((A/N~Flashbacks are in italics))

I tightened my dark coat as I walked down the street, through the summer rain. I looked down to avoid any chance of eye contact with anyone walking past me. I just watched my feet plummet into the occasional puddle, sending ripples throughout.

Puddles weren't the only things that had ripples. Life has ripples too, but those ripples aren't so easily identified as accidental or intentional like rain puddles. Real life ripples are out of nowhere. Real life ripples will leave you crippled in pain, or jumping in happiness. Real life ripples are either the best or worst parts of your existence.

We've all had our share of ripples. I've experienced the best ripples...

I was running late...again. My shift at the vinyl shop started in less than five minutes, and the run over would take at least ten. Why did the power go out in the middle of the night? Why did my phone alarm not go off?

I was running around a corner, when I ran right into another pedestrian. We both fell to the ground, groaning.

"Oh shoot, I'm really sorry!" I was trying to get to my feet, but kept stumbling.

"It's alright, dude." The stranger I knocked over held out his hand. I took it and he helped me to my feet.

"No, it's not! I-" I stopped talking when I saw the guy in front of me. He had dark black hair that covered one eye with a fringe. His other eye was masked with dark eyeliner, that really made the mixed colors of his iris pop.

He grinned at me, "I'm Pete..."

"Patrick..." I said, unable to take my eyes away from his.

"You alright there, lover boy?" He laughed a bit, creating small crinkles by his eyes.

"I-ah" I was a bit taken back by his smooth statement. I didn't know how to respond.

He just kept grinning. "Of anyone to knock me over today, I'm glad it was you." He said in a hushed tone.

"At least take me to dinner before you get all cheesy romantic on me." I somehow managed to form a full sentence.

"Dinner? Too long of a wait, my friend. I can do lunch. Like right now. At this coffee shop, here." Pete nodded his head at the small shop across the street, "Whatchya say?"

I was still for a moment. I had probably missed being late for work...again. What would being a bit later hurt?

"Gladly." I smiled back at Pete, following him as he began walking backwards towards the shop.

I kept my head down as I passed the place, smelling the warm treats and feeling it's invitation from the cold rain. I ignored it.

That was a good ripple, but it also lead to bad ripples...

"Oh, I'm so fucking sorry I'm not the perfect straight son you were looking forward to having produce grandchildren for you!" I yelled into the phone before throwing it against the wall opposite of where I sat.

I brought my knees to my chest, hiding my face as I began to cry. You'd think your family would support your happiness...You'd hope they'd still love you, no matter what...

"Patrick?" I heard Pete ask cautiously with the creek of the door opening.

I couldn't respond, I was shaking. I felt his arms wrap around my shaking figure, soothing me softly.

"I'm here...it's okay..."

"But they're n-n-not..." The words slipped past my lips almost silently, but Pete somehow heard.

"Fuck 'um then." He said, pulling me closer too him and resting his head on mine.

I stepped through another puddle, sending out even more ripples. I remember my ripples... How they still haunt me...

"It was nothing, Patrick!" Pete yelled.

"Yea, his pants being thrown across the room was fucking nothing Pete!" I yelled back with tears in my eyes, "I fucking trusted you! You said you were there for me!"

"I fucking am!" He argued back, throwing his hands in the air, "Patrick, I would never cheat on you! He was stripping, not me! He was the one that was grinding on me!"

"You sure didn't fucking stop him!"

Pete was silent, only confirming my argument.

"Patrick... I love you, please I-"

"Save it." I shook my head, "I...I just need some space..."

I rushed past Pete and left the room, left the building... Left everything.

I was walking through a neighborhood now. The rain hadn't let up at all. It was silent except for the rhythm of the rain drops falling around me.

There were less puddles here...Less ripples...

I was crying. I couldn't completely see. I just couldn't let go of what Pete had done. I trusted him...I loved him...

"Patrick!" I could hear him calling out to me.

I couldn't stand to be around him. I began to run, not paying attention to where I was going or any of my surroundings.

"PATRICK, LOOK OUT!" Pete screamed before I heard the loud honk of a horn and saw nothing but darkness.

I stopped in front of a lonely gray house. It was small, but the perfect size for two.

I turned to the other side of the path I walked, closest to the street, and looked over the small memorial there. A small white cross, rain drenched notes and letters, a small soaking teddy bear, just to name a few...I heard a sniffling noise behind me and I turned once again to the house.

Pete was there, on the front porch. His eyes were red and puffy as he looked at me.

"Baby, come home." He called out to me, "Please...I'm so sorry..."

I looked at him for a minute, then looked down. The puddles were absent here. I could cause no new ripples directly. I looked back up at Pete, not sure how I felt.

"I don't want to be alone, Patrick, please..." His pleading was soft and nearly silent.

My ripples were calming. Every ripple I had caused on my walk over had long since faded, being replaced only by the rain's small ripples.

I looked at Pete.

He was my life changing ripple.

He was my life ending ripple.

What if my ripple had been different? What would of changed?.. It was too late to ever know now.

I faded away, watching Pete's eyes drip tears in rhythm with the rain drops around him.

My last ripple was sent.