Chapter Text
Patrick felt light headed the entire night. His mother called him for dinner, but he told her he wasn’t all that hungry. She insisted he eat something, so he took a granola bar into his room and laid under his covers.
Stupid Pete. Fuck him.
Patrick woke up late the next morning. He had 10 minutes until school started, so he yanked a shirt and jeans from his closet and ran into the bathroom. Realizing he had grabbed a sweater vest and a button down shirt, he cringed. He only wore stuff like that to funerals and weddings. Not that he went to many of those anyways. He surveyed the outfit and begrudgingly put it on. He didn’t have time to choose something else. He brushed through his messy hair, trying to make it look as decent as possible, but it still looked like he had just woken up.
“Fuck me,” Patrick muttered under his breath as he quickly ran to his closet and laced up his converse.
He was late by 5 minutes. He walked in the classroom, trying to ignore everyone’s blank stares. His teacher asked if he had an excuse for being tardy, Patrick said no shamefully and sat in his usual seat next to Joe.
“A fucking sweater vest, man?” Joe whispered.
Patrick’s cheeks flushed.
“What the hell? Why?”
Patrick shrugged, trying his best to keep his attention forward.
“You look like a 10 year old going to Catholic school, Stump.”
Patrick laughed. He honestly looked sort of dumb.
“Oh well,” he sighed.
The rest of the day went by slowly. Soon lunchtime rolled around and Patrick entered the courtyard, sitting in his regular spot. Then out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Pete. He tried to compose himself as he took a seat across from him.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hi,” Patrick muttered.
“I just figured it would be a good time to talk. Cuz of last night.”
“Yeah…” Patrick bit his nail and squirmed in his seat.
“I… just wanted to tell you that whatever you’re feeling right now, if you’re scared or excited or just really freaking out, it’s okay. I am too. We don’t have to do anything if you don’t wanna. I understand.”
Patrick’s eyes widened.
“I know you’re really uncomfortable and you have all these new feelings and you’re confused and all. I just think you’re a really cool guy. You know?” Pete said, smirking as he got up from the table and started to walk away.
“I think you’re cool too.” Patrick fumbled on his words.
“And by the way, I like your sweater vest.” Pete winked and kept walking until he was out of sight. Patrick watched as his friends walked to the table a few seconds later.
“Hey, how’s your day going, Patrick?” Brendon asked conversationally.
He mulled the question over for a bit. “I’m actually good.”
“Oh really? What happened?” he said languidly.
“I met someone. And I am freaking out.”