Miss Missing You (a Patrick Stump fanfiction) (edited)

Chapter Two

I woke up late the next morning, and jumped out of bed when I saw the time. I had twenty minutes until rehearsal started. I ran to the bathroom and took a shower, and rushed back to my room and dressed in jeans and a t shirt. My clothes for dancing were at the studio. I crammed my feet into a pair of sneakers and ran out the door. As soon as I did, I slipped on a piece of ice outside my door and stumbled, scraping my elbow on the wall.

"Fuck." I hissed, regaining my balance. At least it wasn't bleeding too badly. I hurried on to my car, stepping in a puddle and soaking my shoe. "For real?" I asked the world. This day was already awful, and I hadn't even had to deal with Patrick yet.

I got in my car and drove to the studio, barely making it on time. I ran to my dressing room and changed quickly, and someone knocked on my door. "Tori, you coming?" Will asked. "I'm coming. Just a second." I called back.

"Can I come in?" he asked.

"Yes." I said.

He entered and walked over. "You okay?" he asked. "I overslept, and then getting out of the house was hell." I explained, showing him my elbow.

"Ouch." he said, examining it carefully. "You alright?"

"I'm fine. It's just so obnoxious." I said. "Am I in trouble? Have we started yet?"

He shook his head. "Tom wanted to wait until Fall Out Boy got here. He wants everyone to meet them." he said.

"They're here!" Tom yelled enthusiastically from the stage.

"Fantastic." I muttered.

Will shot me a sympathetic look and and I just shook my head. How was I supposed to face Patrick? What was he going to say to me? He left six years ago. He promised he'd try to come back. And he never did. Just months ago, I decided I was finally over him. But that didn't mean I was ready to face him.

Will started toward the stage. "We're supposed to perform the song and tell them where they'll be joining us." He told me.

"I know." I said. We'd gone over this a hundred times yesterday. "I'm just going to get a drink." Anything to stall having to see the band again.

Will caught my arm. "Are you okay?" he asked. He knew me well enough to know when something was wrong. He just didn't know what. Talking about Patrick wasn't something I liked to do.

"I'm fine. I'll meet you onstage in a few minutes." I said.

He didn't look like he believed me, but he released my arm. I scurried behind the wall, picked up my water bottle, and looked out to the auditorium where Tom was talking to the boys.

I recognized Pete. He'd dyed his hair blonde, and he looked much older, but I'd recognize that constant smile on his face from anywhere.

Joe stood next to him. He'd cut off his hair, and I felt a burst of nostalgia for his wild curls. Beside him was Andy, who looked much older as well, but there was that little friendly grin. And, on the other side of Pete...

Was Patrick.

He was wearing a brown, short sleeved, button down shirt, jeans, combat boots, and his trademark fedora. He had a smile on his face as he talked to Tom. The same heartbreaking smile I'd fallen in love with. I saw Will walk over to them, and shake hands with all four of them. I narrowly missed making eye contact with Pete.

I couldn't do this. I couldn't face him. Maybe I could just leave. Tell Tom I'd gotten sick and drive home. I could figure out a way to deal with them after I'd had more time. I needed more time. I reached for my jacket, and that's when I heard Tom's voice.