It was band practice day, and Patrick suddenly remembered that he still hadn't really told Joe or Andy that he was staying with Pete at the moment, and then realised that with only a week until they left for tour, he wouldn't really even need to tell them in the first place. It was stupid that it wasn't something he wanted to admit, but it did take a bit of pressure off his shoulders that he could just tell a white lie about it and only really carry it out for the next week.
They only had three more practices and then the tour was starting. God, that was a terrifying shot. They hadn't even finalised their setlist yet. There were about 3 drafts, but nothing was finalised, and that really didn't ease Patrick's nerves about the entire situation. Hopefully that drama was gonna get sorted out today, and then they could do a couple of run-throughs before the tour.
God, he hoped he could keep it together.
His adventures around karaoke bars with Pete were getting better, and he was singing to 100 people the other night, but it was still a long way off the 9000 that had bought tickets to that first show. He would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous, but Pete had promised him that he was doing really, really well, and that the Riviera show was gonna go down great.
If only Patrick believed him. Not that he didn't want to, he wanted to believe him more than anything in the world, but there were signs. Like the little smile-grimace thing that his psych lady did when he asked if she thought he was gonna be able to cope on tour. She always told him he'd be fine, but that split second of a facial expression told otherwise. And the fact that their manager was making a worst-case-scenario plan in case of disaster during the set didn't help either.
Patrick tried to push the thoughts from his mind and finished getting ready for practice, swapping his sweatpants for jeans and an old sweater for a t-shirt and a cardigan, with a hat to finish it all off. Looking somewhat presentable always gave him some confidence, but it still didn't shift that uncertainty in his stomach.
Really, the only thing he wanted to sort out his nerves was a beer, but he supposedly knew better than that now. He'd proven on multiple occasions that he had no self control and needed a babysitter at all times around alcohol. So it was just this annoying state of anxiety that he was going to have to live with during this band practice.
Pete was already down in the basement, setting up, stocking the fridge, making sure it was all in order for rehearsal, and smiled when Patrick came down. Patrick forced a smile back and walked over to his guitar, pulling the strap over his shoulders and letting his hands find their familiar spots on the strings. He wanted a beer more than anything right now, but music would have to do.
Pete had been friends with Patrick long enough now to notice his nervous-playing, and paused when he heard it. He closed the fridge after putting the last few cans of pepsi inside, and wandered over to the playing space to grab his bass.
If Patrick was gonna play his stressed-out, nervous music, he sure as hell wasn't going to do it alone.
Pete didn't recognise the song, it was clear that Patrick was just improvising, so Pete tried to improvise too and find a bass line that it along with it. It wasn't easy, the song was quite sporadic and changing, but he did his best.
Patrick's facial expression changed as soon as the other instrument joined the song, and he glanced up at his friend with a confused look. Pete just smiled back comfortingly, and flicking the cord away from his feet so he could wander a little while he played. Patrick was still trying to comtemplate what was going on when Joe and Andy arrived, and Andy came straight to the drumkit to join the little impromptu nervous performance that was currently going on.
Joe was the last to join, but before long the four of them were playing some random song that was being led by Patrick's guitar. It started as just nervous playing, but as the pressure grew, and the three other band members started to rely on him keeping the same kind-of melody, his hands began to shake and he abruptly stopped, beads of sweat running down his red face.
"You alright?" Joe asked, confused.
"Y-Yeah, fine, just gotta go grab some water." Patrick didn't hesitate in quickly running up the stairs hiding in the kitchen, away from prying eyes. He fumbled through the refrigerator, grabbing a bottle of water and quickly pouring some of down his throat, only concentrating on making sure he was still breathing and hoping that the room might stop spinning soon.
Pete was the next in the kitchen, and by then Patrick had sunk to the floor and was still trying to keep his breath regular, but by the time Pete arrived, he was hyperventilating and had lost all the colour from his face.
He swept in and gently patted Patrick's back, and offered more of the water. Patrick wheezed a couple of times that he was okay, but it was becoming apparent to both of them that he was not. But siltting together on the floor and taking sips of the water helped, and by the time that Joe and Andy came up, the two were just sitting in silence on the floor, really.
"Is everything alright?" Joe asked.
"Yeah, all good." Patrick quickly pulled himself up and dusted himself off. "Let's just get started."
Pete pulled himself up as well, and the four returned to the basement to work on their setlist. It was good to sit together and go through it, but everyone couldn't help but notice Patrick's distance from the conversation.
All Patrick was thinking about was how badly he wanted a beer.
Happy birthday to the one and only Patrick Stump! Honestly this day should be a national holiday omg. Also I'm seeing the The Killers tonight and i'm so frickin excited so yay.
Thanks for all the continued support, I love y'all and I think y'all are really gonna end up on an emotional rollercoaster with this book but it'll be great fun and I really appreciate every comment and stuff.
Have a great day kiddos!
~Zoe