Zeke and Pattie

Chapter Seven: Pattie

A month had passed since Zeke and I went to the homecoming dance together. June was approaching. Zeke and I would sit together at lunch most days. As well as hanging out together outside of school and work. Most of the time we would just hang out on the hill. It was our spot. While Zeke and I grew closer as friends, not much discussion about him being bullied popped up. He would dodge the topic every time.

I was sitting outside alone this time. During my lunch in a quiet area with no people around, I play the ukulele. A secret talent I had. I was playing the song Can't Help Falling In Love by Elvis. I definitely wasn't the greatest singer, but I sang along for fun.

Wise men say

Only fools rush in

However, I can't help falling in love with you

Shall I stay?

Would it be a sin?

For I can't help falling in love with y-

I begin hearing a male voice singing along. I stopped dead in my tracks. The voice was low and harmonized nicely. At times he was off-key but wasn't bad. I was also having a slight panic attack due to being startled. Someone was lurking around me. I didn't like that. I had a guess of who it could coincidentally be. Turning the corner to see that same classic red hoodie like I speculated.

"Lurking much!" I yelled. Scaring the crap out of Zeke.

Zeke whipped around frantically. Jumping out of his own skin. The look on his face was priceless and caused me to roll on the ground laughing. My sides hurt from how hard I laughed. Zeke had his hand on his heart, trying to calm himself down from his heart attack.

"That is revenge best served for scaring me last month in the halls!" I laugh hysterically.

"You're a mad woman Pattie! Scaring you was by accident and you hit me too afterward. Which left a bruise FYI. And how was I supposed to know you were gonna be around the corner playing an instrument with one of my favourite songs- Wait! I didn't know you had a knack for the arts. Or sing decently." He pointed out.

I freeze on the ground. Sinking in, I just found out a few things. Zeke now knows more about me than I know about him; he knows my secret hobby. Grrr that man-child. I grumbled to myself. Knowing that this is one of his favourite songs was interesting to be honest.

"Yeah yeah. Whatever. Not like you'll hear me do that again. I didn't think you'd be one for Elvis hmm?" I wiggled my brows at him. He blushes a little.

"There's nothing wrong with liking a classic. Plus, when I was in the ninth grade my....ex at the time...we went to a school dance. It was a retro night. It was our slow song. Since then I just loved the song. Even after our departure." Zeke muffles out his explanation.

"Well, that sounds lovely. Sorry, you two didn't work out. Did you two at least break off on good terms? You don't have to reply to that." I ask cautiously. Being gentle with any topic involving his past.

"Not really. No. Wouldn't be able to talk to them about it now. Even if I tried. ." Zeke responds coldly.

"Well sorry that your ex-was an asshole then. You don't deserve their meaningless words or explanations anyways." I say.

Trying to be supportive. He laughs, it wasn't cheerful. Not in an attempt to mock me either. Just a reflection on his past that made him bitter. "You can say that again. Like I said, I could never get a response if I attempted too. Far too late now. They'd never want to confront me." He repeats

I knew he hinted that something bad happened between him and his ex. Like maybe he was cheated on and they moved away or something. It'll come together later on.