Imagine #156: Dare Me Not (Part 18)

*Patrick's P.O.V.*

I'm still honestly so confused with everything that is happening right now, I know that Y/N's hiding something...and even Elaine knows about it. The thought really bugs my head all the time, it's really bothering.

I also tried asking Meagan and Pete about it but they seemed confused as I am too. And according to them, Y/N kept on changing...she suddenly became so distant to them too and that just makes me feel guilty all over again. I know I'm the one that triggered this all.

"HEY! You're spacing out again! Are you in this or what?" Pete shouted that caught my attention.

"Y-yeah, sorry." I said. I just remembered that we're talking about surprising Y/N on her party tonight. I know it was a bad idea...me being there is a bad idea. She already told me to stay away from her, but still...I'm here being stubborn as ever and planning to go to her party even if I'm not invited.

"Put some passion to it, Stump. Don't let the bugging thoughts eat you away." Meagan said and I sighed.

"Wouldn't I be ruining her night if I show up there?" I asked sadly.

"Patrick, are you really just gonna give this up?" Pete asked and I helplessly look at him.

You know, honestly, all this ruined me too...look at me, I'm used to be known as the confident one...the one that always initiates things, but now I'm so helpless in here.

"Fine then, maybe you're really considering to stay away from her for her sake. I know you like Y/N and you wouldn't want to make her suffer, but Patrick, it's only fair for you to know why. And who's the best person to ask that...of course, Y/N herself. You know something is up, so you should ask her...even after the party. Just for this night, let's make it special for her." Meagan explained and I couldn't disagree with her.

"Thank you for helping me,I really appreciate it." I told them then Pete just patted my back.

Let's just really hope for the best tonight.

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We finally arrived at the party and the venue wasn't that big and the party isn't that wild kind of a party. Of course, it's just a small gathering for Y/N and everyone seems to be having fun already. Unlike me, that's so nervous and shaking right now.

 Why is it when it comes to this girl, I always feel weak? 

"Good evening, everyone!" Suddenly, I heard her voice. She was wearing a simple lilac colored dress and standing in the middle of the small crowd. She looks stunning as ever. "First of all thank you for coming tonight despite the short notice. I really appreciate you all for being here. Things have been going on around me lately, but I'm glad I'm able to push through them...Thank you for being with me for another year. Cheers, everyone!" she said with that beautiful smile of hers and I was stuck there while staring at her.

The party continued and I can't believe that I'm just hiding there, going away from her sight as much as possible.

"Really? You made an effort to go here just to avoid her?" Suddenly, I heard someone talk to me. I looked back and realized it was that guy who's always with Y/N...Brendon.

"I don't want to ruin her night." I said to him.

"Then why come here?" he asked, he wasn't saying it like he's asking for a fight...it's actually more like 'get yourself together, man' tone. "You know, you're lucky..." he said then he stared at Y/N from afar.

"Lucky? Look, dude, I don't know if you're getting this right...but that girl wants to stay away from me, saying that it's better this way...she hates me...how is that lucky?" I asked him and Brendon just sadly laughed.

"It's really unfortunate that you know nothing yet...if you just know how lucky you are, Patrick. You've always had that girl admiring you." he said that made me look seriously at him.

"You know what's up...Tell me."  I told him and he shook his head no.

"I'm not the one who should tell it to you. But trust me, Patrick, if you love her...just let it go." he said that made me look badly at her.

"N-no, I-I'm here not to let her go just like tha--

"That's not what I meant, Patrick. If you truly love her...you just have to let go of the memories from your past...because if you can't, it'll just be better if you and she stay this way." he said before walking away.

Let go something from my past...past...

I involuntarily looked at Y/N while thinking how can she be involved with that incident from my past?

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*Y/N's P.O.V.*

Right from the start, I knew Patrick is here...and honestly, I'm glad he came.

It was still a guilty pleasure of mine, even if I know him being with him will always end up in a mess...I just really wanted to be with him...to see him. I've always wanted that, but of course, it's always been rejected by fate. No matter what I do, it's just cannot be and I know it just all started with a simple dare. The dare I shouldn't have accepted.

"Hey, birthday girl! Everyone is dancing to the soft music, why don't you enjoy too?" Pete suddenly came near me and I smiled at him.

"I was just lost in my thought. Sorry about that." I said as I stood up.

"Care if we dance?" he asked gently and I just put my hand over his hand and he led me to the dance floor where everyone is already waltzing with their partners. 

Pete and I started to dance with everyone and it's honestly relaxing. The music is mellow and everyone seems to be having fun, I actually forgot all of my trouble thoughts and I wanted to let it stay like that for long.

"Thanks, Pete." I said the moment we stopped dancing and the music changed too. It was still mellow, but it was now one of my most favorite songs from High School Musical 3, it's always been one of my favorites - 'Can I Have This Dance?'

I smiled to myself and stepped back a little but I suddenly bumped into someone.

"I'm sorr--

"Y/N...hey." It was Patrick and he caught me before I lost my balance there. "You alright?" he asked and I simply nodded. He was holding my hand to stable me and when he's about to pull away, it seems like my unconscious mind doesn't want to because I was still holding him back.

Patrick simply smiled and tucked some of my hair behind my ear...God, this guy ruins me.

"Can I have this dance?" he asked and I can't believe my tear almost fell.

I nodded at him as he hold my hand and waist and we began to dance. Why am I letting him in again? I can't do anything now! He'll just hate me more and it'll just be more painful for me...but why am I letting him in?

Suddenly, I felt him brush my tears that apparently finally rolled down from my eyes. Patrick looks so innocent and sweet in front of me...it's like him before...

"Take my hand, I'll take the lead

And every turn will be safe with me
Don't be afraid, afraid to fall
You know I'll catch you through it all

And you can't keep us apart
(Even a thousand miles can't keep us apart)
'Cause my heart is wherever you are" Suddenly, he began to sing...sing the song to me while staring right in my eyes. I felt the sincerity in every word he sang and that made me afraid to even fall for him...that made me fear for this to continue...

But what can I do, right for the start I've loved this guy...even when he didn't know me, even when HE was just a DARE. It's always been him.

"It's like catching lightening, the chances of finding

Someone like you
It's one in a million, the chances of feeling
The way we do

And with every step together
We just keep on getting better
So can I have this dance?
(Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?" We sang together and I just let it happen...We danced as we sang and I smiled at him through the whole course. This is all that I wanted but how long would it last? How long would it last until he finds out I'm the one behind that incident that took advantage of him, that humiliated him, that made him change?

I honestly hope he doesn't find out...but as they say, no secret can be kept for a long time, even if one plan to take it to their graves.

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*Patrick's P.O.V.*

I knew she believed me, I knew she loved me, and finally she just let it be.

We danced and sang together and from that moment, we didn't let go of each other's hands. We talked like no one went wrong, we teased each other again and everything just went back to normal...but I know something is still bothering her, but I chose to ignore it for now...I just wanted her to enjoy this evening.

Her guests have gone home one by one until I was the only one left there. I helped her clean out the place as we just continue to tease each other like we always have before.

"I've missed you, you know." I suddenly told her while walking closer to her.

"Me too, Patrick. I'm sorry." she said. I stood in front of her, guiding her to look at me.

"I should be the one saying sorry, princess. I promise I won't let you go from now on." I told her and she gently holds onto my arm too.

"I really wish that promise isn't meant to be broken." she said sweetly and I chuckled at her. I just brushed her hair and stared at her.

"Count on me on that, Y/N." I murmured and after that our lips have met again...and this time I knew no one's going to ruin this mome--

"Is the party already over? God, I'm so sorry, Y/N!" 

That voice...I know that voice, it's still so familiar to me even all these years...

No it wasn't from Elaine...it wasn't from anyone in the college.

I pulled away from the kiss and I saw Y/N's reaction. She was the one facing the front door and she looked so shocked and scared to whoever just came in here...

"M-Mia...what are you doing h-here...?" she asked. That name...that voice...how can Y/N know this girl.

"It's your birthday! Of course, I'll be here, best friend!" she said...that girl said. She wasn't lying, it wasn't a mock either.

Her and Y/N...bestfriends...

What is this...what's happening?

I slowly looked at the girl and my heart had never beaten this fast...and finally I saw her, again, and never in my life have I imagined to see this girl that I despise again.

"P-Patrick, i-is that you?" she asked in shocked too and I felt all of my anger had been brought to life again...together with my confusion right now. "Oh my god, don't tell me you two ended up together?" she asked, again it wasn't a mock...it was all shock.

"P-Patrick, l-let me explain." Y/N started to say while trembling. She held my arm and I just brushed her away while looking at her with frustration.

"You knew? All this time? You knew?" I asked her with my breathing heavy.

I just need to know how...

How Y/N knows the girl that toyed me years ago...that girl that took advantage of me...that just looked at me like a 'dare'...that humiliated me and used me...

and why does it seem like Y/N has something to do with all these?

Is this why she tells me 'I'll just hate her' no matter what.