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Literature Text
The First Last Kiss
All of Pete’s senses snapped to attention at once like a shock running up his spine and he raked in a ragged gasp. He sat bolt up and looked around, disoriented, as his heart thumped painfully against his ribcage. Quick breathing sounded almost like whimpers in the sparse hotel room. It was like every nerve in his body was twitching with anxiety. After a few more minutes of silence, punctured only by his slowing gasps, Pete closed a hand over his slightly damp face finally recognizing his surroundings. His eyes slid shut and he fell back onto the soft bed relief beginning to flood his system.
“Oh thank god…” he groaned, a small smile forming on his lips despite the residual squeezing his heart was being subjected to. The hotel room, though sparse, was nothing less than plush as he and the other members of the touring band had decided that in this city they would live it up by taking separate lavish rooms. Pete looked over to the clock on his bedside table. The glowing digital numbers read as 9:30am giving him a few hours before the music festival they were playing at began. Deciding to take advantage of the fact that he was far more awake than was usual at this time of morning he threw off the covers and stood up. Pete then walked over to his suitcase, which was resting on a chair, and flipped the lid open. As he searched through the contents of his suitcase for a good outfit Pete did not feel his unease fade like he thought it would. In fact at this point in time he wanted nothing more than to hang out with his friends. Finally he decided on a new clandestine shirt, dark denim jeans and sneakers then inspected himself in the mirror. Giving his hair a quick tousle, his black eye shadow still lingering nicely from the day before, he completed the look. Pete grabbed his wallet and mobile off the dresser and made his way over to the door pressing speed dial one as he went.
There were a few tones before Joe picked up.
“Hey” he said with a yawn.
“Hey Joe, what are you guys doing?” Pete asked now leaving his hotel room and locking the door behind him.
“We’re having breakfast in the dining room” Joe answered “Want me to order something for you, like pancakes with maple syrup?”
“Yum, make it so number one” Pete could almost hear Joe rolling his eyes over the phone.
“What did I say about using obscure TV references dude?”
Pete grinned and chuckled a little.
“Can I talk to rickster?” he began then quickly continued with “Ah never mind, I’ll be down in a minute anyway”
“Ok” Joe said before hanging up. Pete pressed the button for the elevator and then waited impatiently for it to come. He was beginning to feel hunger creeping into his stomach as the elevator arrived opening with a friendly ping noise. Pete got on and pressed the button for the second floor and a sweet woman’s voice informed him that that was option he had chosen. He leaned into one of the corners of the elevator as it slowly descended. The nagging need to be with his friends grew stronger and he looked up to the ceiling noticing a tiny camera in the corner.
“It was just a dream” he said as though assuring the camera of that fact “Just a bad dream…” All the same Pete knew he wouldn’t feel better until he’d at least had breakfast with his band mates.
* * *
“I didn’t know Snape had strawberry blond hair or thick rimmed glasses” Pete sniggered at the black robed figure that was walking towards him “You’re a lot smaller than I pictured too”
“You ought to talk” Patrick said in reply from under his wide rimmed wizard’s hat stifling a smirk “Besides, oh short one, I’m Harry”
“Oh I see, well that makes the costume much more believable” Pete replied as a group of little kids ran past squealing spells and the name of the newest Harry Potter book being released that day.
“Where’s Joe – I mean Dumbledore?” Pete said scanning the faces of the many exited fans that were lining up, crowding around and generally filling up the lower floor of the popular bookstore.
“Over there” Patrick replied jabbing a thumb in the direction of a Dumbledore that appeared to be trying, in vain, to hide behind a shelf “Andy’s here too somewhere, I lost track of him about an hour ago”
“I wonder if they’re enjoying this as much as you, Patrick Potter”
“Oh I doubt it, besides” Patrick added with a mischievous smile spreading across the length of his lips “Joe’s about to start the ‘handing out’ part of his shift where as I am about to end my shift for the day”
“It’s only one o’clock!” Pete shouted happily, checking his watch.
“I started at seven” Patrick said flatly and it was only now that Pete began to notice the tiredness in his friends green eyes.
“Praise Borders for turning you lose early then!” Pete exclaimed excitably patting Patrick on the back “Why don’t you go get changed and I’ll wait for you here. We can get a coffee and relax and talk about a new song idea!”
“So this is what this is about” Patrick said cheerily “You couldn’t wait till later to tell me about a new song idea”
“Aww come on, can’t a friend buy another friend a coffee without being accused of having an ulterior motive?” Pete feigned offence, following Patrick till he slipped into the Borders staff room.
“What’s the name?” Patrick said before he went in, leaving the door slightly ajar.
“The Morning After the Night Before” Pete leaned close to the gap and answered, his enthusiasm for the new song idea distracting him from the commotion that was beginning to take place at the front of the store.
“How does it go?” Patrick asked from the other side of the door.
“Well I’m not really sure of the tune but the lyrics go ‘As I lay me down to sleep, I wish I had a soul to keep, but all I have are these long wasted hours. Better the devil you know, but I think I know mine far too well, keeps me in my own personal hell, some dreams are worth the faking…” Pete’s voice died out as his eyes caught sight of people being shoved around on the other side of the store and the sound level grew louder.
“Yeah and?” Patrick said unaware of what was going on “Pete?” Suddenly a woman screamed grabbing Patrick’s attention. He opened the door but Pete had backed up a bit and was now nearly leaning on Patrick an almost instinctive fear spreading through his body. Something wasn’t right.
* * *
“Second floor” the woman’s voice beamed “Have a nice day”
Pete walked out of the elevator, down a corridor and into the hotels dining room. More than a few sets of eyes followed him as he walked over to his friends table but thankfully the hotel had managed to keep their profile low and therefore there weren’t multitudes of fans screaming for attention this morning.
“Morning” Andy called as Pete drew closer.
“Hey, how’d you sleep?” Pete asked noting Patrick’s absence from their breakfast gathering.
“Like a baby! We should get sweet hotel rooms all the time” Andy said gobbling down a fruit salad with yogurt.
“Yeah!” Joe agreed fervently munching on some bacon and eggs “This hotel is great! Room service at all hours, fantastic beds, great food and the waitress is even cute!”
“Lucky us!” Pete said with a smile sitting down in between Joe and Andy “…hey where’s Patrick, I thought he was here with you guys?”
“He was but he got up before us so by the time we got our breakfast he was practically finished. Then about a minute after you called he was called to the music festival to do some interviews on our behalf” Andy replied to Pete’s question “You just missed him” Pete sighed watching the empty seat where Patrick would have been sitting disappointedly.
“Hey what’s wrong?”
“Oh I just wanted to talk to Patrick that’s all” Pete said absentmindedly not really paying attention to who he was talking to.
“Well maybe these will help you cheer up” Pete looked up only now realizing the voice he was talking to was rather unfamiliar. Standing behind him was a very pretty girl with light brown hair, nearly blond, and a cute little smile. On one hand she balanced a plate of fresh steaming pancakes and in the other she held toppings. She couldn’t have been taller than Pete and her eyes blinked open, a stunning blue green color shining back at him.
“T-Thanks-” he stuttered, unprepared for the waitress Joe had been talking about, looking quickly to her name tag “Sarah”
“No problem” she replied setting the plate before him along with all the toppings “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“I’d love a cappuccino” Pete replied regaining his cool composure “Two sugars, please”
“Latte please” Joe added as Sarah began scribbling down in her notepad.
“I’ll just have a tea” Andy added to the order “English breakfast with one and a half sugars”
“Sure sweets” she said cheerily “I’ll be right back” She turned around and all the guys watched her walk away silently until she was out of hearing range.
“Dude!” Pete exclaimed pouring maple syrup onto his pancakes “What a hottie!”
“I know” Andy said “We just kept ordering things to keep her here”
“No wonder you asked if you could order me pancakes” Pete said, mouth full as he nudged Joe.
“Nice hair” Andy said eating the last spoonful his breakfast.
“Nice body” Joe agreed.
“Nice eyes” Pete said slowly remembering their sheen “They remind me of something but I can’t think what, god they’re nice though” Pete didn’t notice the playful look that was exchanged between Joe and Andy.
“Her eyes huh?” Andy asked.
“Yeah, come on they were gorgeous” Pete said looking to each of his friends “…what?”
“Dude they’re like Patrick’s!” Joe said laughing a little “We were teasing him about it before he left”
“No really?…well there you go” Pete said quickly looking down at his breakfast as he ate so as not to see their grins widen. A few minutes later Sarah returned with their drinks.
“Here you are guys” Sarah said placing them down “Cappuccino for Peter”
“Call me Pete” he said flashing his pearly white grin.
“Sure Pete” she said her cheeks going a light pink color.
“Tea for Andy” she continued “and latte for Joe”
“Thanks Sarah, you’re my new favorite waitress in the world” Andy said.
“When we come back, only you will do” Joe said sipping his latte.
“If I am still waitressing, it’d be an honor” she giggled as she began to clear the dirty plates “You certainly ate quickly Pete”
“Our concerts only a few hours away, so I thought we’d better get going soon” Pete replied pushing his empty plate towards her. Andy frowned at him.
“Since when are we early to concerts?” Andy asked Pete.
“It’s not just a concert this time it’s a festival and I wanna see what’s going on, see what other bands are playing” Pete answered standing up, coffee in hand “Besides I think Gym Class Heroes are going to be there. Are you guys coming or are you gonna hang out a bit more?”
“Eh we’ll hang out and see you in a few hours. We have to get changed and grab our stuff before we go to the festival. Besides…the fans. Do you really want to be mobbed by the fans for a couple of hours?” Joe replied a skeptic look on his face.
“I don’t mind, I’ll keep a low profile” Pete replied chugging down the coffee.
“Ok well see you on stage” Andy said with a wave.
“Yeah see you there” Pete said picking up his mobile and wallet and shoving them back into his pockets.
“And I’ll see you tonight” Pete said winking at Sarah as he walked away.
“See you at dinner Pete” she replied flushing again.
* * *
“What’s going on?” Patrick whispered into Pete’s ear from behind as they both watched the strange jostling in the crowd spread further.
“I don’t know maybe someone’s causing trouble” Pete said not looking behind him but keeping his eyes on the crowd. More screams sounded and suddenly a voice boomed out over the rest.
“EVERYONE DROP DOWN!” it bellowed followed immediately by a gunshot. Pete started to move backwards again pushing Patrick back into the staff room as people all around dropped like a shockwave had hit them. Parents pulled their screaming kids to the ground, old people moved as fast as they could and at the front of the store the menacing figure came into view. It was a tall heavy built man in a thick black hoodie aiming a pistol at the ceiling. Specific features were lost in a blur as Pete fell backwards into the staff room and Patrick shut the door. Pete leapt back to his feet though his legs were shaking. Patrick was leaning against the door partly to keep it shut in case the man saw their escape and party because his legs too had become like lead with fear. Pete grabbed Patrick by the shirt and pulled him backwards looking around for an escape route.
“Is there a way out Patrick?” Pete asked urgently as the screams in the store continued he yanked Patrick’s shirt again, the material still scrunched in his hand “Patrick!” Patrick snapped to, turning to Pete his face whiter than Pete had ever seen it.
“No, there are no windows or doors. This is just a room where we eat and get changed” He replied shaking “Joe and Andy are still out there!” Pete’s eyes widened and his head snapped back to watching the closed door.
“Fuck” he swore “What the fuck are we going to do?!”
“I don’t know” Patrick said grabbing the wrist that was still holding his shirt and pried it off. He held Pete’s wrist for a moment longer feeling a little more secure from the contact. He realized this must’ve been the reason Pete hadn’t let go. Their hearts raced as they both watched the door, terrified.
“My mobile!” Patrick exclaimed finally releasing Pete’s wrist as he made his way cautiously over to the door. His bag had been dropped as he had moved backwards and Patrick grabbed it retreating back to where Pete was. He rifled through it for a moment before another two gunshots rang out causing them to drop both to the ground. Then they waited, unmoving waiting to hear what the bullets had hit. After a few seconds when no pained cries rang out they decided the attacker must’ve shot at the ceiling again not daring to think worse.
“Got it!” Patrick said pulling his mobile out and flipping it open dialing the police. When no tone came Patrick’s face turned to horror Pete vocalizing the problem.
“There’s no reception in downstairs Borders!”
“You have GOT to be kidding me” Patrick said, more of their luck than of the lack of reception as many times while at Borders mobiles had proved pointless. Pete pulled out his mobile confirming there was indeed no reception where they were.
“Ok we’ve got to do something” Pete said looking at his friend. Patrick’s eyes flickered that strange mixture between blue and green that intrigued Pete so. Whenever this happened and the light struck them just right Pete always made the effort to hold the gaze for as long as possible as he saw this in no-one else’s eyes. They were beautiful, like the treasure one sees in movies glinting and alluring when this happened. Today was an exception; Pete had no time to admire.
“Let’s check it out” Pete said and Patrick nodded. They got up, standing very close together despite the wide room, and began to move towards the door.
“I’ll open it, you check it out” Patrick suggested.
“Ok” Pete agreed. Patrick reached for the doorknob, the metal felt cold and smooth in his shaking hand as he turned it slowly. There was a click and they both jumped. Patrick gave it a tug and Pete looked through the crack in the door. He could see the hooded man shouting orders for the Borders staff to lock all the doors and for the crowds to gather on the far side of the floor, away from the doors. The hood was hiding his face but Pete could tell from the quiver in his voice that this guy was a complete psycho. He moved back a little and Patrick shut the door again. They sat leaning against the door.
“He’s got everyone on the right side of the room and he’s told the Borders guys to lock the doors” Pete whispered. They sat in the quiet of the staff room, the murmurs of everyone outside preventing silence. Patrick pulled a lanyard out from underneath his top and stared at the keys hanging from it.
“What’s that?” Pete asked so quietly Patrick barely heard him. Without looking away from the glinting keys Patrick answered Pete.
“They’re the keys to the doors”
“…Patrick…no” Pete stuttered his stomach twisting anxiously.
“I can do it. I can sneak to one of the doors and get out. I can get help” Patrick said gently looking to Pete.
“No you won’t!” Pete argued but Patrick’s expression, though quite pallid, hardened.
“Yes I can” Patrick retorted and went to stand up. Pete grabbed the lapels of Patrick’s shirt pulling him back down and close to his face.
“No you can’t and no you won’t! We’re staying here and waiting this out!” Pete hissed.
“Pete…what if someone gets hurt? What if someone gets killed when I could have gotten the cops?” Patrick growled in response struggling against Pete’s strong grasp.
“The cops will get here on their own! That psycho has let three shots off already there is no way the cops are not coming right now!” Pete replied his voice was low with dangerous tones “You are not risking yourself to do something like this”
“Get off damn it!”
Both Pete and Patrick froze at the sound of the loud shout that had issued from behind the door.
“Was that…was that Andy?”
* * *
Pete got out of the car and stretched pulling his hoodie over his head briefly admiring the beautiful day. It had been an hour since breakfast and Pete had finally arrived at the music festival. There were already people milling around though Pete knew it wouldn’t really start to get busy till seven or eight pm. They were playing twice today; once at one and again at eight.
“Thanks man, don’t worry I’ll be cool” Pete said to the driver. The driver wished him luck for the day before leaving. Pete strolled casually up to the registration and waited in the line. If he wanted to he could have walked straight to the front as he already had a performers pass, good for pretty much any area of the festival. However in the spirit of keeping a low profile he decided to wait in the line and flash it quickly when he got to the front. Besides it was kind of fun to be amongst the fans their excitement spreading and building the closer they drew to the front.
“In Fall Out Boy? Well…Pete’s pretty hot…” Pete’s ears pricked up at the sound of someone discussing him and the band “But Patrick’s voice is so sexy!” she, whoever she was, said with ecstasy and Pete grinned.
“Well for me it’s all Joe, the way he plays is just awesome!” her friend exclaimed.
“No way Andy is so cute and funny and cool!”
“I just can’t wait to see them play!” another squealed. Just as Pete was about to turn around and reveal his identity he felt a tap on his shoulder.
“How many tickets?” the ticket guy asked absentmindedly and Pete just held out the pass quickly. The guys head shot up and Pete lifted his hood slightly smiling into his face.
“Hey” he said before pulling it back down “Don’t say my name”
“Uh-uh go right on through” the guy stuttered and Pete gave him a nod.
“Thanks” Pete said gratefully walking briskly into the crowds. There were stands with merchandise and food leading all the way to each of the separate stages. There were people running around with posters waiting to be signed and Pete could hear bands rocking out in the near distance. Kids who Pete knew had used fake id cards leant proudly on a thick pole which had one of the many posters for the festival stuck to it. This one had a large picture of the Gym Class Heroes on it. Pete walked on typing a reminder into his mobile to not forget to call Travis and ask to hang out. It had been ages since the two bands had had a night out on the town. He bought a poster and went looking for the signing desks, knowing they’d get a kick out of him asking for their signature. A group of teens ran excitably past.
“Quick! Gym Class Heroes is about to start!” the youngest one shouted and Pete jumped shooting after them a light feeling coming over him. He felt younger, as though he was going to a concert for the first time and there was nothing more important in the world than seeing the band play. He rushed towards stage 2, as the signs read; showing the security guy his pass as he quickly ran by joining the crowd. They were just finishing singing ‘Taxi Driver’ and still the crowds were screaming for more.
“Yo it’s great to be here!!!” Travis shouted out as loud as he could bringing the masses excitement level up another notch “Great day, great crowd and company!” Pete shouted out with everyone else, laughter mixing in with his screams.
“Especially good company because today we have managed to get Patrick out of his Fall Out Boy interviews to sing with us!” Patrick walked out on stage and over to a mike as the crowd went wild clapping and shouting and chanting his name. He waved to the crowd in an almost shy fashion. Pete pondered the fact that Patrick was never the type to make much of himself even though he was something special.
“Patrick!” Pete roared but his voice was muted by the unbelievable noise.
“You see here’s the thing…” Travis said giving Patrick a sideways glance and Patrick smiled back grabbing the mike.
“We have to take our clothes off! And we have to party all night! We have to take our clothes off to have a good time! Oh no!” Patrick sung his voice filling the crowd, the air and the hearts of all that watched as his grin widened and Travis began. Patrick continued to moan and shout every now and then as Travis rapped enthusiastically at the front. Pete laughed at the odd feeling of watching Patrick and the others on stage. It was a strange to call their names and not be heard his voice melting into hundreds of others. Strange to be part of a different kind of joy and bring a different kind of smile to his friends faces. The kind of joy given by many voices for one. He watched Patrick from the distance and listened to girls screaming his name.
Patrick’s voice is so sexy.
Pete’s eyebrow quirked at the theory. Pete always thought Patrick’s voice was awesome, fantastic and even mirthful at times but sexy had not exactly come across his mind before; in not such blunt terms anyway. Despite the many jokes he had made about him and Patrick being intimate he’d never honestly considered it before. Suddenly someone bumped into him and he realized he had actually stopped moving to facilitate his thoughts of Patrick. He frowned a little concentrating hard as the chorus came around. He closed his charcoaled eyes and tried to block everything else out.
“No, no, no. We have to take our clothes off! And we have to party all night, it’s alright! And we have to take our clothes off to have a good time! Oh no!”
“I guess he does have a certain tone…” Pete thought silently, as Patrick moaned, with a shiver that had nothing to do with temperature “The way he sings those high notes…”
Pete’s heart soared as it usually did when Patrick sang though he noted that it was far more uplifting to be standing next to him, or lean on him and feel the vibrations of his voice shoot through their bodies. To have Patrick’s unique and wonderful sound engulf him, wrap him in it and lose himself to it. Pete had a sudden resurgence of the disarming need to be close to Patrick and he opened his eyes taking the scene in as much as he could like a parched man reaching for a glass of water. He looked frantically around but was sadly unable to even get closer to the stage due to the jumping masses. He jumped and threw his hands in the air in time with the beat and Patrick’s voice, the only way to be closer.
* * *
Patrick and Pete once again, as carefully and slowly as possible, opened the door and looked over craning their necks to try and see who it was the armed attacker had. The hooded man was facing away from them and had someone hostage for sure but it wasn’t till an arm flung out that they recognize the tattoo’s as Andy’s. They sat back, not bothering to shut the door, all their thoughts on their friend.
“I have to get out there” Patrick said firmly “His back is to us, I’m going” Pete nodded.
“I’m going with you” he whispered and Patrick nodded trying to hide the relief that flashed briefly on his face. Pete suspected, like him, that Patrick was petrified. Patrick opened the door just wide enough sneak out and then, with both of them holding their breath, he dashed out into the open then behind a shelf. Pete waited heart in his throat only breathing when no sounds followed. He looked over at where Patrick had disappeared to then ran after him ducking behind the same shelf. Patrick caught his arm and pulled him close so he didn’t fall over. Pete smiled at him stifling a gasp mouthing the words ‘thanks’. Then there was a noise, a painfully familiar noise that made the smile slide right off Pete’s face.
Chu-clunck
The hooded man spun around to face the door that had just swung open and hit the wall.
“GET OUT HERE!” he bellowed harshly. Pete and Patrick's bodies went stiff as they heard the man draw closer their blood running cold at his next scream “I SAID GET THE FUCK OUT HERE BEFORE I SHOOT YOU!” he was so near now, only on the other side of the shelf and Pete and Patrick began to shuffle along to the end of the shelf. It wasn’t till he was looking into the staff room that Pete and Patrick jumped behind the next shelf. Pete pulled his legs out of sight then leaned over to Patrick getting so close his lips were almost touching his ear.
“Patrick…in case something bad happens…” Pete’s breath on Patrick’s ear and neck tickled but he didn’t pull away and Pete spoke so gently Patrick could only just hear him “You’re the most important guy in the world to me. I don’t think there is anyone that understands me more completely, no one I enjoy hanging out with more and no-one that I am so comfortable with” he grabbed Patrick’s wrist and squeezed it. Patrick looked down at the hand holding his wrist and then covered it with his own.
“I know” he whispered back “I feel the same way about you Pete” They knew they didn’t need to say it, they had felt it since the day they met and they had been through so much together that at this stage it was more known than anything else. However Pete and Patrick couldn’t ignore the circumstances and the awkwardness of such terms of endearment were lost in the moment. They heard the hooded man stomp back out into the centre of the room dragging Andy along with him, his arm painfully tight around Andy’s neck.
“Did anyone come out of there?!” He bellowed at the cowering crowd. A young girl with tears in her eyes nodded and the man glared at her
“uh huh” she cried.
“Where are they!?” Pete and Patrick leapt as if physically shocked at this development. As the hooded figure was distracted by the girl a figure flew at him from the crowd punching him hard in the face then yanking on his arm in an attempt to release Andy. Patrick and Pete heard the sickening sound of fist smacking cheek and looked around the shelf briefly glad that the little girl seemed fine, a feeling that failed when they realized who the attacker was.
“You fucking punk!” the hooded figure shouted, his voice pitch was high and manic as threw the attacker from him dropping Andy in the process. Andy looked on as the hooded man smacked the attacker with his gun.
“Joe!” Patrick said through gritted teeth, his voice mercifully masked by the screams some of the woman made at the sight of Joe hitting the floor jaw bleeding. He had long since abandoned his costume and was therefore immediately recognizable wearing only the black t-shirt and jeans borders had told him to.
“You think I’m kidding?! This is a hostage situation kid! That means you shut the fuck up and sit still” he screeched as Joe moved backwards on his hands and knees expression as furious as it was anguished “You know what else happens in situations like this, the gunman chooses a victim to show the people that he is not playing games.” He aimed his pistol at Joe “And he wastes this victim” there a persistent murmur of crying from children and adults alike all shielding their eyes and begging whatever god they believed in to let the police break in and end this. However Patrick was unable to look away terror unlike any before traveling like a sickness through his veins.
“Now I was gonna do that guy” he said tilting his head quickly in Andy’s direction “But it looks like you’ve volunteered to take his place” The click of the gun loading seemed to silence everything leaving only Joe’s heavy breathing and the sirens in the distance.
* * *
Pete sat on a bench, hood pulled far over his face not only serving as a identity-protector but a good hiding place for the pout currently controlling his face. After the Gym Class Heroes concert Pete had tried to find Patrick but had lost him in the crowds only managing to catch Travis backstage.
“Come on man you’ll see him in like an hour anyway” Travis had said with a grin after their initial catch up “What’s up with you today anyway, you seem a bit edgy”
“It’s nothing, I’ll probably feel better after the show” Pete said dismissively.
“Yo are you worried about the audience?! Man, they’re sweet as! Don’t worry about it you’ll have them hanging off your every word!” Travis tried to reassure his friend.
“Dude it’s not the audience…ah don’t worry about it. Hey wanna catch up later I know Joe and Andy would love to hang out again” Pete asked tucking the signed Gym Class Heroes poster under his arm.
“Sure, I’ll call you tonight. We’re here till the end of the week” Travis said as he started to walk away.
“So are we! See you later” Pete called starting to walk away himself thinking of what Travis had said. Their show was only about an hour away and Pete knew he had to get to their stage to be briefed on the show. He needed to know what kind of mike he would be wearing, if he needed a touch up on his makeup and double check what songs they were going to play. He began to swiftly make his way there when suddenly a voice and a hand pulled him.
“Whoa hang on there mate, what’s the big rush!”
“Oh god” Pete thought immediately turning his gaze downwards “Not MTV guys”
“Uh..I’m running late for the Fall Out Boy concert” Pete said trying to lower the pitch of his voice so it was less recognizable and turning to leave.
“You don’t have to worry about that, they’re not starting for at least half an hour besides we only have a few questions” The man with a more annoying smile than Pete thought was possible beamed at him.
“Half an hour!?” Pete exclaimed looking at his watch, it was indeed just over half an hour to go much less than he had originally thought.
“This is Vh1” The man began as Pete thought ‘MTV, Vh1 same difference’ “Matt Stanford speaking now what’s your name?” Pete’s brain snapped into motion.
“Lewis” he replied quickly.
“And why are you here today?”
Pete looked into the camera an evil smirk coming across his face. He threw off his hoodie and shouted into the camera lens.
“To rock out bitch!” then pelted away the camera man just as surprised as the interviewer.
“It’s so fun to screw with them!” Pete thought laughing hard and pulling the hoodie back over his face. When Pete actually reached their stage the stadium was already nearly full of frenzied fans and he realized that he would need security for this one. He walked over to the nearest security guard as inconspicuously as he could.
“Um excuse me but I’m a bit late” Pete said to him lifting his hood just enough for the beefy security guard to see his face and he held out his pass “Can you walk me to backstage?”
The security guard hesitated only momentarily before replying with.
“Follow me” Pete did as he was told praying none of the fans would recognize him. They moved quickly along the fence till they reached the locked door in the side of the stage then after the security guard had opened it Pete snuck in.
“Thanks” he shouted over the chanting of ‘fall out boy’ in the back ground and shut the door. Pete walked up the steps leading onto back stage and saw Andy, shirtless, and Joe, guitar in hand, ready to rock.
“What took you so long?!” They asked in unison obviously finding the irony of his lateness amusing.
“I thought you came here early?” Joe continued.
“I did but I got caught up, I ran into Travis and the boys! And then a Vh1 guy tried to interview me when he didn’t even know who I was” Pete explained pulling his guitar out of its case the glossy red and black finish gleaming in the sunlight “And where is Patrick in all this? You make fun of me for being late but he was here before me-”
"They aren’t making fun of me because I even though I actually sung with the Gym Class Heroes and was interviewed by people who knew who i was I was still on time” Pete looked over from where he was kneeling to the source of the voice. There stood Patrick, his ‘I love bingo’ hat placed on top of his head allowing wisps of his hair to fall messily over his face, his t-shirt was a clandestine creation with the green in it bringing out those eyes that were now glinting playfully at him from behind his glasses which had not yet been removed bringing out that part of Patrick that Pete knew best.
* * *
“Joe!” Patrick snarled. It was as though with that one simple word the lower floor of borders had been plunged into a different dimension where time ran slower and nothing seemed quite real. He started moving staggering to his feet as he propelled himself towards the hooded mans back his sweet face contorted with the snarl of that word still in his throat. Pete’s eyes widened as he reached to grab at Patrick but the material of his shirt slipped through Pete’s fingers like air. Pete stumbled to his feet to follow. The hooded man turned, his horrible face only now coming into view – pale and ugly like a gargoyles, his eyes were bloodshot and red and his mouth, the most terrible feature of all, was pulled into a yellow sneer teeth bared. Patrick leapt at him, making to tackle him and the man pulled the gun around. A shot rang out, it’s echo replaced by Patrick’s tuneless, loveless, lifeless cry. Pete watched him fall, blood pouring down his soft back unaware the gun was being turned on him.
“YOU MOTHER FUCKER!” Pete felt himself scream it but he could barely hear it over the sound of his heart beat pounding in his ears. He didn’t see Joe kick the man’s legs which caused him to lose aim and allow Pete to knock him down. He didn’t even notice the warm tears that were streaking down his face as he lay into the guy, fist after fist till his knuckles were raw. His body felt like it was on fire, like it might explode at any second from the sheer fury that burned in every cell in his being. He only stopped for one voice, one cough.
“Pete”
* * *
“Pete?” Patrick asked with a raised eyebrow “Are you ok dude?” Pete stood and started to walk over to Patrick.
* * *
“Patrick?” Pete sniffed looking over at his wounded friend his voice quivering as time began to speed up again. He crawled over, the blood on his hands leaving streaks on the floor. He wiped it off on his pants before turning Patrick over, not wanting to get blood on Patrick despite the blood that was already seeping excessively from Patrick himself. Patrick sobbed as he was turned over.
“Fuck!” Pete swore seeing the extent of the damage “You fuck!” he cried hard holding Patrick tighter and rocking a little “Someone open the doors! Get the ambulance guys in here-DO SOMETHING!” most of the people were in shock just lying on the floor watching having witnessed Pete’s brutal beating of the attacker and now Patrick’s life expiring. Andy however found his feet quickly and, snatching the door keys from Joe, ran to open the doors upstairs. Pete remembered that when someone has been injured pressure should be put on their wound and he quickly lay Patrick back down pulling his own shirt off, folding it and pressing it to the injury. Patrick groaned in pain.
“Stop” he coughed, his voice weak. Pete’s tears began to flow again mixing with his eye shadow sending more black streaks down his cheek and he rested his forehead on Patrick’s.
“Don’t you die lunchbox, don’t you fucking die” Pete swore his voice a mere rough murmur as he draped his arms over Patrick in a protective manner.
“Pete, keep going. Don’t ever stop. You can make it. I believe you can do it” Pete heard Patrick’s cracked voice say and a hand grabbed the back of his neck “Do…it for...me ok?” Pete moaned his breathing irregular with gasps and whimpers escaping his wet lips.
“Peter, please” Patrick begged as his eyes started to gloss over. Then the hand on Pete’s neck pulled his face closer causing their lip to meet. Pete’s wet eyes closed and after a moment of lingering on Patrick’s soft lips he kissed deeper trying to find comfort or the promise that this would not be the last. All he could taste was blood and tears. He could hear the police and ambulance people bolting down the elevator stairs as the pressure on the back of his neck went slack as Patrick’s hand fell away. Pete broke the kiss and sat up a bit, still leaning on Patrick’s chest.
“Patrick? Patrick!” Pete shouted shaking Patrick’s now still form, trying to give it motion, trying desperately to give it life “PATRICK!”
* * *
“Patrick!” Pete said speeding his walk to a run and half tackled Patrick, Patrick only just keeping his balance as they spun around. Pete pulled his arms around Patrick’s shoulders nuzzling his head on the nape of Patrick’s neck. He breathed deep the fresh smell of summer that seemed to be a part of Patrick and rubbed a hand against his back where no wound bled “I had the most real and terrifying dream last night” he let go of Patrick but didn’t move away feeling suddenly choked up “I dreamt you died and there was nothing I could do to save you”. Pete didn’t however tell Patrick about the way this dream had torn him in two, making Patrick seem far too mortal. How it had made him long so completely for his friends company on the one day he couldn’t seem to give it to him. Or the pure joy that he felt to hear him sing and to know that that sound, that amazing sound sprung from an amazing friend was not gone forever. Patrick looked surprised at the pale and serious expression on Pete’s face. He reached out and put a warm hand on Pete’s shoulder.
“It was just a dream Pete, I promise I won’t die anytime soon ok?” Patrick said softly “Are you ok to go on?” Pete mimicked Patrick’s action putting his hands on Patrick’s shoulders.
“Always” he replied regaining his composure just glad to be near Patrick.
“Was I in it?” Andy’s voice floated over from behind.
“Yeah, you were even a hostage for a little while” Pete answered looking behind.
“What about me?” Joe asked joining Pete and Patrick.
“You were great man! You saved Andy” Pete replied with a grin “Though I think you might’ve gotten a broken jaw for it”
“Intense” Joe said with a proud smirk.
“So how did I off it anyway?” Patrick asked sensing the mood was sufficiently light enough as they lined up waiting to be called.
“You were shot by the guy who was holding Borders hostage” Pete answered.
“Seriously?”
“Yeah I think it was supposed to be like back when you worked at Borders and it was on the day one of the Harry Potter books was released so it was mad busy, prefect for a hostage situation I guess” Pete explained “And just as you were about to finish your shift and we would get a cup of coffee the bastard came blazing in telling everyone to drop to the floor and shit. It was really scary”
“Sounds like a good story line for a movie” Andy said thoughtfully as a guy with headphones came over to them.
“Ok boys you’re on in five…four…”
“Nah I don’t think audiences would appreciate the guy on guy action as much as me” Pete said casually.
“Dude you have the weirdest dreams” Joe laughed.
“GO!”
Epilogue
Pete dragged his sorry ass into his bedroom shutting the door behind him, the clock on his bedside table informing him that it was 4:00 in the morning. Finally coming down from the high of the two exceptionally successful concerts of that day he fell onto his bed exhausted. With no energy to get changed he took off his belt, shirt and shoes and threw them into the corner. Then slithered under the clovers wincing with the thought of the hangover he would have tomorrow. To celebrate their popularity at the festival they, with Travis and the others, had gone on the most inebriating bar crawl he’d ever been on. He had apologized profusely to Sarah on arriving back for missing dinner when he promised to be home and had given her a kiss on the cheek to make up for it. When he had reached his floor he bid his friends goodnight and staggered down the hall to his room. Now as he lay in bed though the crushing tiredness weighing down on him he couldn’t sleep. He lay there between the covers in the dark, his eyes closed waiting and wishing for sleep to take him images of Patrick’s bloody body in his arms flashing through his mind. He was coming down harder than he thought and he wondered if he would sleep at all. Just then he felt a hand push him and he groggily lifted the front of his torso up.
“Shove over” the voice said and Pete did as he was told feeling the covers being lifted then placed back down.
“Patrick?” Pete asked blearily.
“You dropped your keys outside the door” Patrick explained yawning.
“I didn’t even hear you come in” Pete said.
“I’m silent like a ninja you know that” Patrick replied with a titter “Now go to sleep” Pete looked through the dark silently a soft grin spreading his lips before his lowered himself back down onto the bed.
“No nightmare’s for you tonight young man” Patrick said.
“Goodnight Lunchbox” Pete said sleepily.
“Goodnight Peter Pan”
All of Pete’s senses snapped to attention at once like a shock running up his spine and he raked in a ragged gasp. He sat bolt up and looked around, disoriented, as his heart thumped painfully against his ribcage. Quick breathing sounded almost like whimpers in the sparse hotel room. It was like every nerve in his body was twitching with anxiety. After a few more minutes of silence, punctured only by his slowing gasps, Pete closed a hand over his slightly damp face finally recognizing his surroundings. His eyes slid shut and he fell back onto the soft bed relief beginning to flood his system.
“Oh thank god…” he groaned, a small smile forming on his lips despite the residual squeezing his heart was being subjected to. The hotel room, though sparse, was nothing less than plush as he and the other members of the touring band had decided that in this city they would live it up by taking separate lavish rooms. Pete looked over to the clock on his bedside table. The glowing digital numbers read as 9:30am giving him a few hours before the music festival they were playing at began. Deciding to take advantage of the fact that he was far more awake than was usual at this time of morning he threw off the covers and stood up. Pete then walked over to his suitcase, which was resting on a chair, and flipped the lid open. As he searched through the contents of his suitcase for a good outfit Pete did not feel his unease fade like he thought it would. In fact at this point in time he wanted nothing more than to hang out with his friends. Finally he decided on a new clandestine shirt, dark denim jeans and sneakers then inspected himself in the mirror. Giving his hair a quick tousle, his black eye shadow still lingering nicely from the day before, he completed the look. Pete grabbed his wallet and mobile off the dresser and made his way over to the door pressing speed dial one as he went.
There were a few tones before Joe picked up.
“Hey” he said with a yawn.
“Hey Joe, what are you guys doing?” Pete asked now leaving his hotel room and locking the door behind him.
“We’re having breakfast in the dining room” Joe answered “Want me to order something for you, like pancakes with maple syrup?”
“Yum, make it so number one” Pete could almost hear Joe rolling his eyes over the phone.
“What did I say about using obscure TV references dude?”
Pete grinned and chuckled a little.
“Can I talk to rickster?” he began then quickly continued with “Ah never mind, I’ll be down in a minute anyway”
“Ok” Joe said before hanging up. Pete pressed the button for the elevator and then waited impatiently for it to come. He was beginning to feel hunger creeping into his stomach as the elevator arrived opening with a friendly ping noise. Pete got on and pressed the button for the second floor and a sweet woman’s voice informed him that that was option he had chosen. He leaned into one of the corners of the elevator as it slowly descended. The nagging need to be with his friends grew stronger and he looked up to the ceiling noticing a tiny camera in the corner.
“It was just a dream” he said as though assuring the camera of that fact “Just a bad dream…” All the same Pete knew he wouldn’t feel better until he’d at least had breakfast with his band mates.
* * *
“I didn’t know Snape had strawberry blond hair or thick rimmed glasses” Pete sniggered at the black robed figure that was walking towards him “You’re a lot smaller than I pictured too”
“You ought to talk” Patrick said in reply from under his wide rimmed wizard’s hat stifling a smirk “Besides, oh short one, I’m Harry”
“Oh I see, well that makes the costume much more believable” Pete replied as a group of little kids ran past squealing spells and the name of the newest Harry Potter book being released that day.
“Where’s Joe – I mean Dumbledore?” Pete said scanning the faces of the many exited fans that were lining up, crowding around and generally filling up the lower floor of the popular bookstore.
“Over there” Patrick replied jabbing a thumb in the direction of a Dumbledore that appeared to be trying, in vain, to hide behind a shelf “Andy’s here too somewhere, I lost track of him about an hour ago”
“I wonder if they’re enjoying this as much as you, Patrick Potter”
“Oh I doubt it, besides” Patrick added with a mischievous smile spreading across the length of his lips “Joe’s about to start the ‘handing out’ part of his shift where as I am about to end my shift for the day”
“It’s only one o’clock!” Pete shouted happily, checking his watch.
“I started at seven” Patrick said flatly and it was only now that Pete began to notice the tiredness in his friends green eyes.
“Praise Borders for turning you lose early then!” Pete exclaimed excitably patting Patrick on the back “Why don’t you go get changed and I’ll wait for you here. We can get a coffee and relax and talk about a new song idea!”
“So this is what this is about” Patrick said cheerily “You couldn’t wait till later to tell me about a new song idea”
“Aww come on, can’t a friend buy another friend a coffee without being accused of having an ulterior motive?” Pete feigned offence, following Patrick till he slipped into the Borders staff room.
“What’s the name?” Patrick said before he went in, leaving the door slightly ajar.
“The Morning After the Night Before” Pete leaned close to the gap and answered, his enthusiasm for the new song idea distracting him from the commotion that was beginning to take place at the front of the store.
“How does it go?” Patrick asked from the other side of the door.
“Well I’m not really sure of the tune but the lyrics go ‘As I lay me down to sleep, I wish I had a soul to keep, but all I have are these long wasted hours. Better the devil you know, but I think I know mine far too well, keeps me in my own personal hell, some dreams are worth the faking…” Pete’s voice died out as his eyes caught sight of people being shoved around on the other side of the store and the sound level grew louder.
“Yeah and?” Patrick said unaware of what was going on “Pete?” Suddenly a woman screamed grabbing Patrick’s attention. He opened the door but Pete had backed up a bit and was now nearly leaning on Patrick an almost instinctive fear spreading through his body. Something wasn’t right.
* * *
“Second floor” the woman’s voice beamed “Have a nice day”
Pete walked out of the elevator, down a corridor and into the hotels dining room. More than a few sets of eyes followed him as he walked over to his friends table but thankfully the hotel had managed to keep their profile low and therefore there weren’t multitudes of fans screaming for attention this morning.
“Morning” Andy called as Pete drew closer.
“Hey, how’d you sleep?” Pete asked noting Patrick’s absence from their breakfast gathering.
“Like a baby! We should get sweet hotel rooms all the time” Andy said gobbling down a fruit salad with yogurt.
“Yeah!” Joe agreed fervently munching on some bacon and eggs “This hotel is great! Room service at all hours, fantastic beds, great food and the waitress is even cute!”
“Lucky us!” Pete said with a smile sitting down in between Joe and Andy “…hey where’s Patrick, I thought he was here with you guys?”
“He was but he got up before us so by the time we got our breakfast he was practically finished. Then about a minute after you called he was called to the music festival to do some interviews on our behalf” Andy replied to Pete’s question “You just missed him” Pete sighed watching the empty seat where Patrick would have been sitting disappointedly.
“Hey what’s wrong?”
“Oh I just wanted to talk to Patrick that’s all” Pete said absentmindedly not really paying attention to who he was talking to.
“Well maybe these will help you cheer up” Pete looked up only now realizing the voice he was talking to was rather unfamiliar. Standing behind him was a very pretty girl with light brown hair, nearly blond, and a cute little smile. On one hand she balanced a plate of fresh steaming pancakes and in the other she held toppings. She couldn’t have been taller than Pete and her eyes blinked open, a stunning blue green color shining back at him.
“T-Thanks-” he stuttered, unprepared for the waitress Joe had been talking about, looking quickly to her name tag “Sarah”
“No problem” she replied setting the plate before him along with all the toppings “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“I’d love a cappuccino” Pete replied regaining his cool composure “Two sugars, please”
“Latte please” Joe added as Sarah began scribbling down in her notepad.
“I’ll just have a tea” Andy added to the order “English breakfast with one and a half sugars”
“Sure sweets” she said cheerily “I’ll be right back” She turned around and all the guys watched her walk away silently until she was out of hearing range.
“Dude!” Pete exclaimed pouring maple syrup onto his pancakes “What a hottie!”
“I know” Andy said “We just kept ordering things to keep her here”
“No wonder you asked if you could order me pancakes” Pete said, mouth full as he nudged Joe.
“Nice hair” Andy said eating the last spoonful his breakfast.
“Nice body” Joe agreed.
“Nice eyes” Pete said slowly remembering their sheen “They remind me of something but I can’t think what, god they’re nice though” Pete didn’t notice the playful look that was exchanged between Joe and Andy.
“Her eyes huh?” Andy asked.
“Yeah, come on they were gorgeous” Pete said looking to each of his friends “…what?”
“Dude they’re like Patrick’s!” Joe said laughing a little “We were teasing him about it before he left”
“No really?…well there you go” Pete said quickly looking down at his breakfast as he ate so as not to see their grins widen. A few minutes later Sarah returned with their drinks.
“Here you are guys” Sarah said placing them down “Cappuccino for Peter”
“Call me Pete” he said flashing his pearly white grin.
“Sure Pete” she said her cheeks going a light pink color.
“Tea for Andy” she continued “and latte for Joe”
“Thanks Sarah, you’re my new favorite waitress in the world” Andy said.
“When we come back, only you will do” Joe said sipping his latte.
“If I am still waitressing, it’d be an honor” she giggled as she began to clear the dirty plates “You certainly ate quickly Pete”
“Our concerts only a few hours away, so I thought we’d better get going soon” Pete replied pushing his empty plate towards her. Andy frowned at him.
“Since when are we early to concerts?” Andy asked Pete.
“It’s not just a concert this time it’s a festival and I wanna see what’s going on, see what other bands are playing” Pete answered standing up, coffee in hand “Besides I think Gym Class Heroes are going to be there. Are you guys coming or are you gonna hang out a bit more?”
“Eh we’ll hang out and see you in a few hours. We have to get changed and grab our stuff before we go to the festival. Besides…the fans. Do you really want to be mobbed by the fans for a couple of hours?” Joe replied a skeptic look on his face.
“I don’t mind, I’ll keep a low profile” Pete replied chugging down the coffee.
“Ok well see you on stage” Andy said with a wave.
“Yeah see you there” Pete said picking up his mobile and wallet and shoving them back into his pockets.
“And I’ll see you tonight” Pete said winking at Sarah as he walked away.
“See you at dinner Pete” she replied flushing again.
* * *
“What’s going on?” Patrick whispered into Pete’s ear from behind as they both watched the strange jostling in the crowd spread further.
“I don’t know maybe someone’s causing trouble” Pete said not looking behind him but keeping his eyes on the crowd. More screams sounded and suddenly a voice boomed out over the rest.
“EVERYONE DROP DOWN!” it bellowed followed immediately by a gunshot. Pete started to move backwards again pushing Patrick back into the staff room as people all around dropped like a shockwave had hit them. Parents pulled their screaming kids to the ground, old people moved as fast as they could and at the front of the store the menacing figure came into view. It was a tall heavy built man in a thick black hoodie aiming a pistol at the ceiling. Specific features were lost in a blur as Pete fell backwards into the staff room and Patrick shut the door. Pete leapt back to his feet though his legs were shaking. Patrick was leaning against the door partly to keep it shut in case the man saw their escape and party because his legs too had become like lead with fear. Pete grabbed Patrick by the shirt and pulled him backwards looking around for an escape route.
“Is there a way out Patrick?” Pete asked urgently as the screams in the store continued he yanked Patrick’s shirt again, the material still scrunched in his hand “Patrick!” Patrick snapped to, turning to Pete his face whiter than Pete had ever seen it.
“No, there are no windows or doors. This is just a room where we eat and get changed” He replied shaking “Joe and Andy are still out there!” Pete’s eyes widened and his head snapped back to watching the closed door.
“Fuck” he swore “What the fuck are we going to do?!”
“I don’t know” Patrick said grabbing the wrist that was still holding his shirt and pried it off. He held Pete’s wrist for a moment longer feeling a little more secure from the contact. He realized this must’ve been the reason Pete hadn’t let go. Their hearts raced as they both watched the door, terrified.
“My mobile!” Patrick exclaimed finally releasing Pete’s wrist as he made his way cautiously over to the door. His bag had been dropped as he had moved backwards and Patrick grabbed it retreating back to where Pete was. He rifled through it for a moment before another two gunshots rang out causing them to drop both to the ground. Then they waited, unmoving waiting to hear what the bullets had hit. After a few seconds when no pained cries rang out they decided the attacker must’ve shot at the ceiling again not daring to think worse.
“Got it!” Patrick said pulling his mobile out and flipping it open dialing the police. When no tone came Patrick’s face turned to horror Pete vocalizing the problem.
“There’s no reception in downstairs Borders!”
“You have GOT to be kidding me” Patrick said, more of their luck than of the lack of reception as many times while at Borders mobiles had proved pointless. Pete pulled out his mobile confirming there was indeed no reception where they were.
“Ok we’ve got to do something” Pete said looking at his friend. Patrick’s eyes flickered that strange mixture between blue and green that intrigued Pete so. Whenever this happened and the light struck them just right Pete always made the effort to hold the gaze for as long as possible as he saw this in no-one else’s eyes. They were beautiful, like the treasure one sees in movies glinting and alluring when this happened. Today was an exception; Pete had no time to admire.
“Let’s check it out” Pete said and Patrick nodded. They got up, standing very close together despite the wide room, and began to move towards the door.
“I’ll open it, you check it out” Patrick suggested.
“Ok” Pete agreed. Patrick reached for the doorknob, the metal felt cold and smooth in his shaking hand as he turned it slowly. There was a click and they both jumped. Patrick gave it a tug and Pete looked through the crack in the door. He could see the hooded man shouting orders for the Borders staff to lock all the doors and for the crowds to gather on the far side of the floor, away from the doors. The hood was hiding his face but Pete could tell from the quiver in his voice that this guy was a complete psycho. He moved back a little and Patrick shut the door again. They sat leaning against the door.
“He’s got everyone on the right side of the room and he’s told the Borders guys to lock the doors” Pete whispered. They sat in the quiet of the staff room, the murmurs of everyone outside preventing silence. Patrick pulled a lanyard out from underneath his top and stared at the keys hanging from it.
“What’s that?” Pete asked so quietly Patrick barely heard him. Without looking away from the glinting keys Patrick answered Pete.
“They’re the keys to the doors”
“…Patrick…no” Pete stuttered his stomach twisting anxiously.
“I can do it. I can sneak to one of the doors and get out. I can get help” Patrick said gently looking to Pete.
“No you won’t!” Pete argued but Patrick’s expression, though quite pallid, hardened.
“Yes I can” Patrick retorted and went to stand up. Pete grabbed the lapels of Patrick’s shirt pulling him back down and close to his face.
“No you can’t and no you won’t! We’re staying here and waiting this out!” Pete hissed.
“Pete…what if someone gets hurt? What if someone gets killed when I could have gotten the cops?” Patrick growled in response struggling against Pete’s strong grasp.
“The cops will get here on their own! That psycho has let three shots off already there is no way the cops are not coming right now!” Pete replied his voice was low with dangerous tones “You are not risking yourself to do something like this”
“Get off damn it!”
Both Pete and Patrick froze at the sound of the loud shout that had issued from behind the door.
“Was that…was that Andy?”
* * *
Pete got out of the car and stretched pulling his hoodie over his head briefly admiring the beautiful day. It had been an hour since breakfast and Pete had finally arrived at the music festival. There were already people milling around though Pete knew it wouldn’t really start to get busy till seven or eight pm. They were playing twice today; once at one and again at eight.
“Thanks man, don’t worry I’ll be cool” Pete said to the driver. The driver wished him luck for the day before leaving. Pete strolled casually up to the registration and waited in the line. If he wanted to he could have walked straight to the front as he already had a performers pass, good for pretty much any area of the festival. However in the spirit of keeping a low profile he decided to wait in the line and flash it quickly when he got to the front. Besides it was kind of fun to be amongst the fans their excitement spreading and building the closer they drew to the front.
“In Fall Out Boy? Well…Pete’s pretty hot…” Pete’s ears pricked up at the sound of someone discussing him and the band “But Patrick’s voice is so sexy!” she, whoever she was, said with ecstasy and Pete grinned.
“Well for me it’s all Joe, the way he plays is just awesome!” her friend exclaimed.
“No way Andy is so cute and funny and cool!”
“I just can’t wait to see them play!” another squealed. Just as Pete was about to turn around and reveal his identity he felt a tap on his shoulder.
“How many tickets?” the ticket guy asked absentmindedly and Pete just held out the pass quickly. The guys head shot up and Pete lifted his hood slightly smiling into his face.
“Hey” he said before pulling it back down “Don’t say my name”
“Uh-uh go right on through” the guy stuttered and Pete gave him a nod.
“Thanks” Pete said gratefully walking briskly into the crowds. There were stands with merchandise and food leading all the way to each of the separate stages. There were people running around with posters waiting to be signed and Pete could hear bands rocking out in the near distance. Kids who Pete knew had used fake id cards leant proudly on a thick pole which had one of the many posters for the festival stuck to it. This one had a large picture of the Gym Class Heroes on it. Pete walked on typing a reminder into his mobile to not forget to call Travis and ask to hang out. It had been ages since the two bands had had a night out on the town. He bought a poster and went looking for the signing desks, knowing they’d get a kick out of him asking for their signature. A group of teens ran excitably past.
“Quick! Gym Class Heroes is about to start!” the youngest one shouted and Pete jumped shooting after them a light feeling coming over him. He felt younger, as though he was going to a concert for the first time and there was nothing more important in the world than seeing the band play. He rushed towards stage 2, as the signs read; showing the security guy his pass as he quickly ran by joining the crowd. They were just finishing singing ‘Taxi Driver’ and still the crowds were screaming for more.
“Yo it’s great to be here!!!” Travis shouted out as loud as he could bringing the masses excitement level up another notch “Great day, great crowd and company!” Pete shouted out with everyone else, laughter mixing in with his screams.
“Especially good company because today we have managed to get Patrick out of his Fall Out Boy interviews to sing with us!” Patrick walked out on stage and over to a mike as the crowd went wild clapping and shouting and chanting his name. He waved to the crowd in an almost shy fashion. Pete pondered the fact that Patrick was never the type to make much of himself even though he was something special.
“Patrick!” Pete roared but his voice was muted by the unbelievable noise.
“You see here’s the thing…” Travis said giving Patrick a sideways glance and Patrick smiled back grabbing the mike.
“We have to take our clothes off! And we have to party all night! We have to take our clothes off to have a good time! Oh no!” Patrick sung his voice filling the crowd, the air and the hearts of all that watched as his grin widened and Travis began. Patrick continued to moan and shout every now and then as Travis rapped enthusiastically at the front. Pete laughed at the odd feeling of watching Patrick and the others on stage. It was a strange to call their names and not be heard his voice melting into hundreds of others. Strange to be part of a different kind of joy and bring a different kind of smile to his friends faces. The kind of joy given by many voices for one. He watched Patrick from the distance and listened to girls screaming his name.
Patrick’s voice is so sexy.
Pete’s eyebrow quirked at the theory. Pete always thought Patrick’s voice was awesome, fantastic and even mirthful at times but sexy had not exactly come across his mind before; in not such blunt terms anyway. Despite the many jokes he had made about him and Patrick being intimate he’d never honestly considered it before. Suddenly someone bumped into him and he realized he had actually stopped moving to facilitate his thoughts of Patrick. He frowned a little concentrating hard as the chorus came around. He closed his charcoaled eyes and tried to block everything else out.
“No, no, no. We have to take our clothes off! And we have to party all night, it’s alright! And we have to take our clothes off to have a good time! Oh no!”
“I guess he does have a certain tone…” Pete thought silently, as Patrick moaned, with a shiver that had nothing to do with temperature “The way he sings those high notes…”
Pete’s heart soared as it usually did when Patrick sang though he noted that it was far more uplifting to be standing next to him, or lean on him and feel the vibrations of his voice shoot through their bodies. To have Patrick’s unique and wonderful sound engulf him, wrap him in it and lose himself to it. Pete had a sudden resurgence of the disarming need to be close to Patrick and he opened his eyes taking the scene in as much as he could like a parched man reaching for a glass of water. He looked frantically around but was sadly unable to even get closer to the stage due to the jumping masses. He jumped and threw his hands in the air in time with the beat and Patrick’s voice, the only way to be closer.
* * *
Patrick and Pete once again, as carefully and slowly as possible, opened the door and looked over craning their necks to try and see who it was the armed attacker had. The hooded man was facing away from them and had someone hostage for sure but it wasn’t till an arm flung out that they recognize the tattoo’s as Andy’s. They sat back, not bothering to shut the door, all their thoughts on their friend.
“I have to get out there” Patrick said firmly “His back is to us, I’m going” Pete nodded.
“I’m going with you” he whispered and Patrick nodded trying to hide the relief that flashed briefly on his face. Pete suspected, like him, that Patrick was petrified. Patrick opened the door just wide enough sneak out and then, with both of them holding their breath, he dashed out into the open then behind a shelf. Pete waited heart in his throat only breathing when no sounds followed. He looked over at where Patrick had disappeared to then ran after him ducking behind the same shelf. Patrick caught his arm and pulled him close so he didn’t fall over. Pete smiled at him stifling a gasp mouthing the words ‘thanks’. Then there was a noise, a painfully familiar noise that made the smile slide right off Pete’s face.
Chu-clunck
The hooded man spun around to face the door that had just swung open and hit the wall.
“GET OUT HERE!” he bellowed harshly. Pete and Patrick's bodies went stiff as they heard the man draw closer their blood running cold at his next scream “I SAID GET THE FUCK OUT HERE BEFORE I SHOOT YOU!” he was so near now, only on the other side of the shelf and Pete and Patrick began to shuffle along to the end of the shelf. It wasn’t till he was looking into the staff room that Pete and Patrick jumped behind the next shelf. Pete pulled his legs out of sight then leaned over to Patrick getting so close his lips were almost touching his ear.
“Patrick…in case something bad happens…” Pete’s breath on Patrick’s ear and neck tickled but he didn’t pull away and Pete spoke so gently Patrick could only just hear him “You’re the most important guy in the world to me. I don’t think there is anyone that understands me more completely, no one I enjoy hanging out with more and no-one that I am so comfortable with” he grabbed Patrick’s wrist and squeezed it. Patrick looked down at the hand holding his wrist and then covered it with his own.
“I know” he whispered back “I feel the same way about you Pete” They knew they didn’t need to say it, they had felt it since the day they met and they had been through so much together that at this stage it was more known than anything else. However Pete and Patrick couldn’t ignore the circumstances and the awkwardness of such terms of endearment were lost in the moment. They heard the hooded man stomp back out into the centre of the room dragging Andy along with him, his arm painfully tight around Andy’s neck.
“Did anyone come out of there?!” He bellowed at the cowering crowd. A young girl with tears in her eyes nodded and the man glared at her
“uh huh” she cried.
“Where are they!?” Pete and Patrick leapt as if physically shocked at this development. As the hooded figure was distracted by the girl a figure flew at him from the crowd punching him hard in the face then yanking on his arm in an attempt to release Andy. Patrick and Pete heard the sickening sound of fist smacking cheek and looked around the shelf briefly glad that the little girl seemed fine, a feeling that failed when they realized who the attacker was.
“You fucking punk!” the hooded figure shouted, his voice pitch was high and manic as threw the attacker from him dropping Andy in the process. Andy looked on as the hooded man smacked the attacker with his gun.
“Joe!” Patrick said through gritted teeth, his voice mercifully masked by the screams some of the woman made at the sight of Joe hitting the floor jaw bleeding. He had long since abandoned his costume and was therefore immediately recognizable wearing only the black t-shirt and jeans borders had told him to.
“You think I’m kidding?! This is a hostage situation kid! That means you shut the fuck up and sit still” he screeched as Joe moved backwards on his hands and knees expression as furious as it was anguished “You know what else happens in situations like this, the gunman chooses a victim to show the people that he is not playing games.” He aimed his pistol at Joe “And he wastes this victim” there a persistent murmur of crying from children and adults alike all shielding their eyes and begging whatever god they believed in to let the police break in and end this. However Patrick was unable to look away terror unlike any before traveling like a sickness through his veins.
“Now I was gonna do that guy” he said tilting his head quickly in Andy’s direction “But it looks like you’ve volunteered to take his place” The click of the gun loading seemed to silence everything leaving only Joe’s heavy breathing and the sirens in the distance.
* * *
Pete sat on a bench, hood pulled far over his face not only serving as a identity-protector but a good hiding place for the pout currently controlling his face. After the Gym Class Heroes concert Pete had tried to find Patrick but had lost him in the crowds only managing to catch Travis backstage.
“Come on man you’ll see him in like an hour anyway” Travis had said with a grin after their initial catch up “What’s up with you today anyway, you seem a bit edgy”
“It’s nothing, I’ll probably feel better after the show” Pete said dismissively.
“Yo are you worried about the audience?! Man, they’re sweet as! Don’t worry about it you’ll have them hanging off your every word!” Travis tried to reassure his friend.
“Dude it’s not the audience…ah don’t worry about it. Hey wanna catch up later I know Joe and Andy would love to hang out again” Pete asked tucking the signed Gym Class Heroes poster under his arm.
“Sure, I’ll call you tonight. We’re here till the end of the week” Travis said as he started to walk away.
“So are we! See you later” Pete called starting to walk away himself thinking of what Travis had said. Their show was only about an hour away and Pete knew he had to get to their stage to be briefed on the show. He needed to know what kind of mike he would be wearing, if he needed a touch up on his makeup and double check what songs they were going to play. He began to swiftly make his way there when suddenly a voice and a hand pulled him.
“Whoa hang on there mate, what’s the big rush!”
“Oh god” Pete thought immediately turning his gaze downwards “Not MTV guys”
“Uh..I’m running late for the Fall Out Boy concert” Pete said trying to lower the pitch of his voice so it was less recognizable and turning to leave.
“You don’t have to worry about that, they’re not starting for at least half an hour besides we only have a few questions” The man with a more annoying smile than Pete thought was possible beamed at him.
“Half an hour!?” Pete exclaimed looking at his watch, it was indeed just over half an hour to go much less than he had originally thought.
“This is Vh1” The man began as Pete thought ‘MTV, Vh1 same difference’ “Matt Stanford speaking now what’s your name?” Pete’s brain snapped into motion.
“Lewis” he replied quickly.
“And why are you here today?”
Pete looked into the camera an evil smirk coming across his face. He threw off his hoodie and shouted into the camera lens.
“To rock out bitch!” then pelted away the camera man just as surprised as the interviewer.
“It’s so fun to screw with them!” Pete thought laughing hard and pulling the hoodie back over his face. When Pete actually reached their stage the stadium was already nearly full of frenzied fans and he realized that he would need security for this one. He walked over to the nearest security guard as inconspicuously as he could.
“Um excuse me but I’m a bit late” Pete said to him lifting his hood just enough for the beefy security guard to see his face and he held out his pass “Can you walk me to backstage?”
The security guard hesitated only momentarily before replying with.
“Follow me” Pete did as he was told praying none of the fans would recognize him. They moved quickly along the fence till they reached the locked door in the side of the stage then after the security guard had opened it Pete snuck in.
“Thanks” he shouted over the chanting of ‘fall out boy’ in the back ground and shut the door. Pete walked up the steps leading onto back stage and saw Andy, shirtless, and Joe, guitar in hand, ready to rock.
“What took you so long?!” They asked in unison obviously finding the irony of his lateness amusing.
“I thought you came here early?” Joe continued.
“I did but I got caught up, I ran into Travis and the boys! And then a Vh1 guy tried to interview me when he didn’t even know who I was” Pete explained pulling his guitar out of its case the glossy red and black finish gleaming in the sunlight “And where is Patrick in all this? You make fun of me for being late but he was here before me-”
"They aren’t making fun of me because I even though I actually sung with the Gym Class Heroes and was interviewed by people who knew who i was I was still on time” Pete looked over from where he was kneeling to the source of the voice. There stood Patrick, his ‘I love bingo’ hat placed on top of his head allowing wisps of his hair to fall messily over his face, his t-shirt was a clandestine creation with the green in it bringing out those eyes that were now glinting playfully at him from behind his glasses which had not yet been removed bringing out that part of Patrick that Pete knew best.
* * *
“Joe!” Patrick snarled. It was as though with that one simple word the lower floor of borders had been plunged into a different dimension where time ran slower and nothing seemed quite real. He started moving staggering to his feet as he propelled himself towards the hooded mans back his sweet face contorted with the snarl of that word still in his throat. Pete’s eyes widened as he reached to grab at Patrick but the material of his shirt slipped through Pete’s fingers like air. Pete stumbled to his feet to follow. The hooded man turned, his horrible face only now coming into view – pale and ugly like a gargoyles, his eyes were bloodshot and red and his mouth, the most terrible feature of all, was pulled into a yellow sneer teeth bared. Patrick leapt at him, making to tackle him and the man pulled the gun around. A shot rang out, it’s echo replaced by Patrick’s tuneless, loveless, lifeless cry. Pete watched him fall, blood pouring down his soft back unaware the gun was being turned on him.
“YOU MOTHER FUCKER!” Pete felt himself scream it but he could barely hear it over the sound of his heart beat pounding in his ears. He didn’t see Joe kick the man’s legs which caused him to lose aim and allow Pete to knock him down. He didn’t even notice the warm tears that were streaking down his face as he lay into the guy, fist after fist till his knuckles were raw. His body felt like it was on fire, like it might explode at any second from the sheer fury that burned in every cell in his being. He only stopped for one voice, one cough.
“Pete”
* * *
“Pete?” Patrick asked with a raised eyebrow “Are you ok dude?” Pete stood and started to walk over to Patrick.
* * *
“Patrick?” Pete sniffed looking over at his wounded friend his voice quivering as time began to speed up again. He crawled over, the blood on his hands leaving streaks on the floor. He wiped it off on his pants before turning Patrick over, not wanting to get blood on Patrick despite the blood that was already seeping excessively from Patrick himself. Patrick sobbed as he was turned over.
“Fuck!” Pete swore seeing the extent of the damage “You fuck!” he cried hard holding Patrick tighter and rocking a little “Someone open the doors! Get the ambulance guys in here-DO SOMETHING!” most of the people were in shock just lying on the floor watching having witnessed Pete’s brutal beating of the attacker and now Patrick’s life expiring. Andy however found his feet quickly and, snatching the door keys from Joe, ran to open the doors upstairs. Pete remembered that when someone has been injured pressure should be put on their wound and he quickly lay Patrick back down pulling his own shirt off, folding it and pressing it to the injury. Patrick groaned in pain.
“Stop” he coughed, his voice weak. Pete’s tears began to flow again mixing with his eye shadow sending more black streaks down his cheek and he rested his forehead on Patrick’s.
“Don’t you die lunchbox, don’t you fucking die” Pete swore his voice a mere rough murmur as he draped his arms over Patrick in a protective manner.
“Pete, keep going. Don’t ever stop. You can make it. I believe you can do it” Pete heard Patrick’s cracked voice say and a hand grabbed the back of his neck “Do…it for...me ok?” Pete moaned his breathing irregular with gasps and whimpers escaping his wet lips.
“Peter, please” Patrick begged as his eyes started to gloss over. Then the hand on Pete’s neck pulled his face closer causing their lip to meet. Pete’s wet eyes closed and after a moment of lingering on Patrick’s soft lips he kissed deeper trying to find comfort or the promise that this would not be the last. All he could taste was blood and tears. He could hear the police and ambulance people bolting down the elevator stairs as the pressure on the back of his neck went slack as Patrick’s hand fell away. Pete broke the kiss and sat up a bit, still leaning on Patrick’s chest.
“Patrick? Patrick!” Pete shouted shaking Patrick’s now still form, trying to give it motion, trying desperately to give it life “PATRICK!”
* * *
“Patrick!” Pete said speeding his walk to a run and half tackled Patrick, Patrick only just keeping his balance as they spun around. Pete pulled his arms around Patrick’s shoulders nuzzling his head on the nape of Patrick’s neck. He breathed deep the fresh smell of summer that seemed to be a part of Patrick and rubbed a hand against his back where no wound bled “I had the most real and terrifying dream last night” he let go of Patrick but didn’t move away feeling suddenly choked up “I dreamt you died and there was nothing I could do to save you”. Pete didn’t however tell Patrick about the way this dream had torn him in two, making Patrick seem far too mortal. How it had made him long so completely for his friends company on the one day he couldn’t seem to give it to him. Or the pure joy that he felt to hear him sing and to know that that sound, that amazing sound sprung from an amazing friend was not gone forever. Patrick looked surprised at the pale and serious expression on Pete’s face. He reached out and put a warm hand on Pete’s shoulder.
“It was just a dream Pete, I promise I won’t die anytime soon ok?” Patrick said softly “Are you ok to go on?” Pete mimicked Patrick’s action putting his hands on Patrick’s shoulders.
“Always” he replied regaining his composure just glad to be near Patrick.
“Was I in it?” Andy’s voice floated over from behind.
“Yeah, you were even a hostage for a little while” Pete answered looking behind.
“What about me?” Joe asked joining Pete and Patrick.
“You were great man! You saved Andy” Pete replied with a grin “Though I think you might’ve gotten a broken jaw for it”
“Intense” Joe said with a proud smirk.
“So how did I off it anyway?” Patrick asked sensing the mood was sufficiently light enough as they lined up waiting to be called.
“You were shot by the guy who was holding Borders hostage” Pete answered.
“Seriously?”
“Yeah I think it was supposed to be like back when you worked at Borders and it was on the day one of the Harry Potter books was released so it was mad busy, prefect for a hostage situation I guess” Pete explained “And just as you were about to finish your shift and we would get a cup of coffee the bastard came blazing in telling everyone to drop to the floor and shit. It was really scary”
“Sounds like a good story line for a movie” Andy said thoughtfully as a guy with headphones came over to them.
“Ok boys you’re on in five…four…”
“Nah I don’t think audiences would appreciate the guy on guy action as much as me” Pete said casually.
“Dude you have the weirdest dreams” Joe laughed.
“GO!”
Epilogue
Pete dragged his sorry ass into his bedroom shutting the door behind him, the clock on his bedside table informing him that it was 4:00 in the morning. Finally coming down from the high of the two exceptionally successful concerts of that day he fell onto his bed exhausted. With no energy to get changed he took off his belt, shirt and shoes and threw them into the corner. Then slithered under the clovers wincing with the thought of the hangover he would have tomorrow. To celebrate their popularity at the festival they, with Travis and the others, had gone on the most inebriating bar crawl he’d ever been on. He had apologized profusely to Sarah on arriving back for missing dinner when he promised to be home and had given her a kiss on the cheek to make up for it. When he had reached his floor he bid his friends goodnight and staggered down the hall to his room. Now as he lay in bed though the crushing tiredness weighing down on him he couldn’t sleep. He lay there between the covers in the dark, his eyes closed waiting and wishing for sleep to take him images of Patrick’s bloody body in his arms flashing through his mind. He was coming down harder than he thought and he wondered if he would sleep at all. Just then he felt a hand push him and he groggily lifted the front of his torso up.
“Shove over” the voice said and Pete did as he was told feeling the covers being lifted then placed back down.
“Patrick?” Pete asked blearily.
“You dropped your keys outside the door” Patrick explained yawning.
“I didn’t even hear you come in” Pete said.
“I’m silent like a ninja you know that” Patrick replied with a titter “Now go to sleep” Pete looked through the dark silently a soft grin spreading his lips before his lowered himself back down onto the bed.
“No nightmare’s for you tonight young man” Patrick said.
“Goodnight Lunchbox” Pete said sleepily.
“Goodnight Peter Pan”
Literature
PTDOTP Chapter 4
“Hey, Patrick!” I smiled weakly at Joe’s enthusiastic greeting. “Boy, am I glad to see you again! I thought, after last time, that you weren’t coming back. I’m glad to see that he didn’t rattle you too badly.”
“Thanks, Joe,” I said gratefully.
“Jeez, dude, are you all right?” he asked concernedly. “You look like you haven’t slept in a week.”
“I’m fine,” I mumbled. “I stayed up a little too late last night.”
“I can see that,” he said, a faint touch of amusement in his voice. “Come on, have some coffee before you go see Wentz.
Literature
PTDOTP Chapter 11
**Pete’s POV**
As soon as Patrick stopped singing, I felt bad. I didn’t exactly know why that was; if it was that he had been having so much fun singing, that he sang so well, that he looked so good when he sang, or, more likely, the odd expression that had crossed his face when I had threatened him. It had been something almost like terror. Honestly, I had never seen Patrick this jumpy, not even on that first day he had visited me. Even though he was reading my lyrics, he seemed distracted and jumped and looked around wildly at the slightest noise.
I sighed and lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling. As desperately as I tri
Literature
PTDOTP Chapter 20
“Patrick, you can’t honestly be leaving,” Jon said disbelievingly.
“I got expelled, Jon,” I said heavily, stuffing the last tee shirt into my suitcase and slamming the lid shut. “Sit on this for me, will you?”
He sat. “But…Jesus, Patrick, you had so much going for you. Why’d you let Beckett screw you over this way?”
I stopped zipping up the suitcase and looked up at him. “I already let Lewis fuck me, and that was to get him behind bars. I’m done selling myself to get what I want.” I stood up and strode over to the bathroom to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything.
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So here it is the big Moral Dilemma fic, i was going to split it into two chapters because it's so very long but I decided to see how people liked it as one. Is it too long for one? I really need opinions on this because I want to put it up on Live Journal too.
Now first and foremost these people or characters are not mine! They belong to themselves only and this story is a complete fabrication, it is not in any way shape or form true. I borrowed facts about the band members in Fall Out Boy (who I love dearly and would never want to upset or trouble) to make it seem more realistic. Not true! Fan fiction!
I put a hell of a lot of work into this one with planning and going over it again and again to make sure it was ok. The idea for this fic came originally from a little book I found in borders called creative block. Me and my good friend aspirer were waiting in the loooong line for the last Harry Potter book when we found it, which also helped with the storyline. She or me, I can’t remember, I think it was her, flipped it open to a page that read “Much is said about the first kiss, but what about the last?” and that just lodged itself in my brain immediately. I thought what a cool idea for a story and then it wouldn’t leave me alone. Then after reading the incredibly fantastic ‘The Phrase that Pays’ petrick on live journal I was ridiculously wound up to write one of my own despite the moral dilemma that this entailed (as you all know).
However after coming up with tons of storylines I just couldn’t find the love for and sitting with writers block for a few hours the “much is said of the first kiss…” came into mind. So then I tweaked and twisted this idea into my own having the peterick kiss not only being the first but the last as well and as you all know I love to write about dreams.
I was going for a sort of fractured reality feel with this fic. I wanted people to be like “What’s going on? Is this really happening or not?” till they caught on towards the end though it won’t surprise me if you smart cookies know from the very start what the Borders bits are.
The title of this fic is inspired by Pete’s style of naming songs, though it doesn’t sit entirely well with me because I don’t really want people to think that the kiss is what this fic is about. It’s not. It’s about friendship and love and cherishing that bond.
I hope this fic is enjoyed and does not hurt anyone’s feelings please comment and tell me what you think!
Now first and foremost these people or characters are not mine! They belong to themselves only and this story is a complete fabrication, it is not in any way shape or form true. I borrowed facts about the band members in Fall Out Boy (who I love dearly and would never want to upset or trouble) to make it seem more realistic. Not true! Fan fiction!
I put a hell of a lot of work into this one with planning and going over it again and again to make sure it was ok. The idea for this fic came originally from a little book I found in borders called creative block. Me and my good friend aspirer were waiting in the loooong line for the last Harry Potter book when we found it, which also helped with the storyline. She or me, I can’t remember, I think it was her, flipped it open to a page that read “Much is said about the first kiss, but what about the last?” and that just lodged itself in my brain immediately. I thought what a cool idea for a story and then it wouldn’t leave me alone. Then after reading the incredibly fantastic ‘The Phrase that Pays’ petrick on live journal I was ridiculously wound up to write one of my own despite the moral dilemma that this entailed (as you all know).
However after coming up with tons of storylines I just couldn’t find the love for and sitting with writers block for a few hours the “much is said of the first kiss…” came into mind. So then I tweaked and twisted this idea into my own having the peterick kiss not only being the first but the last as well and as you all know I love to write about dreams.
I was going for a sort of fractured reality feel with this fic. I wanted people to be like “What’s going on? Is this really happening or not?” till they caught on towards the end though it won’t surprise me if you smart cookies know from the very start what the Borders bits are.
The title of this fic is inspired by Pete’s style of naming songs, though it doesn’t sit entirely well with me because I don’t really want people to think that the kiss is what this fic is about. It’s not. It’s about friendship and love and cherishing that bond.
I hope this fic is enjoyed and does not hurt anyone’s feelings please comment and tell me what you think!
© 2007 - 2024 Seraph5
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I know I should've been crying but when Pete called him Lunchbox I could breathe! I've never heard that term used on Patrick before, did you create the adorable nickname?