Four Years

Pete's POV

I glanced around backstage one final time for Rachel. She wasn't back here at all. This wasn't like her. You know, to miss saying good luck to me and giving me a kiss and all that. I was kinda worried about her.

I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and decided to text her.

To: Rae.
hey are you ok? youre not here and im kinda worried.
May 8, 10:02 pm.

I sighed and handed my phone to Gabe, "If she texts back, tell her I'm on stage."

"Alright. Blow the faces off those motherfuckers," He said, stuffing my phone in his back pocket. He gave me a hug. It wasn't a Rachel hug, but it was a nice hug. Gabe's hugs were nice.

I gave him a half smile before grabbing my bass and running out on stage.

*

The entire time on stage, my mind was on her. Every intro of a song led me back to her. Where the hell could she have been? Who was she with?

I sighed and left the stage after thanking the crowd for coming out. I handed my bass to Diaz. She still wasn't back here.

I walked over to Gabe. He looked at me and shook his head, "She never texted back."

"That's not like her," I said, furrowing my eyebrows together. Seriously, where the hell was she? She couldn't have been with any member of the other bands because she wasn't even here when they played. She wasn't here the entire night.

Maybe she just fell asleep on the bus or something. Yeah, that was probably it.

***

Rachel's POV

I woke up in Alex's bunk. I had a pounding headache and an overwhelming feeling of regret and guilt.

I sat up, clutching the blanket to my chest tightly. I was alone in the bunk. Alex left me to go play, I'm assuming. I grabbed my phone from out of my pants that were scattered on the floor. I had five new texts. And it was...oh, my God, it was midnight. I missed Fall Out Boy. I missed saying good luck to Pete. Fuck.

I got dressed quickly and stumbled out of the bunk area.

"Good morning, sleepy head," Alex smirked, shoveling a spoonful of cereal into his mouth.

"You," I glared. "I don't even want to talk to you."

He just held the smirk on his face, all while eating his cereal. I wanted to smack the bowl out of his hand and smack him across the face. In fact, I was gonna do it.

I walked over and smacked the bowl out of his hand, watching as it flew and landed, the milk and Lucky Charms going everywhere. I smirked and smacked him across the face. He spit out the Lucky Charms that were in his mouth.

Slightly satisfied, I left the bus. I ran into the venue and ran down the hallway to the FOB dressing room.

I took a deep breath in and entered the room. All eyes floated to me as I stepped foot in the room.

Pete's back was to the door as he undressed. Andy nudged him in the side, causing him to look at him. Andy then pointed to me, his eyes never leaving mine. Pete, obviously confused, turned around.

His face froze. He just stood there, staring at me. I messed up.

I slowly walked over to him, my gaze never leaving him. I gave a weak smile and a slight shrug. "I'm sorry," I whispered.

He didn't say anything. All he did was pull me in for a hug. I slowly wrapped my arms around him and laid my head on his shoulder.

***

Pete's POV

Rachel finally showed up. Two hours later. I wanted to ask her where she was and what happened and all of that, but I wasn't going to.

"Hi," I smiled at her as she picked her head up off my shoulder. I placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"I'm really sorry, Pete," She said as she pulled away. "I just - "

"Shh, I don't wanna know," I said, grabbing her hand. "All I wanna know is are you hungry?"

She gave me a confused look, furrowing her cute little eyebrows together, "What?"

"Are you hungry?" I asked again, grinning a bit. "There's a diner down the road and I wanna know...are you hungry?"

"Are you asking me on a date, Mr. Wentz?" She grinned. Finally, a real smile. That's the first one in a few days.

Ever since Philly, she hasn't been the same. And it worries me. She won't talk to me about it. I guess she thinks I'll get mad or something. She should know better. I don't get mad at her for anything that she does.

"Hey, guys, we're going out to eat. We'll be back soon," I said to the rest of the guys in the room. They all nodded.

"Without a shirt?" Rae giggled, handing me my shirt.

I just grinned and rolled my eyes, slipping the shirt on. I grabbed my hoodie, pulling that on. I took her hand in mine again and walked out of the room and down the hallway.

"So, I'm really, really sorry I wasn't there tonight," Rachel said softly as we walked out of the venue. Really? I thought I said I didn't wanna know.

I laughed and shook my head, "Rae, I said I don't wanna know. It's fine. Gabe was there."

"Aww, did he kiss you and hug you to fill the void?" She giggled, looking down at the pavement as we walked.

"Yeah, but he's not as good as kissing as you are," I joked, causing her to laugh again. God, I loved her laugh. And her smile. And just her in general. "You know, how did I get so lucky?"

"That was random," She said, staring straight ahead.

"I know, but I was just thinking," I replied, staring straight at her. I noticed little goosebumps on her arms. She was cold. I stopped, let go of her hand, and took off my jacket. I handed it to her. She took it, smiling. She pulled it on, then slipped her hand right back in mine.

"I think the better question would be, how the fuck did I get so lucky? Seriously, I don't deserve you," She forced out a laugh.

That made me think. She didn't deserve me? How could she not deserve me? I had a feeling that was about what happened in Philly. A part of me wished she would tell me what happened, and another part of me wished she would just keep quiet about it.

We walked in to the small diner. It was actually pretty busy for midnight. Wait, these were kids who came to the show.

I laughed to myself, causing Rae to glance over at me. I just shook my head. She shrugged.

"Table for two?" A girl about mid-twenties asked, not even bothering to look up from the two menus she was holding.

"Uh, yeah," Rae nodded.

"Follow me," The girl sighed, leading us past a bunch of fans. I smiled at them as we walked by. She set down our menus at a small, two person booth, and then walked away. Someone clearly hated her job.

"Well, Pete, seems like everyone who was at the show tonight, is here right now," Rae giggled, glancing over my shoulder at the staring fans. "They're so adorable. All of them."

I laughed and looked over my shoulder, waving to all the staring fans. They all smiled and waved back. I turned back around, smiling at Rae, who was looking down at her little menu. She was so beautiful.

She looked back up at me. She caught me staring. "What?" She asked, grinning a bit, showing off her beautiful, white teeth.

"Nothing," I smiled, shaking my head and looking back down at the menu.

"You're a strange person," She muttered, probably still grinning. "Jesus fucking Christ, why am I so cold?"

I looked up at her, "You're cold? Even with my hoodie on?"

"Yes. I hate always being cold," She pouted, folding her arms across her chest.

"Scoot over," I said, getting up.

"What?"

"Scoot over," I laughed, pushing her over a bit as I sat down beside her. She smiled and cuddled into my side, resting her head on my shoulder. "Better?"

"A little," She whispered, grabbing my hand with hers underneath the table. She rubbed her thumb on the back of my hand, causing my stomach to go crazy. I loved how she made me feel. Even after four years.

"I love you," I mumbled, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head.

She sat up a bit and pressed her lips against mine. "I love you, too."