the carpal tunnel of love [chapter twenty-eight]

Chapter Twenty Eight
The Kid Was Alright, But it Went to His Head

Alexis's POV

I knew this morning would be extremely awkward. Brendon was out cold on the floor and Pete and Patrick were both up, both sitting at opposite sides of the breakfast nook in the small kitchen. I sat watching everything from the couch and wondering if they were going to destroy each other. Pete took a rather harsh sip of his coffee and slammed the mug down, splashing coffee all over Patrick. "Alright, lover boy, you wanna play? Let's play," Patrick said, getting up from his seat and grabbing Pete by the neck of his shirt. "Stop it! Stop it!" I yelled, getting up from the couch. "Just back off, back off, Alexis," Patrick said as Pete punched him in the arm. "What the hell is going on?" Brendon said, hopping up from his spot on the floor. Patrick had regained control of Pete and had him in a choke hold. Brendon ran over and pulled Patrick off Pete and Pete fell into my waiting arms, clutching his throat and out of breath. "Pete, you always fucking screw everything up! It was your idea that started this band and you know what, it cost me my last relationship!" Patrick shouted at Pete. "It's not his fucking fault you worked your ass off instead of seeing her!" I said, coming to Pete's defense. "Alexis is right," Brendon said, releasing his hold on a now calmer Patrick. Pete lifted himself out my arms and stared at Patrick, and walked to his room, all in silence.

"Goddammit, Patrick! You couldn't let him explain himself, let alone me," I shouted at Patrick. "What was I to do? You were fucking around with my best friend!" Patrick yelled back. "Okay guys, no need to yell, don't strain your voices," Brendon, the voice of reason, chimed in. I lowered my voice and replied, "Pete obviously had feelings for me and he has trouble containing them Patrick, can you understand if I want to help him with these feelings?" "I guess I can," Patrick said, looking at the floor in shame. "Oh Patrick, no need to be shameful, we all make mistakes," I said, coming over and putting an arm around him. "Alexis?" Patrick said, very quietly and in a low voice. "Yes?" I replied. "I can forgive you but, as far as being in a relationship, I-I can't say," Patrick said, some tears coming from his eyes. "Oh, oh, well I understand," I said in disbelief. "I'm glad you understand," Patrick said, gently pushing my arm off him and going to take a shower.

It was over for Patrick and I. One stupid incident and it ended. Brendon came over to me and put his arm around me in comfort. I pulled him into an embrace and sobbed onto his shoulder. "It's okay, it'll be alright," Brendon whispered into my ear. "Brendon?" I said, pulling away from the hug. "Mmm?" he replied. "I need to talk to Pete, alone," I said. Brendon nodded and I walked over to Pete's room. I knocked on the door. "Pete?" I said. No reply. I walked into the room and Pete was lying on the bed, eyes shut. "Go away," he said. "Pete, I- We need to talk," I said, sitting on the bed next to him. "What is there to talk about? I mean Patrick hates me now, and I'm sure you do too," he replied, looking at me. "Pete, I don't hate you, I just think that you need to contain your emotions better, I liked that you wrote me a poem, thats a good way to do it or write a song, isn't that what you are best at?" I said, averting his gaze and looking at the wall. "Well it's so hard to write about something you can't have, it's painful," Pete said, trying to look into my eyes, but I avoided his stare everyime.

Pete began to laugh at me. "What are you laughing at?" I said. "You are so odd, averting a simple glance at you," Pete snickered. "Well I don't find it too odd, otherwise I wouldn't be doing it," I replied. Dammit, what a stupid thing to say. Pete just continued to laugh at me, so I threw a pillow at him. He caught it and said, "I caught it this time." That brought me back to the time after Brendon and I had "gotten intimate" and I was getting dressed and Pete was awake looking at me and I threw the pillow at him. Pete scooted over to me and looked me in the eyes. I tried to look away but Pete put his hands on my face, making it impossible for me to avert his gaze. I leaned in closer to kiss him, but I pulled away and said, "I've-I've got to get ready for today." Pete nodded looking sad and he walked over to his suitcase to put something on as I left the room. I wanted to kiss him, oh God did I want to, but I don't know why I didn't do it. Why was I always this stupid? An opportunity presents itself and I slam the door in it's face.