when the party's over, hockstetter 𝜗𝜚

xvi. we should talk

❨ WHEN THE PARTY'S OVER ❩
CHAPTER SIXTEEN:
WE SHOULD TALK

‧ : *: ‧ °✧

spring, april 1989

spring arrived sooner than the people of derry could have imagined. flowers blossomed in vibrant hues, filling the air with their sweet fragrance. the once-bare trees were now adorned with fresh green leaves, and the gentle breeze carried the promise of renewal and warmth.

(y/n) and patrick lie cuddled together in patrick's bed, their eyes locked on each other, their noses just barely touching.

they had just shared the news with his parents, and although they were disappointed, they offered their support.

if and only if, patrick cut the shit and stopped getting into ridiculous trouble.

ever since the scare, she'd been begging him to stop, but would still catch him bullying the losers or stealing from the corner store.

(y/n) knew it would be hard for him, as he was essentially changing his entire nature, but she hoped he felt it was worth it and would start putting in the work.

in only twenty more weeks they'd have their own being to worry about.

☆

the bell signaling the end of the school day had just rung, prompting (y/n) to pack up her belongings and join the sea of students in the hallway.

she heads towards the gang's usual spot, disappointment spreading across her face as she watches the scene unfolding before her.

patrick taunts poor stanley uris, snatching his kippah off his head and waving it mockingly. the rest of the gang laughs along, feeding his ego.

the girl looks down at her bump, exposed and protruding beneath her too-small t-shirt, realizing that she must now act on what she has been contemplating.

"i think we should spend some time apart," she tells the boy softly. she had decided it was best to wait until they were alone to have this type of conversation.

they stand outside his house, the rumble of belch's car idling in the driveway.

"w-what? why?" the boy asks, hurt evident in his tone, "is this because of that jew? that ain't fair, lil' bit. i can't just go cold turkey and change overnight, you gotta give me time!"

(y/n) cringes at his words, a long sigh falling past her lips.

"i gave you time, trick. months. it's getting too close to the time for me to have this baby and i need to do what's best for us. right now, it's not you."

the raven haired boy opens and closes his mouth, struggling to find the right words.

his girlfriend was right. she had given him more time than he deserved, but he couldn't pull himself together. as much as it broke his heart, maybe she and the baby would be better off without him.

"okay." he finally musters, mouth dry.

the shorter girl smiles sadly at him, standing on her tiptoes to give him a tender kiss.

"it doesn't have to be forever. i just think you need some time to reflect on what's at stake."

the boy can only nod.

"goodbye, pat." the young woman calls as she walks towards the trans-am.

she's about to shut the car door when the boy calls after her.

"i'll see you soon, okay?" his eyes are pleading, his gut telling him to not let her go, "i love you, (y/n)."

"mhm." she responds. her frow deepens.

patrick watches with a heavy heart as the car slowly pulls out of the driveway and drives away, its taillights fading into the distance.

tears sting his eyes, but he forces them back, channeling his pain into anger.

he tells himself it's her loss, that she's the one missing out, though deep down he knows it isn't true.

his greatest fear has come to pass—he has lost his most prized possession.