Here I Am Again || a Patty Walters Fic

•14

Patty POV

"Seriously?" I asked. "How do you know?"

"I saw him at the merch tent," she sighed. "But don't worry, Ali was selling merch and he told him he couldn't stay there unless he bought something."

"Fuck," I snapped. "He better not find us."

"Yeah, as long as we stay with Brandy wherever she goes," Regan responded.

We walked inside the bus and sat on the couch with Brandy.

"Hey," she started. "Awsten asked if I wanna go see State Champs with him after our signing, do you guys wanna come?"

I looked over at Regan and frowned. "I don't know, babe. I thought you were worried about seeing someone you know today anyway."

"Eh," she shrugged. "I don't really care anymore after our show."

"Well, we might be tired after the signing. We'll see then."

"Okay," she said, confused.

"We should probably leave for the signing," I said to change the subject. "You can come if you want, Regan."

"Okay," she smiled. "I'll hang out in the tent."

•

"I feel famous," Regan laughed as we walked back from the signing. "I can't believe three people asked me to sign their posters!"

"Yeah," Brandy chuckled. "You have fans now."

We arrived at the bus and stepped inside.

"Okay," Brandy said, turning to me. "State Champs? Or are you too tired."

"Brandy, I don't know," I sighed. "You really don't know who you could run into. I don't want you to be upset if you see someone."

"Patty, I really don't care. I don't give a shit about who I see anymore."

"Come on," I pleaded. "I promised I'd keep you safe and I'm telling you it's best to go some other day."

"Really?" She snapped. "You're being awful certain about me running into someone, do you know something I don't?"

"No, I just want to keep you safe."

"From what?" She questioned.

"From anyone who could hurt you!" I raised my voice.

She started to cry slightly. "Patty, tell me the truth."

I turned to look at Regan, who nodded slowly. "Marcus is here."

"Regan? Did you tell him that?" She said, tears welling in her eyes.

"Yeah, I wanted him to know so you wouldn't have to see him," she answered.

"And you just weren't gonna tell me? And YOU weren't gonna tell me, Patty?" She cried.

"You can't really be serious about this," I said.

"Yeah, we're just trying to protect you," Regan said in a frustrated tone.

"You're not doing too well at it then," She spat.

"Go with Awsten if you want," I sighed. "But Marcus wants to find you and you may not care now but you'll sure as hell care when he does find you."

"Whatever, don't have too much fun," she snapped as she turned around and left.

"I'm sorry, that was my fault," Regan frowned.

"No it's not, it's mine," I said, holding in tears.

Brandy POV

"Hey Awsten!" I smiled as I met him by the sidestage for State Champs.

"Hey!" He waved. "Is everything okay?"

"How do you always know?" I laughed. "Not really."

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"My ex is here," I frowned. "And neither my best friend OR my boyfriend felt like telling me."

"I'm sorry," he said, wrapping his arms around me. "They'll come around."

"Thanks," I smiled. "It feels good to get away for a bit, I guess I'll deal with it later."

•

"I'm starving," Awsten said as the set finished. "Wanna grab some food?"

"Sure," I answered.

We left and eventually decided on a fast food place in the venue.

•

"Well," I smiled at Awsten. "I guess I'm gonna go back to the bus."

"Okay, good luck," he chuckled and hugged me one more time.

I grabbed my drink and left the restaurant.

As I approached the parking lot, I turned around as I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Finally," I heard my ex-boyfriend say as he grabbed my hand, "You're alone for once."

"Leave me alone," I said, my voice cracking with each word.

"As if you're gonna stop me," he spat.

"You don't know me anymore, Marcus. Just go. Fucking let me live," I snapped.

Next thing I knew, his lips came in contact with mine.

I resisted, but he didn't stop until I pushed my hand up against his shoulder forcefully.

"That's how you want this to be?" He growled. Before I could react, I felt his fist against my jaw, knocking me back.

I collapsed on the ground from a swift punch in the gut, seeing him walk away before everything faded to black.

Patty POV

"I hope she's okay," I said, rubbing my eyes and getting up from the couch.

"Dude, she's fine," Ben chimed in. "She's probably just ignoring you to be honest."

"You're right," I frowned. "I'm sorry, Regan. This was supposed to be your day to see her and I ruined that."

"No you didn't," she said quietly. "I did. I know her better than that."

"Don't worry about it. Do you think we should go look for her?" I asked.

"I don't know," Regan shrugged. "I'm sure she's fine."

"Whatever, I have to go look for her," I said, trying to hide the tears forming in my eyes.

"Come on, Patty!" Ben said. "Really?"

"I'll be back," I replied bluntly.

•

My heart dropped as soon as I reached the entrance to the parking lot.

"Brandy?" I cried as I walked up to her. "Brandy, wake up!"

She didn't move. I noticed she had blood dripping from her mouth and her shirt was lifted up, revealing a bruise on her stomach.

I sat down next to her after dialing 911. "I'm sorry," I whispered as I lifted her head up and laid her across my lap. "I love you."