wrong with a boy?"

"Nothing is wrong with boys. I'm a boy. I'm in love with a boy. Boys are great. But girls... girls are beautiful and smart and reisitant and strong. We need a little girl to balance us out."

"I think I just fell in love with you a little more."

"I think that's the first time you've ever said that to me."

"I know. I can tell by the way my heart is pounding."

"And you mean it, right? You weren't just teasing?"

"If I say I meant it, will you buy me cheesecake?"

Pete considered. "I'll buy you cheesecake no matter what your answer is. Because I'll still love you."

"I meant it. I love you too."