Patrick stares down at his plate of breakfast, a hint of a smile still present on his face as he poked at the food. His mother studies him as she sips her coffee, concern furrowing her brow.

"Tricky, sweetie?" she tries. "Is something wrong?"
"Huh?" Patrick asks, snapping out of his daze. His posture straightens quickly, his blue eyes widening. The words start to process in his head, and he starts to eat his food.

"Nothing's wrong, Mom," he states as he shovels food into his mouth.
"Slow down, kiddo," she chuckles weakly. Patrick does as he is told, a bit of color rising to his full cheeks upon his realization.

"You sure?" his mother asks again. "At first, you wouldn't even eat. Now it seems like you're in a rush."
"I'm fine," Patrick chuckles. "Really. No rush, I'm just... eating."
"Are you hiding something?"
"Why would you think that?" Patrick asks. It's now his turn to furrow his brow. His mother gives a shrug, realizing that her question may be ridiculous, considering her son dedicated his existence to music. She takes another sip off her coffee; Patrick slowly starts to poke at his food again, his mind drifting off to his experience with Nia. He subconsciously starts to take smaller bites of the food on his plate.

"How are you and Nia?" his mother asks just as Patrick takes a bite of scrambled eggs. The question shocks Patrick enough to make him almost choke on the piece of food and bring him to a coughing fit.

"Do you two still talk?" she asks.
"Y-Yeah," he rasps, recovering from his spasm due to lack of air. "I-I mean, I guess."
"What do you mean you guess?" she laughs. Patrick shuts his mouth and avoids eye contact with his mother upon the new question.

"Do we have any more coffee?" Patrick asks, dodging the question.
"You're not answering the question, Patrick," she states. Patrick stands from his seat and goes to the kitchen, hoping to find some of the caffeinated drink in its pot all while avoiding the conversation.

"Did you guys have a falling out?" she asks, worry lacing with her voice. "Are you two fighting?"
"No, we're fine," he calls from the kitchen. He finds the dark matter in its habitat and he instantly pours it into an available mug. He doesn't taint it as he starts to sip the warm beverage. "We're, uh... we're more than fine, actually."

Patrick blows a sigh and returns to his mother, a sheepish smile on his face.

"Took the last of it," he informs her, raising his mug just a little to signify the fact. "Hope you don't mind."
"Patrick, you are acting so strange today," she chuckles. "Just tell me what's going on. I hardly see you because you're either out of the house for the whole day or you're locked in your room with your music. And I don't want to take any of that away from you. You're an adult now."
"It's just... not an easy thing to talk about," Patrick fumbles as he leans on the frame of the door. "It's still really new."
"Who is she?" she asks, a smile claiming her face. Patrick's own face forms into a mixture of fear and shock at the fact that his mother knew his mind was on a girl.

"It's obvious, sweetie," she says, answering the unspoken question on Patrick's lips. "Who's the lucky girl?"
"It's, uh," he stammers, his attention fixating on his coffee. "It's... Nia. But please, Mom, don't—"
"Ah! I knew you two would end up together!" she squeals. Patrick heaves another sigh, a blush claiming his face as he looks away.
"...don't freak out, but never mind that," he mumbles under his breath.
"Oh, I can't help it!" she gushes. "I've seen the way you look at her. All eleven years! With all the girls you've dated that I have met, I have never seen you look at them the way you look at Nia."

Patrick stays silent, letting his mother continue with her rant about him and Nia. He sips at his coffee as he watches.

"She's something special, Patrick. I suggest you keep her and you treat her right! Protect her, love her— everything!"
"Yeah, of course, Mom," Patrick reassures with a hint of an incredulous chuckle. "You raised me better than that!"
"I sure hope so," she states with a playful glare. "Because if I hear any bad news about you two, me and you are going to have a chat about it."
"Jesus, Mom," he groans. "This is Nia we're talking about. I would never do anything to hurt her."
"I know, sweetie," his mother smirks before taking her final sip of coffee. "But seriously, Patrick. We both know she's been through a lot. Take care of her."
"I will, Mom," Patrick reassures. "I promise."
"Good," she smiles. "Also know that you have my blessing to marry her."
"Mom!" Patrick scolds, his face growing red. His mother only laughs and gathers the dirty dishes from the table.

Patrick retreats to his room, his phone greeting him to his ringtone as it vibrates on the askew sheets upon his bed. He opens the device and sees that Nia is calling. Patrick smiles and accepts the call.

"Hey, Star Girl," he beams as he holds the phone to his ear.
"Hey, Ghost Boy," she teases back. "What are you up to?"
"Nothing. You?" Patrick reciprocates.
"Kind of bored," Nia chuckles. "Have any plans today?"
"Yeah, I have to tune my guitar," Patrick groans dramatically. Nia laughs on the other line at his sarcastic humor. "Then, I have to put away my records and CDs."
"So, no," Nia giggles.
"It's like you're not even listening," Patrick vexes with a goofy grin. "In all seriousness, I have no plans. But we can change that!"
"Ooh, Buster has an idea?" Nia hums.
"Yes," Patrick smiles. "I believe I owe you a date? We can go anywhere you want today. And 'I Don't Know' nor 'I Don't Care' are options as they are not places."
"How about the nearest ice cream shop?" Nia suggests. "It's neither of those responses, and I would kill for a sundae right about now."
"As you wish," Patrick smiles. "I'll swing by and pick you up."
"Look at us," Nia laughs. "We're like a young couple in the sixties, having dates at ice cream parlors."
"The sixties didn't have cellphones, Witch," the boy chortles. It's enough to make Nia laugh at his correction.
"Might as well bring my thunder that you just stole when you come over."

***

Patrick enjoyed his drive with Nia, expecting her off-key harmonies with the hits on the radio. Despite her being out of tune, Patrick couldn't help but to join in on a few makeshift duets with his best friend. The windows are rolled down, a smile staying on Nia's face. Patrick's heart stutters at the sight, the gesture infecting him as well.

"Dude, where are we going?" Nia chuckles as she looks over at the blonde boy.
"To the ice cream shop," he states, his attention still fixed on the road.
"Buster, I think you passed it," the girl laughs.
"You're totally shitting me!"
"I shit you not," Nia cackles.
"Dammit!"
"It's okay! We're close to the mall and there's a Dairy Queen there. We can go there and maybe walk around or whatever," she suggests. Patrick eases to a stop at a red traffic light and looks over at the violet-eyed girl in his passenger seat.
"You sure?" Patrick asks, a frown tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Yeah," the girl reassures with a nod.
"Wow, day one of being your boyfriend and I'm already starting off bad," Patrick huffs with a hint of a chuckle.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to demote you to super best friend," Nia jokes. She takes Patrick's hand into her grasp and smiles at the boy. Patrick returns a weaker version of the gesture.

"You're fine, Buster," Nia reassures. "Besides, Dairy Queen sells a lot of stuff. I know you're a sucker for Orange Julius drinks."
"Yeah," Patrick chuckles weakly. His heart jumps as he remembers that Nia is holding his hand as he drives. He glances at their entangled hands, his smile growing a little more confident.

The couple reach their destination, easily locating the Dairy Queen structure among the collection of stores. They order their desired items and sit at an empty table. The two talk about anything and everything, almost as if their relationship hasn't changed at all.

"They're totally right," Nia laughs before taking a spoonful of chocolate sundae. "Date your best friend!"

Patrick laughs at her epiphany and sips at his citrus drink.

"I mean, we know each other very well," Nia starts to list, "we don't have to have those awkward beginnings, and if we ever get into a fight, we know how to settle it."
"Rock, Paper, Scissors, of course," Patrick jokes with a smirk. Nia laughs at the comment.

Instantly, her smile falls from her face and her violet eyes widen as she slouches in her chair.

"Oh, shit," she mumbles. Concern fills the blonde boy, his brow furrowing at the girl.

"What's wrong?" he asks.
"Tom is here," she huffs. "Don't look now!"
"He probably won't even notice us–"
"Knowing Tom, he will notice us. At least he'll notice me."
"Is he with someone?" Patrick asks. Nia nods, slight dejection claiming her features. "Hey, no long faces at this table. He's the one missing out."

"Look what the cat dragged in," the boy's voice chuckles as he approaches the couple's table. Patrick shoots a glare at the dark-haired boy. A girl his age is attached to Tom's hip, her clothes revealing her body, showing off her skin.

"So, what's it like in the friend zone, Buster?" Tom grins.
"I don't know, what's it like being a cheater?" Patrick spits back. Nia grasps onto Patrick's hand, squeezing it gently in an attempt to silently tell him to stop.

"Oh, Buster finally grew some balls, I see," the ex lover smirks.
"At least I'm not a coward like you."
"Patrick, please," Nia whimpers.
"I can't believe you left me for this sore loser," Tom scoffs.
"Last I remember, you left her," Patrick corrects. He eyes the girl attached to the menace's side. "By the looks of it, you may have lowered your standards. Ditching a prize for... her? We all know you can do better, Tommy."

Tom's face grows red as his smirk falls. To that, Patrick claims the triumphant smile as his own. Tom struggles to spit out a comeback, but they all know who had already won the battle.

Nia stifles a chuckle behind Patrick, quickly trying to occupy herself with her sundae.

"Nice chat, Tom," Patrick smiles innocently. "I don't wanna be in the way of your... date or whatever. Hopefully I don't see you around."

Tom shoots a glare at the blonde boy, escorting his replacement to another table further away from the new couple.

Nia bursts into laughter, her hand clamped over her mouth.

"Buster, that was—"
"Necessary?" Patrick smirks before taking a sip of Orange Julius. "A scientist wouldn't have to tell anyone that."
"I love us," the girl laughs. The two nick their disposable cups together as a mock toast.
"I love us, too," the boy snickers.

A/N:
I'm gonna be so real... it's been so long since I've touched this I kinda forgot where I was originally going... but hey uh I'll try my best to update a little more. In the meantime, read Spin For You by chaotic-panda bc holy frick it's a great read!!!

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