The Pros and Cons of Being Outed | Peterick

Chapter Thirteen

In the meantime, Patrick only got closer to his friend group. Pete had quickly decided that he wanted to come out to them, just not the whole school and all.

Patrick had only wanted him to be sure of himself, because he knew this was a step Pete couldn't take back. Pete wouldn't be able to pull it off as a prank or a joke, so he had to be serious.

Together, they told Gerard, Andy, and Joe that they were in a relationship. Joe sighed deeply before pulling out a twenty bill and handed it to Andy.

"What, you had a bet?!" Patrick exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief.

"You two have always been close," Andy said sagely. "I figured that the day would come eventually."

"I agree," Joe said. "I just thought that Pete would run away from it, but I guess not."

Pete laughed slightly at that.

Gerard was excited for them, like he had been previously. "Actually, I think that money should be mine," he argued. "I called it before you, Andy."

"You weren't in on the bet," Andy smiled.

"Maybe I should have joined in," Pete said thoughtfully. "Ten bucks says we'll be engaged before we head off for college."

Patrick rolled his eyes. "How is that fair? You're one of the people involved in it, dumbo."

Pete nodded. "Yeah, but I can't just easily win. You'd have to say yes."

Pete was still dumb, despite his point. How could Patrick ever say no to him?

Patrick shook his head, smiling. "I guess," he compromised.

Their attention quickly shifted to Gerard, who had cleared his throat. "I have something to confess as well," he spoke nervously. His cheeks flushed as he realized everyone was looking at him.

"What is it?" One of them asked. Patrick couldn't tell who, because he still had his hunch on him and wondered if this could be it.

"I'm gay," Gerard admitted, and as soon as he did so, he let out a deep breath. "God, it's so good to get that off my chest."

And well, Patrick couldn't control himself. "I knew it, don't know about you guys," he said, casting a glance at the others.

Gerard rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I realized that you did."

"Does that mean you had a crush on him at one point?" Pete asked, apparently recalling all the way back to Patrick saying he gets crushes on like every person he thinks is gay.

"Maybe for like a week," Patrick shrugged.

Andy and Joe laughed. Gerard simply made himself look hurt. "Only a week?!" He put a hand on his heart. "How could you?"

Pete was smiling too. "Yeah, you little heartbreaker," he said, nudging him. "You had me stuck on you for such a long time."

It was at that moment that Joe decided to change the subject. "Gerard," he said. "Do you have a crush on someone?"

Knowing him, he probably wanted to make another bet since he lost the last one. But everyone was intrigued by the question, looking back at Gerard.

Gerard simply sighed. It appeared like this was a touchy subject. "Yeah," he admitted. "And it fucking blows. I feel so cliché but he makes me feel so much happier."

Patrick awed to himself. He's a sucker for romance, what can he say? "Who?" he spoke up.

"My brother's best fucking friend," Gerard rolled his eyes. "Cliché, like I said. His name's Frank and he makes my heart weird."

"Gerard Way, the king of romance," Pete joked. "But seriously, you should tell him. You'll just feel sorry for yourself if you don't."

"I know," Gerard replied. "Everything's just messy. He thinks I hate him."

Patrick sighed to himself. This was the dumbest situation ever. "Start acting friendly," he pressed. "I know how you are, Mr. I Hate People."

Gerard looked sheepish, embarrassed by how quickly he figured it out.

The rest of the time they hung out that night, they were giving Gerard tips. They quickly realized that if Gerard simply acts nice now, Frank will probably think he just wants to be friends. Gerard has to flirt too, which stressed him out a lot.

After everyone left the house later, Pete smiled. "I knew it would turn out fine."

"I did too," Patrick replied. "I just wanted you to be ready."

"I was." Pete replied, scooting closer to him. "Do you think you can sleep over tonight?"

"Dude, it's a Thursday night," Patrick pointed out. "Mom doesn't let me sleep over on school nights."

Pete rolled his eyes. "I know, but I had to try."

After a goodnight kiss, Patrick left Pete's house and started his walk home.