"Friendship" ~ Petekey

Ch.12~Pete Gains a Nerve

Pete slammed his locker shut. Yesterday was the deadline. Yesterday he was suppose to tell Mikey and Gerard's secret. He didn't. No matter how much they pushed him to, he didn't. He just claimed he didn't know and continued on. He walked down the hall to get Mikey when his heart sank and all the color in his face went away. There Billie Joe was, talking to the younger boy. Pete knows Billie Joe is sweet talking Mikey. Trying to convince him he's a good person, despite the fact he barely is. And it took Pete nearly two years of being in the club to realize that.

Pete followed the two as they walked to Billie Joe's house. This can't be happening. This is the worst scenario possible. 

Pete walked into the house and down to the basement, where they were already interrogating Mikey.

"So your brother use to attend this club," Billie Joe said, "But then stopped, why?"

"Uhh, I dunno," Mikey replied.

"'Course you know!" Billie Joe exclaimed, "You're his brother! You have to!"

"But-But I don't," Mikey sounded like he was beginning to feel scared.

That hurt Pete. Just seeing Mikey begin to tremble made him want to step in.

"Are you not close to him?"

"I am."

"Then why don't you know?"

"Cut it out, Billie," Pete cut in, dropping his backpack.

All eyes were on him now. Mikey's eyes were glassy and full of fear.

"Leave him alone," Pete said, walking up to the oldest boy.

"Why?" Billie Joe asked, "Once the kid tells, we'll let him go."

"That kid has a name," Pete replied, "And I think it would be better to use it."

"Pete, shut up about your boyfriend," Tre joked, making the club members surrounding them laugh.

"Maybe if you did your job, he wouldn't be in this position," Billie Joe said, "You put him in this position."

Mikey's look of bewilderment and fear quickly became a look of betrayal. Pete felt his heart break ever so slightly.

"No I didn't," Pete said. "You did."

"If you just told him to tell you--"

"I did, I know why Gerard hasn't been coming," Pete said, his burning anger slipping out. "I've known for a month!"

Billie Joe glared at him with venom obvious in his eyes, "Why didn't you tell?"

"Because Mikey told me not to," Pete said.

"You listened to this pipsqueak?"

"Don't call him that," Pete snapped, diverting his attention to Mikey. 

He grabbed his arm, dragging him away from the crowd.

"I'm so sorry, Mikey," He said, his voice quiet and gentle, "I didn't mean for all this to happen."

"You've been using me?" Mikey asked, his voice cracking.

He knew it. Billie Joe talked bad about Pete on the way to the house. He should've known.

"Of course not," Pete replied.

"'Course he has!" Billie Joe cried, "He didn't even want to be your friend!"

"You're right, I didn't," Pete said, pushing Mikey behind him as he faced the crowd, "But I did. I did because he has such a gentle soul. He helped me with work none of you ever bothered to pay attention to! When I felt my worst, Mikey was there to pick me up."

Everyone was silent, listening. Billie Joe scowled, crossing his arms.

"If anyone was used, it was me," Pete continued, "You guys made me do your dirty work. You made everyone do your dirty work! And I didn't realize that until I met Mikey."

Billie Joe rolled his eyes.

"And you know what, Mikey is a better friend than you'll ever be," Pete said, letting every piece of anger in his bones out. "And you know what, I'm unashamed to say that I think I might just be in love with him."

Everyone's eyes widened.

"Yeah, I said it," He continued, "And don't even try kicking me from the group because I quit!"

He grabbed Mikey's trembling hand. He grabbed his bag and walked Mikey out. Once he shut the door to Billie Joe's house, he walked Mikey to the yard and sat him down. Mikey was breathing fast and hard as he shook. Tears looked ready to launch at any minute.

"Deep breaths, Mikey," He told Mikey, sitting across from him. "Watch."

He breathed with Mikey for a few minutes. Once Mikey's breathing evened out, he began talking.

"I'm so sorry," He said softly, grabbing Mikey's shaky hand and rubbing it, "You're right. He was manipulative. My friendship with him was toxic. He forced me to go out and talk to you."

Mikey stared up at Pete, his eyes still looking hurt.

"I'll be honest, I didn't want to," He continued, "I had a month to get the secret. But the more we talked, the more I actually started liking you."

He looked down at Mikey's soft hand, "And somewhere along the way, I started having a thing for you."

Mikey was still too scared too talk, but that doesn't matter. Maybe that's actually a good thing. Pete can get all of what he wants to say out without interruption.

"I-I understand if you never want to talk to me again," Pete sighed, standing up, "But just let me walk you home."