I looked down at my feet as I walked, my black converse were starting to get pretty worn out. I sighed and looked up, seeing I was nearing the coffee shop. I pushed my sunglasses up my nose and crossed my arms, dreading to walk into the building. But I haven't missed a day for almost five years, so I have to go.

Even if it means running into him.

I pushed open the door, the bell above the door ringing. "Pete, how are you on this fine morning?" Evelyn's voice chirped as she set my order down in front of me. "It's okay, I guess." I mumbled in response, setting money down on the counter before grabbing my order and sitting down at my table.

I crossed my arms on the table before placing my head on top, so I couldn't see anyone. I heard the soft patter of feet before the chair in front of me scraped against the floor. Evelyn must've sat down. "Honey, what's wrong?" Her voice was soft and laced with worry as she put her hand on my arm.

I looked up at her, my eyes hidden by the sunglasses that were still on me. "Just had a bad night," I shrugged, looking out the window. "Do you want to talk about it? You know you will eventually." She said, pulling her hand away to take a bit of my muffin. I looked back at her, what seemed like the hundredth sigh leaving my lips.

"I was at Patricks yesterday, and he had.. pictures of me. Like family vacations, and even one of me sleeping." I frowned. Evelyn's lips turned into a straight line, a look of sympathy crossing her features. "And what did you do when you found them?" She asked. "I yelled at him and ran home."

Evelyn opened her mouth to speak, but the sound of the door opening stopped her. I looked over her shoulder, letting out a mental groan as Patrick walked inside. His eyes scanned the room before they landed on me, a sad look on his face. He walked over to us, a mall package in his hands. "Can I um, speak to Pete alone, please?"

Evelyn looked at Patrick then me, then back at Patrick. "Fine, but I'll be watching." She warned, giving Patrick a stern look before standing up and walking back behind the counter. "I don't want to talk to you." I snapped as Patrick sat down. "You don't have to, just please, listen to what I have to say."

Patrick took a deep breath, and I took off my sunglasses so I could see him more clearly. His eyes were red and puffy, indicating he had been crying. I furrowed my eyebrows at this, what could he be crying about? I'm the one that should've been crying, considering I found those creepy pictures in his apartment.

"So I know you're probably really confused and maybe even scared, like 'Why does this stranger have pictures of me in his house if we've never met before'. Or something along those lines. But I can't tell you right now, or at all even. Because I know you won't believe a word I have to say. So that's why I want you to watch this." Patrick slid the package over to me.

"It has all the answers, and maybe even some more questions. But I just need you to know that no matter what, I'm still the same Patrick, and I'll always be here for you. Even if you don't want me to be." By now there were tears streaming down his pale face, leaving marks that glistened in the sunlight.

And without another word Patrick stood up and left the coffee shop.

_____________________

I walked into my apartment later that night. All day I was distracted by what was in the package. After Patrick left I had finished my food in silence and walked to work, leaving the package in the bottom drawer of my desk for the day. But now I was done work and back in my living room, sitting on the couch.

I opened the package with a pair of scissors I had gotten from the kitchen, my hands were shaking with nerves. Hemingway sat next to me, fast asleep and completely oblivious to what I was doing. I set the scissors down on the coffee table as I dumped the contents of the package into my lap.

A cd, a letter, and one single picture. I put the cd and picture next to the scissors, deciding on reading the letter first. I opened it, seeing it was only a few sentences.

Dear Pete,

If you're reading this it means I finally decided to tell you. You're probably really confused right now, but everything will make sense in just a bit. And I just want you to know that I never stopped loving you, even when you stopped loving me.

-Patrick

I sat confused for a second, what does this even mean? I decided to look at the picture next. I folded the letter back up and put it on the table before picking up the picture. It was of Patrick and I standing in front of the Statue of Liberty. Patricks lips were pressed to my cheek as I smiled at the camera, a huge grin on my face.

I dropped the picture onto the floor and put my head in my hands. This doesn't make sense. None of this shit made sense. I rubbed my face, letting out a groan. Now the only thing that was left was the cd. I stood up and grabbed it before walking over to desk that was near the corner.

I sat down and opened my laptop, popping the cd into the side. I sat back in the desk chair and clicked play. At first it was just a black screen, but then a video started playing. It was of Patrick sitting in what looked like a hospital. He had a cut on his eyebrow, and a few on his cheeks and lip. His eyes were bloodshot and face tear stained as he began talking.

____________________
Author's Note:

Cliffhanger because I'm a terrible person  :-)

But what do you think will happen in the next chapter?

Only two chapters left :-(

AND I SAID PACKAGE IN THEI CHAPTE RLIKE THREE HUNDRED TIMES OMG IM SORRY