As I power walked towards the McDonalds I couldn't manage to get rid of Pete, I'd forgotten his former soccer self.
"What do you mean fuck no?" he inquired.
"It means I'm stuck with you all summer, it's a miracle I've managed not to bump into you sooner." The words came out dry and sharp and as silence permeated us, I felt guilty, it wasn't necessary to attack him, I'd already yelled at him. Yet I didn't feel bad enough to take it back either so it was quiet for a bit.
"So you're with the Warped Tour all summer?" he deducted, tentatively, like a wounded puppy, unsure if was safe to approach.
"Yes." I answered flatly. Finally the golden arch appeared before us and my pace only increased in speed.
"Why are you in such a hurry to get rid of me?" he asked me, sincerely curious. At this I wanted to smoke him across the head, maybe fame had made him dense?
"Look Pete, I thought I'd made it obvious but I'm not looking to have any sort of contact with you. You disappeared one morning and I had to adjust, I'm not going to readjust just because you're here before me."
"You are so rational, always have been, always will be. I can't blame you for that, s'one of your best qualities." He said with a laugh. I dared a glance at his face; he looked like he was living a personal viewing of his past in his head. "Remember that time I got Patrick's mattress through his window, the only thing that mattered to you was how I'd done it." Pete had a smirk on his face and for a second I saw past the hair dye and the eyeliner, I saw my Pete. I concluded that I'd had a different version of Pete, that Pete was still lying in his sheets in his home in Wilmette. He'd left it there with me, for me. Like him, I'd shed a former self as soon as his note had registered in my head. I could now picture the both of us, lying in his bed, holding on to each other for dear life, for those former selves were still there doing just that. Even as complete selves we were doing this, somewhere in time. Pete noticed that I was remembering him the way I liked him and he seized the opportunity. "Do you not miss me at all?" he asked.
"I miss the way we were." I replied easily, it made sense now, that's why I could be happy with John, I wasn't still in love with Peter; I just missed the person I could be with him. Peter nodded his understanding, yet he looked disappointed, either with my response or with the fact that I did not bother to ask him if he'd missed me. I pulled open the door to the McDonalds and finally I felt as though Pete was just a stranger, I didn't know him anymore, I could let go. I examined the menu board trying to pick something John would like. Pete stood by and watched, I think he was very surprised with me, I'd become a much more assertive person and everything about me exuded it.
"Hi, can I have two # 7 meals, with sweet n' sour sauce, one with sprite and one with a bottled water?" I pulled out my wallet as the young cashier punched in everything. "Oh and a smarties McFlurry please." I added on a whim, John and I could share, I was just hoping it wouldn't melt. I was glad that I'd beaten the lunch hour rush seeing as it was only 11.
"Your total is 10,15$." The cashier informed me with an awkward smile. Her cheeks were flushed and she was subtly glancing at Pete. He was oblivious and staring at me, which in turn made me blush. It was such a familiar feeling yet I wanted to swat it away. I walked away from the cash, bag and tray in hand, grabbed spoons, napkins and straws and followed Pete out of the restaurant, whom was conveniently holding doors for me.
"That's a lot of food for one person." Pete stated, he was prying for answers, but obviously trying to cover it up.
"It's not all for me." I replied sedately.
"Who are you sharing with?" Pee isn't very discreet about being nosey, but if he really wants to know, there's no sense in hiding it from him.
"My coworker John, who happens to be waiting for me back at the venue." I yet again provided.
"Oh." Was all he said.
rest in results
For the most part, the remainder of the walk back was silent and when I turned towards our van, Pete still followed. The door to our van miraculously opened, revealing John looking somewhat clean (as clean as you can muster on Warped) but still jubilant.
"Hey, you're back." He pulled me into a hug, not noticing Pete at first. "Mmm, and with food." He kissed me on the lips, because I knew we had an audience I kissed him back, not because I enjoy other people's discomfort, but because I had the sudden urge to hurt Pete a little bit.
"Of course, I told you that's where I was going." I told him.
"Well you took a while." He explained.
"She was with me." Pete decided to throw in. John finally noticed him.
"Oh."
Shazam! Three updates tonight!!! S,because I love you girlies.
