We're so Miserable and Stunning (Peterick AU)

Ch1 - Stomp Out This Disaster Town

A/N: Pretty much the whole story will be in Patrick's POV. I also suck at intros, so it might be a little rocky, but stick with me! I've been working on this for kind of a long time now and I'm excited to share! I'll also be entering it into the 2016 Wattys! Hope you guys like it, enjoy. <3

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My backpack is pulling down on my shoulders, crushing my back and making me ache. I look up and sigh. I look down and kick a pebble. I look sideways and bend my knees back and forth. I roll my eyes and sigh again.

It's excruciatingly hot outside; mid-August heat. It's not even 7 am yet. Today is going to be a long, long day. I'm looking around, bored, when I see the faded yellow bus come around the corner from down the street. The breaks squeal and the bus rumbles to a stop, making me cringe. I look at the chipped paint, peeling all over, and dread the day ahead. The bus picks up and rolls down the street, squealing to a stop in front of me.

Maybe this year will be different? I ask myself hopefully. Doubt it. Sighing, I climb up the steps onto the bus. I hear loud chatter and laughing. Turning into the isle, I see the bus is packed with kids from all grades.

        "Hey fuckwad," someone mumbles at me. Someone else throws a crumpled up paper at me. I turn and drop into the very first seat, sinking as low as I can so I can't be seen.

Same as always, I sigh, letting my head fall back against the seat. I guess I've always just been an easy target. I don't say anything, I don't fight back. I don't know why, really, but I guess I don't care enough. Maybe one day I'll snap and try to fight back. Another pernicious year in the making.

I close my eyes lazily and wish the world away. When I feel myself drifting off, I snap my head up and look out the window, realizing we're pulling up to the school already. I must be the last pick up, which means I'll be one of the first drop offs. Perfect. Minimal interaction with anyone from school is tailored to my interests.

When the bus rolls to a stop in front of the school, I bolt up from my seat and I'm the first out of the doors. I wrap my arm around my books that didn't fit in my backpack tightly, pulling them to my chest, and shove my free hand in my pocket. I stare at my feet and hurriedly walk towards the doors through the mass of students. Dodging everyone is pretty easy. At least that's what I think, until someone who's not paying attention steps back right in front of me as I'm pushing past, and I slam into them.

        "Whoa there!" he laughs. I sigh and step back, not looking up. I'm irritated and nervous at once.

        "Sorry," I say impatiently as I try to maneuver around him.

        "Slow down, buddy," he says as he steps sideways to block my path again, but purposefully this time. He sets his hands on my shoulders. "What's your name?"

        "Patrick," I say, finally looking up at his face. My face grows cold as I feel all the color leave my cheeks. I've managed to run into none other than Pete Wentz within five minutes of my first day of junior year. Pete is one of the most popular kids in the entire school, everyone thinks he's cool because he's the captain of the soccer team... Girls would do anything to get in his pants. With a face and body like his paired with his relaxed, careless demeanor... I don't blame them. Blood rushes back to my cheeks, and this time I know they're pink. I shift uncomfortably.

        "Patrick. Right, well, have a nice day Patrick," he says as he bows to me and steps aside. Flashing a grin at me, he waves his hands out towards the door, directing me on. I glance around nervously, then look back at the ground and head in the building, trying to get away from him as fast as possible. I hear his friends snicker, but I can't tell if he's laughing too or not. He probably is.

I check a small slip of paper with a number written on it to make sure I'm walking to the right locker, even though I know I am. After I've shoved all my books that I don't need in it, I close it and fiddle with the lock. Finally getting it shut, I turn around and pull out my schedule. As I look down to it, someone walks by and puts a hand on my forehead, slamming my head back into my locker.

        "Fag," they mutter as they walk off and laugh with their friends. Leaving my head against my locker and closing my eyes, I release a breath. Not even ten minutes into the day. This pretty much couldn't get worse. I sigh and pull my head off my locker, standing up straight and opening my eyes. I have English first. I run my fingers through my hair on the back of my head, smoothing it back down.

Making sure I have everything I need, I look up to find where my class is. When I look up, I notice Pete staring at me curiously. His head is cocked to the side, his brow furrowed. I blush again and look down. He's cute is all that runs through my head. He stands still, his friends laughing around him. I figure he's been standing there the whole time, watching the scene unfold. I flush with embarrassment and look back up at him, wanting to disappear right then and there.

        "Come on, Pete!" his friends yell, waving him over and laughing. He looks down and shakes his head, a smile on his face when he walks over to his friends. I sigh and slump a little lower, walking to English class with my head down. I have to push my hair out of my face more than once because of the angle of my head.

Walking into English, nobody pays attention to me, so I just quietly walk to the back of the class and sit down. I set my stuff down beside me and cross my arms on my desk, laying my head down on them to the side. I hear someone crumple a piece of paper and seconds later I feel it come in contact with my head. I hear snickering and I just pick my head up and flick it off the desk, not bothering to unfold and read it, assuming there is something written on it. Putting my head back down, I start to drift to sleep as the bell rings. Pete's face pops into my head, and I groan.

Really not the time for a crush, and why him? Damn.