the carpal tunnel of love [chapter twelve]

Chapter Twelve
Midnight Show

My heart dropped to the bottom of my stomach. Brendon....a-a-a girlfriend? I picked up a letter and began to read it.

"My Dearest Brendon, I miss you so much, words can't explain it. Your cell has been off, so I haven't been able to call. Maybe you will get this letter at the hotel you are staying at. I love you!! I send kisses. Love, Audrey"

I felt the tears run down my cheeks with a taste of bitterness in my mouth. I threw down the letter and ran out of the bathroom. "Hey, Lexi! What's up?" asked Pete as I rushed by him, crying and sobbing uncontrollably. I ran out of the bus and found Brendon on the phone. "Oh babe, I'm sorry I haven't called, I have been um, busy with um, work, you know, oh Audrey don't say th-" Brendon was saying until he saw me standing there, tears streaming down my face in the cold Chicago air.

"Oh, sh*t," Brendon whispered softly under his breath. I looked at him and as he started to say something, I took what little dignity I had left and ran. "Wait, Lexi!!" he called after me. I ran, not looking back and not knowing where I was going. Knocking into a couple of people, I rushed into an apartment building and fell on the floor. Oh God, this has just happened too many times before, just end it all now., I thought as my tears soaked the floor. "Up you go," said a voice as a warm hand took mine and lifted me up. I brushed aside my wet hair and wiped away the tears on my face. I looked up and if it wasn't for his hand behind my back, I would have fainted. Gasping for air, I managed to get out, "Thank...you...Pa-*gasp*-trick?" He simply nodded and took my hand again, leading me to an elevator. I could feel his eyes surveying my body and my cheeks reddened a little. I saw him avert his gaze as I turned to him. Awwh, he's shy, I thought. The doors opened and we walked to an apartment with the numbers "362" on the door. Patrick opened the door and took my hand once more. "Here, catch your breath," Patrick said, showing me to a bright red couch.

I nodded and sat down, shivering. Patrick must have noticed because he draped his coat over me. It was warm and smelled really good. "Thank you," I said, smiling. "No problem," he said winking at me, "So what's your name stranger?" I felt my face redden even more and said, "Alexis Love, yes I know, awkward name." Patrick laughed and said, "Alexis, thats a nice name," as he walked into a small kitchen. "You can call me Lexi though," I said, curling up in the jacket. Patrick came back with two cups of cocoa and handed me one. "Nah, I'd rather call you Alexis, it's prettier," he said, drinking his cocoa. "Thank you for the cocoa," I said, sipping it lightly. "No prob. So why were you all distressed? I mean you nearly knocked me over running and crying," Patrick asked. Thats when I told him all about Brendon and how I thought he loved me.

"Wow. I mean that's just- Wow. I cannot believe that Brendon would cheat on Audrey like that," Patrick said. I gave him a look of disbelief and he quickly added, "And, um, I can't believe he cheated on you too!" The tears began to run down my face again and I hid my face in the jacket. As I sobbed quietly, Patrick got a tissue box and sat down next to me. I peaked out of the jacket and got a tissue.

He rubbed my back as I wiped the tears away and that only made me cry more, thinking of Brendon and the others. Patrick pulled me into a hug and I cried over his shoulder. He was so warm and soft and just generally comforting. Patrick began to say something when his phone rang. "Sorry, I'll be back," he said picking up the phone. "Hello?" "Pete!" "Yes, I have seen someone of that description, she's sitting right in front of me." "Well I don't know, hold on-" "Do you wish to speak to Brendon?" Patrick asked. "No. I do not at all," I said, tightening my grip on the mug of cocoa. "No, she does not wish to speak with him at all! NO! NO! NO! She does NOT want to speak with him! Goodbye, Pete!" Patrick hung up the phone and sat back down next to me. "Sorry about that," he said, looking into my eyes. "It's okay," I replied, staring at the floor.

"Why do you do that?" Patrick asked, tilting my head up towards him, "I mean you have done it every time I look into your eyes." My face turned pink and I said, "Well, I'm kinda, shy around...guys." Patrick laughed, "Why? I don't bite!" Patrick playfully pulled me towards him and pretended to be a vampire. I laughed and he said, "Dahling, I am going to suck your blood!" He kissed me on the neck and I giggled once more. Patrick made me feel so comfortable. Remembering I still had wet hair I asked, "Do you happen to have a hair dryer?" Patrick replied, "Yes. Its in the bathroom, under the sink." I got up and walked over to the bathroom door and opened it. My eyes became star struck once more, but were quickly realizing I had just seen Joe Trohman's naked body in the shower.