Patrick smiled at me, the moonlight flooding his breathtaking face. I didnt know where I was or what I was doing here, but it felt right. Everything around me felt right.
Patrick suddenly brushed his lips against mine and smiled even wider.
I love you. He said as he looked at me straight in the eye, as if looking through my soul. I felt a slight shiver down my spine but I didnt respond, instead I leaned over to kiss him. Little by little, the space between our faces inched closer.
I woke up early morning Saturday morning with the sound of frying bacons. The smell flooded my room. I looked over my side table clock and saw that it was past six. I groaned covering my head with the covers. I suddenly remembered why I set up my alarm this early Saturday morning. This got me to shot up from my head making me dizzy.
Since were having the play in a month, Mrs. Johnson suggested that we start practicing early this weekend, or at least get some of the lines done, especially for Romeo and Juliet parts. Meaning, Romeo and Juliet are to see each other today.
Last night I couldn't sleep mainly for this reason, and today, I felt anxious. Patrick and I had agreed to meet at Starbucks at 7 and go practice at their house. Naturally, I agreed, I dont want him to see our cluttered house and think that Im a slob.
I took a quick shower and headed downstairs for breakfast. My mom insist that we eat breakfast together since, it was practically the only meal we share together. She leaves late in the morning but comes home late in the evening, that's her time shift. Oh, did I mention she works as a cashier in an expensive restaurant. She gets a good salary that can sustain us both, so I have no problem with that. The only thing is, she over works, always trying to get the over time.
"Where are you off to today, sweetheart?" My mom asked as she poured orange juice to my glass.
"I'm off to meet up with a friend; were going to practice for a project together." I said nonchalantly, trying to hide my excitement mixed with anxiety. I took a bite off of my bacon. "Oh and later this afternoon, Im gonna attend a party with Sam, is it alright?"
"Whose party is it?" She asked with surprised. I couldn't blame her. I don't usually go to parties but this one's for Sam. Sam really likes Adam, remember?
"Adam McMahons."
"Oh, okay." She said trying to sound unsurprised all of a sudden. "Dont stay too late." She smiled.
"Okay."
I quickly finished my breakfast and ran out of the door. Somehow, I was feeling excited about the whole thing. This is going to be our first real conversation, if ever.
By the time I got to Starbucks, it was already seven. Patrick was standing a few steps from the road holding two mocha frappuccinos. Once he saw me, his face immediately lit up.
"I bought two," He started and smiled, "Just in case you want some."
"Thanks." I smiled grabbing the frapp from him. I took a small sip and looked at him. He was looking out on the road as if waiting for someone.
I subtly cleared my throat and he snapped his head to look at me.
"Oh, sorry" He said sipping his mocha frapp. "We're waiting for a friend, we need a ride."
"Is it too far from here?" I asked. I dont mind walking, though the sun was beginning to burn. He didn't need to call a friend to pick us up.
"No, not really." He said. "You just might get tired of walking." He said looking at me in the eyes. I stared at him, hi stared back. We stared at each other for a couple of seconds before hearing a car honk. A black civic was on the street a few steps away from us.
"Heres our ride." He said taking my hand, unexpectedly. I could tell he didnt quite expect his movement, too because he quickly let go of my hand and opened the car door for me.
I got in and Patrick got in up at front. The guy looked at me through the rear view mirror and smiled. I smiled back and nodded in acknowledgement.
"So, you must be Claire." He said driving off.
"Yeah." I smiled.
"Oh, Claire, this is Pete." Patrick said looking at me. I nodded.
"Patrick has told me a lot about you." Pete said looking at me through the rear view mirror again. I saw Patrick nudge Pete using his elbow. Pete let out a low snicker.
"He has?" I asked stupidly looking at Patrick, or at least the back of the seat's headboard.
"Uh-huh." Pete nodded. "And I might tell you he really"
"Pete, you missed our street." Patrick said cutting him off. I can tell that he did it to change the subject. Pete did a u-turn and made a left on the street we just passed.
We stopped at a regular-sized white house. The front yard was green, greener than the yards of the other houses. The front porch had a small swing, a coffee table and three small chairs. It looked cozy.
Pete parked the car and we all got out. I followed both guys up the front porch and waited as Patrick unlocked the door.
"Well, its not much," Patrick said as we all stepped in. "But its home." He smiled.
Pete sat on the couch, put his feet on the coffee table and turned on the TV as if he lived there. Is he? I dont know, but the looked on Patricks face answered my question.
"Moms gonna be upset." Patrick muttered under his breath as he shook his head. I looked at him. "She doesnt like people putting their feet on the table, said it ruins the doily." He told me.
"Feet off the table, Pete." I looked around to see a woman with the same red hair as Patrick coming down from the stairs. This must be his mom. Pete immediately removed his feet and smiled at the woman.
She looked at me and gave a warm smile. "Hello, dear."
I smiled back.
"Mom, this is Claire." Patrick started. "My classmate." He said looking down.
"Hello Claire, will you be joining us for lunch?" She asked sweetly.
Lunch? Before I could answer no, out of courtesy, Pete answered for me.
"Yes, we will." Pete said. Mrs. Stump gave him a hard look them looked back at me and smiled. Then, she went off to the kitchen muttering something under her breath.
"Lets get started shall we?" Patrick said as he moved the small coffee table out of the way leaving the whole living room floor bare.
Patrick and I both stared at Pete who didnt move an inch, expecting him to go and turn off the television. He seemed to notice and sighed turning it off and heading to the kitchen.
"Claire, good luck being our Romeos Juliet." He said winking at me before disappearing into the kitchen swinging doors.
Romeos Juliet. The sounded, amazing!
Silence filled the room once Pete left. I brought out my copy of the script as Patrick got his.
"Maybe we should start at the death scene." I said looking at my copy but trying to watch him from the corner of my eye at the same time. "Thats the hard part, for me at least."
"Okay." He said. "Ill lie down and pretend to be dead, now." He smiled as he did so. I chuckled a little and kneeled down beside him.
Ive already read the script and tried memorizing all my crucial lines last night. I said, tried meaning, I only memorized short parts.
I took a deep breath and recited the lines. "Whats here? A cup closed in my true loves hand? Poison I see hath between his timeless end. O churl! Drunk all and no friendly drop to help me after? I will kiss thy lips."
I paused. I will kiss thy lips. Kiss his lips? I held my breath and continued saying my line.
"Haply some poison yet doth hang on them, to make me die with restorative"
This is it. Im supposed to kiss him, not that I had any objections with it. But it got me scared all the same. My breath even came out ragged and uneven. I noticed Patricks chest unevenly moving up and down, his eyes closed and his lips slightly parted.
I leaned closer, inch by inch; I could feel his warm breath on my face. I held my breath as his face was centimeters away from mine.
"Dude, your mom makes the best cream puffs ever." I quickly pulled away as Patrick quickly shot up. Pete was standing on the arch of the kitchen doorway, half of the swinging doors open. He was carrying a tray of what looked like cream puffs. I took this opportunity to gasp for air and even out my breathing.
Patrick rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I know Pete. Ive had them."
Pete raised a hand and looked surrendered. "I'm just saying." He shrugged. "Have you had them, Claire?" He asked looking at me.
"No. I havent." I said still a little breathless from the almost kiss Patrick and I had. "But I should try it." I said smiling and looking up at Patrick who was now standing. He smiled back and helped me stand up. I noticed his hand was cold.
"Wheres my mom?" Patrick asked Pete. I grabbed one of the cream puffs from the tray that Pete placed on the table.
"Oh, she went to the grocery." Pete said through a mouthful of cream puffs. "She said, shell not be home until after lunch, I told her about our rehearsal."
"Rehearsal? You guys are rehearsing for what?" I asked as I took a bite off of my cream puff.
"Band. Didnt Patrick tell you hes in a band?" Pete said looking at Patrick with narrowed eyes.
I shook my head.
"Were playing in McMahons party tonight." Patrick said. "Are you going?"
I nodded as I took another bite. "Cool. Whats the name?"
"We dont have a name yet." Pete said as he sat down on the couch and turned on the television. The Simpson's were on.
I sat down next to him as Patrick sat down on the chair next to it. I watched and laughed with the guys. Then suddenly I had this idea.
"Hey, you guys should be called Fall out Boy." I said looking from Pete to Patrick. "You know, the kid from the Simpson's." I continued pointing at the TV.
"Fall out Boy. Fall Out boy" Pete said to himself and nodding. Apparently, he likes it. I smiled to myself. At least I contributed to one thing in Patricks life.
"I like it." Patrick said nodding and smiling. With that, I smiled even wider.