Senior Slump Or Comeback Of The Year

Can You Keep A Secret?

The room was heavy with the kind of tension that made breathing a labored task. Or maybe it had nothing to do with the atmosphere of the room at all. Maybe it had everything to do with the fear pumping through Patrick's veins. He hoped the extra large sweater he was wearing to hide his torso was also hiding the rapid rise and fall of his chest. His fingers toyed with a loose thread on the knee of his jeans. Hopefully making him look more bored than fidgety. 

Hiding his nerves was his priority at the moment. Popular people could smell the fear of the weaker. And he was sitting in the room with the four most popular faces in his school. Of course one of those faces belonged to the guy who loved him. But still, three out of four wasn't really a safer combo. The odds weren't in his favor. Their favor because he and Pete were in this one together.

The entire thing had been Pete's idea after all. For some unknown reason, Patrick's boyfriend thought he could have a reasonable discussion with the three people who hated him more than anything. The people who made all his high school years a living hell. The people who knew his biggest secret. The people with all the power to ruin his life with said secret. It wasn't surprising that Pete convinced the trio to stop by his house after school without telling them why they were being invited. The surprising part was Andy agreeing to stop by. 

His friend (ex friend?) stood at the corner of the couch the other three were sitting on. Refusing to sit down because he 'didn't plan on staying that long'. Patrick was grateful he came at all. Because even if they weren't currently speaking, he knew he could count on Andy to have his back should the situation take a turn for the worse.

After what felt like an eternity of waiting for the world to turn upside down, Pete cleared his throat to speak. 

"I'm sure you're all wondering why I asked you over."

"No." Meagan seethed sarcastically. "We were too busy enjoying the awkward silence."

"Could you not be an asshole for one second and let him speak?" Mikey's tone was just bordering hostile. 

When the cheerleader didn't speak up again, he continued. 

"I would appreciate it if what we discussed in this room stayed in this room. Is that cool with everybody?"

"Of course." Mikey spoke up first.

"Sure." Meagan's response came more reluctantly.

"Okay." Sarah nodded eagerly. Clearly preparing for some type of gossip.

All eyes turned to Andy.

He glared back. "Fine. Whatever."

Pete glanced down at Patrick. His arms tightened around the shorter man when he noticed the hopeless look he was trying to hide from his face by feigning indifference. Patrick was happy for the comforting embrace. He held his breathe as Pete uttered the next words.

"Patrick is pregnant."

The response around the room was not the one he expected. Andy's eyes widened at the confession. Patrick knew it wasn't the shock of hearing the news. Of course the only person he considered a friend was privy to that information long before today. His surprise more than likely steamed from the other people in the room who now knew. Mikey's eyes were trained on Pete. His expression remaining neutral. Meagan and Sarah shared a knowing look before the former broke out into an I told you so smirk. Sarah, bless her heart, was the only one wearing the predicted look of confusion. Her dark eyes focused on Patrick's middle. Trying to see something past the giant hoodie.

"Are you fucking serious?" Sarah spoke in Patrick and Pete's direction before turning in her seat to face her best friend. "Are you fucking serious?"