Patrick was hanging out on the couch that evening, headphones in, when Kat came down the stairs. The baby was "sleeping" in its carrier by the couch (which just meant that it wasn't programmed to scream bloody murder for another hour or so), and Patrick was flipping through a magazine. Kat smiled at him; he nodded at her and then quickly turned his eyes back to the page. She sat next to him. She was getting a bad case of cabin fever. Bianca had been at the beach all day with Cameron and Michael, and Patrick had been in and out of the house. She tried to tell herself she was being paranoid, but it almost seemed like he was avoiding her. He had been acting strangely ever since he got home from his therapist appointment the day before, and every time she came to find him, he was 'just on his way out'.
"What are you up to tonight?" she asked.
Patrick pulled one earbud out and cocked his head, indicating he hadn't heard her the first time. She repeated the question, and he answered, "Oh, I have those tickets. Since you can't go with me, I told Ronnie he could have yours. He likes Johnny Saint."
Kat nodded, pursing her lips. Of course. He had bought those concert tickets for them weeks ago; Johnny Saint & The Holy Rollers was one of Patrick's favorite bands.
"In fact," he added, checking the time, "I should probably get going. I'll probably grab a bite to eat first. You don't mind, right? I mean, it's your night to take care of the robo-baby and all..."
"Yeah, no, totally," Kat plastered a smile on her face. "Have fun! Try and snag some video for me if they play-"
"'Heaven Sent'?"
"My favorite song," she confirmed. She smiled at him and he returned it, but left without a kiss goodbye, which did nothing to allay her concerns.
"Where's he going?" Bianca asked, walking in as Patrick left.
"Concert," was Kat's one-word reply.
Clearly her tone was not missed by her sister, who asked, "Jealous much?"
Kat sighed. "He can do what he wants. It's a free country. Never mind the fact that I'm pent up in this house all day like an animal in a highly unethical zoo. Never mind the fact that I was really looking forward to that concert. Never mind the fact that he's been avoiding me all day. Never mind-" Kat stopped as she saw the look on her sister's face and realized she was ranting. "Um...never mind," she finished sheepishly.
Bianca just raised her eyebrows and suppressed a smile. "Anyway," she said, "I've got my own problems. Tonight's the Biggest Poser, where I'll finally get to see once and for all what a lying, scum-sucking, two-faced little jerk Joey is. Wanna watch with me?"
Kat rolled her eyes, "Pass."
"Come on, Kat, please?" Bianca's face softened. "I can't watch alone."
"What about your friends? I'm sure they'd be more than willing."
"Dawn's grounded. She kind of borrowed her dad's charge card and bought $300 worth of shoes online. And Cameron & Michael ran home for some Warlords & Warriors tournament online or something. Please, Kat?" Kat groaned, but nodded in assent.
Kat didn't have to watch to tell you what was going to happen. And she was completely right. The slimy producers of the show had wanted to create a sense of drama, so they froze the scene just after Coliviette attached herself to Joey's face. In the first two seconds of the new episode, she and Bianca saw Joey push the skinny model off him, and shout "What are you doing?" As the girl continued trying to flirt with Joey, he just got more and more outraged. "I have a girlfriend!" he demanded. He didn't even wait for another response from the girl, instead he stormed out of the hot tub and back to his room.
Bianca was grinning like an idiot by the time the show was over. Joey had apologized & proclaimed his love for her on national television. As soon as the show ended the phone rang. Joey was explaining that the producers wouldn't let him call her until after the episode aired; apparently he had agreed to keep "vital show information" confidential, and the producers didn't want there to be any chance of a "leak" as to what actually happened. Kat shook her head and smiled. She was glad for her sister; Bianca hadn't been herself since the previous week. But somewhere, deep, deep, inside, she felt a twinge of jealousy. Bianca and Joey had been dating for as long as she and Patrick had. She knew Patrick was nothing like Joey (thank god!) but still, she was a little jealous that Bianca had a boyfriend who was so open with his emotions. Still, she thought, Patrick had been showing he cared for her all this past week. Could she really ask for more? She was feeling overwhelmed. And, as she sometimes did when life got overwhelming, she decided to make a mental list. Good things and bad things.
Her and Patrick had gotten back together. That was good.
Her dad had walked in on a very inopportune moment. That was bad.
Patrick hadn't run screaming from the house. That was good.
She now had to take care of a baby doll with a computer chip that was seriously disturbing her sleep cycle. That was bad.
Patrick was helping. That was good.
Except that today, he had been strangely distant. That was bad.
As the baby started whining, she was wondering if the bads outweighed the goods. Just as she was getting Janie quiet again (did real babies need their diaper changed as often as this one pretended to?), her phone started beeping.
It was a message from Patrick. Wish you were here. Ronnie's making a fool of himself with every girl he sees...you'd love it. Attached was a video, a short clip of the song "Heaven Sent". She smiled.
That was good.
End Note: So, I keep trying to do these "Patrick Acts Like A Jerk" chapters, but I always seem to throw in something at the end where he makes up for it by being super sweet. I think I have issues, I'm just not sure what they are. :P Next chapter'll hopefully be up tomorrow, and (if I do say so myself), it's gonna be a good one. :) Only two more chapters left!
