The Pros and Cons of Being Outed | Peterick

Chapter Six

Some things were different, of course. Before this whole incident occurred, he didn't have to deal with people directing slurs at him when he walks by.

Walks in the hallways at school used to be pleasant, and now they're just making him feel like a volcano waiting to erupt, waiting for just one comment to tip him over the edge.

It may happen eventually, if things stay like this. But for now, Patrick will focus on his friends and look at them for help. They always know how to calm him down.

The last few days had been terrible, that was for sure. But today had been a Friday, meaning he had the weekend to relax and collect himself.

Of course, he wouldn't be free the entire weekend. Gerard saw that Saturday would be the perfect time for all of them to go to a party, considering Patrick is semi-out of the closet and can flirt with guys now.

Patrick didn't have the heart to tell him he wasn't in the mood for that, considering Gerard probably suggested this to cheer him up. Parties weren't his scene.

In the past, parties have just been the perfect place to kiss confused straight boys, since he could also claim he was confused. The guys didn't have to know that he knew with certainty that he liked it, but if Patrick did this now, they'd surely know.

Who would want to do that with him now, anyway?

---

Saturday quickly approached, making Patrick feel anxious. But he told himself nothing would happen at this party anyway, and that he would be fine.

That's what he told himself once they walked into the crowded house, lined up with crazy teenagers and alcohol. Someone passed him one of those plastic cups, so he took it. And drank it.

He was a bit loose after that, not feeling so worried. He sat along the wall, along with his friends, who were conversing loudly to be heard over the loud music.

"How about we find a group playing party games?" Gerard suggested, shooting a wink at Patrick. "Maybe there'll be Seven Minutes In Heaven."

Why did that statement automatically have a certain sexual context? Who's to say that Patrick won't be shoved in a closet with a homophobic guy, ready to beat him the hell up?

But at the same time, it would be fun. Lord knows he doesn't get a lot of action anyway, so Patrick agrees, along with the others.

The group climbs the staircase in the house and goes in one of the rooms. Andy and Joe talk to some people there, probably asking about what they were doing. Coincidentally enough, they were playing Seven Minutes In Heaven.

Wow, God must be on his side. The group of friends decide they will join in, so after the previous couple gets out of the closet, Joe spins the bottle.

It lands on a random girl that Patrick's sure none of them now. She looks slightly happy about it, but also anxious. They walk into the closet together, and the rest of them just wait.

During that time, Patrick glanced around the room, trying to see if he recognized anyone. Among the circle, the only person he didn't come with that he recognized was Brendon, who was sitting directly across from him. That wasn't much of a surprise; Brendon apparently went to many parties.

When Brendon noticed he was looking, he smiled and waved. Patrick awkwardly waved back, deciding to just look down at the floor for the rest of the time.

Once Joe and the girl got out of the closet, more people spun the bottle. Time actually went by quickly, once Patrick got lost in his head.

Next thing he knew, it was his turn to spin. He prayed to all the gods out there that he didn't get paired up with a girl. That would just be awkward.

Patrick took a deep breath, and spun  the bottle. He followed the bottle with his eyes as it first landed in between Brendon and Pete, who was on Brendon's left, before moving over to point at Brendon.

Brendon wouldn't be too bad, he decided. Off to the closet they went, which was honestly a great metaphor now that he thought about it.

"I didn't know you'd be at this party," Brendon grinned, squeezing into the closet.

"Yeah," Patrick replied, "I didn't think I'd show up to be honest. My friends kind of planned it as a celebration."

"For coming out?"

"I suppose."

Brendon looked off to the side for a moment, before looking at him shyly. "I'm glad I got to be in here with a cute guy," he smiled.

After realizing he was gay, Patrick had become a pro at noticing people were flirting. He had to, in order to ever find someone who may be interested in guys, and he knew that Brendon was flirting. From the statement Brendon just said, to the look he was giving him, Patrick just knew it.

And it had been a while...

"Likewise," Patrick smirked.

Brendon didn't need another hint. He took the initiative and leaned forward, and kissed him.

It was alright, Patrick supposed, but there was nothing there. He felt nothing special, but he still reciprocated it, even throwing his arms around Brendon's neck as Brendon pulled him closer.

Once they pulled away, there were no words exchanged. They just continued, knowing they had a limited amount of time. Once one of the girls yelled that time was up, Patrick quickly pulled away.

It was fun in the moment, but Patrick just realized now that things would probably be awkward now. Especially with his probably ruffled hair, because his friends could probably guess what happened.

Patrick walked out of that closet feeling regret, while Brendon walked out feeling smug and dazed.

When they were leaving the party, Gerard, Andy, and Joe congratulated him for a job well done.

"Who knew Brendon was gay?" Joe chuckled.

"Or bi," Andy added.

Gerard shrugged, apparently not all too concerned. "Did you have any fun?" he asked Patrick.

"Yeah," Patrick replied, though he wasn't sure exactly how fun it had been in the long run. Patrick'll probably fret over this for days, anyway.

And Pete didn't say anything at all.