Patton groggily walked down the stairs that Sunday, and headed toward the kitchen. His mother was sitting at the island tapping away at the keys of her laptop with a small stack off paper and a coffee next to her.

Patton grabbed an apple from the fridge and started to walk out.

"Patton." She stopped him.

He froze and took a few steps backwards. "What?"

"Make sure you have your nice clothes clean." She stated not looking away from her screen.

"Why?" Patton asked automatically deflating. Any event where he would have to wear what his parents considered his 'nice clothes' was not a fun one.

"Your father is hosting one of his parties here tonight." She answered.

Patton held back the desire to groan in complaint. The word party isn't exactly the way he would describe his father's get togethers. It was just a bunch of men in tight suits, who only sometimes brought their wives along, talking about business and whether they want to go to the Bahamas or Rome for their next vacation. It was boring, and even though there were people there, he didn't feel the need to prove himself to any of them like his father wanted him to. "What time?"

"I believe he said it will start at 4:30." She replied picking up one of the papers and scanning over it before placing it down and typing again.

"Alright..." Patton replied not able to hide his discouragement.

She finally looked at him. "Now don't make that face." She went back to work almost right away. "It'll be over before you know it."

Not a quickly as you may think... Patton thought before leaving the room. He headed upstairs to his room and sat on the edge of his bed. He twirled the Apple in his hands, lost in his thoughts for a bit. I hate those parties... they always end up making me feel more alone than I already am... but I don't have a choice. Then he placed the small red fruit on his bedside table. He'd lost his appetite. Sometimes I wish I'd just disappear. He fell back across his bed and curled up, hugging his blankets.

He missed Logan...

-&-

Patton blinked awake to see the sun still shining in his room. He sat up, the blankets he'd been holding onto We're now in a stiff crumple next to him. He wasn't surprised he'd fallen asleep. He did that a lot when the lack of sleep he'd always get would catch up to him. He looked over to the clock.

3:15

He sighed. Sleeping didn't help the feeling churning in the bottom of his stomach. Come on Patton... he scolded himself. Stop being so over dramatic... like mom said it'll be over before you know it. The other voice in his head chimed in. Till the next one, and the one after that, and after that... he shook his head. It's not that bad... he told himself. Yes it is those people are so condescending. It makes me feel so... unwanted. He felt his body shaking slightly and hugged his arms around himself. There no use getting so upset over it you can't change it.... he opened his eyes again. And that's the problem. Being forced to do something you hate is one of the worst feelings ever...

He was snapped out of his mental panic attack by the sound of his phone ringing. He removed his arms and scooted over to his nigh table and read the caller ID.

He automatically smiled as he answered. "Hey Logan!"

"Hello Patton." He greeted back.

"You called at a perfect time." Patton tried to chuckle, but it kind of came out pathetically.

"Why?" Logan's tone was slightly worried. "Is there something wrong?"

"Oh no! I'm fine!" Patton tried to assure him. "I just um... I'm happy to have someone to talk to..."

"I see... well I guess then my timing was conveniently placed." Logan started. "Anyway, I apologize for not calling yesterday, but I found myself caught up in things. I assume you made it home safely?"

"Yeah I'm fine." Patton stated, but the feeling in the pit of his stomach made it feel a little wrong.

There was a slight pause on the other end of the phone. "You do not sound very happy Patton... what is wrong?"

"N-nothing!" Patton tried to exclaim but it came out quieter then he wanted. He had started shaking again. "I-I'm Fine."

"Patton please don't lie to me. Your voice is shaking. What's wrong why are you upset?" Logan pushed.

Patton paused. How can he see through me even through the phone? He laid down and curled up a bit again feeling tears finally roll down his cheeks. He sucked in a breath. "I don't know...I-it's stupid..."

"Obviously it isn't stupid if you're this upset..." Logan's voice sounded saddened. "Please talk to me."

"It's just..." Patton started. "My dad always has these parties for his work, and I hate them... everyone there always seems like they're judging me, and I-I just hate it!"

"Patton try to calm down, take deep breaths." Logan told him calmly as he heard his voice grow more desperate.

"Wh-what's wrong with me?" Patton couldn't stop shaking.

"Nothing, you're just having a little panic attack. I've seen enough of them in my day to know. It's normal when you're being forced into a situation you aren't comfortable with. Just breathe focus on my voice... everything is okay." Logan explained.

"B-but it's not even that big of a deal!" Patton said. I'm being pathetic.

"It is to you. You can't make it seem smaller then it is, that can make it worse. It's okay to be upset about it." Logan was still talking calmly.

Patton took a few deep breaths calming slightly. He tried to keep his self deprecating thoughts at bay and that helped more.

"Are you starting to feel better?" Logan asked.

Patton sat up rubbing his eyes with his sleeve. "Mhm..."

"Is there no way you can get out of this party?" Logan asked him.

"No." Patton laughed a bit, but didn't seem amused. "My father would never allow it."

"I don't suppose he would allow you to have someone over either?" Logan asked disappointedly like he already knew the answer.

"He'd kill us both..." Patton trailed off.

Logan sighed. "Can you last the night?"

"I think so. I mean I don't have much of a choice." Patton replied.

"Patton." There was a knock at his door. His mother's voice came through. "Assure you're ready, guests will be arriving soon."

"Logan, I have to go." Patton said trying to hide his returning sadness.

"Just try and remain calm, I'll see you tomorrow." Logan stated.

"Okay, bye Logan." Patton replied before slowly hanging up and starting to get ready.

-&-

Patton could hardly stand it anymore. His large living area, front hall, dinning room, and kitchen were full of men in suits and women in cocktail dresses. The glamorous array of pearled jewelry and golden cuff links may have been pleasing to some, but it only brought him misery. The only good thing about the parties were the food, and the fact his mother allowed him to have a glass or two of champagne... Which, despite the low alcohol content, was the only thing keeping him at bay. Even though the house was at a comfortable temperature, to him the room felt warm and cramped. The annoying murmuring of jumbled up useless conversations, an occasional pompous laugh, and light clanking of glasses filled his ears with displeasure.

He tried to avoid confrontation with anyone in order to not get into a conversation about business he had no interest in, or how he needs to be sure to not let the youth of his generation taint his ideals, and move forward to make his father proud.

Sure he wanted to make his father proud... but that seemed impossible at times...

He took another deep breath. Try to stay calm Patton... you'll see Logan tomorrow. He tried to focus on that point.

"Ah you must be Eric's son, Patton right?" A man holding a glass of something in his hand, and holding onto an elegant looking woman with the other, asked walking up to him in his place in the back of the living room.

The woman was clinging closely to him with a fondness in her eyes. At a closer look her attire was nice, but her makeup was thick and that as well as her hair looked like it was a sad attempt done by a child. She had no ring, so he supposed she wasn't not the man's wife.

"That's right, it's nice to meet you." Patton replied with a forced polite smile as he shook the man's hand.

The man had to pull his arm away from the woman in order to return his gesture. "Likewise."

The woman pouted at the man, but when ignored moved her attention to glaring at Patton.

You can see why he disliked these people...

His father soon joined the conversation. "Leo, I see you've met my son."

"I did, very polite." Who was revealed to be Leo stated. "I personally don't have children, but it's nice to know some young people can still act properly."

There it is... Patton though feeling slightly more uncomfortable with the conversation. Talking about the youth these days like they're something to be ashamed of...

"Yes well we tried to raise him the best we could." His father forced his 'at work' laugh.

Right raising me... Patton actually shuffled awkwardly that time. He hated this kind of conversation. The borderline lying to impress people, and for what? Some family image that in the larger span of things means nothing.

"Well it'll do well for when he takes over the company." Leo turned his attention back to Patton.

The woman still stood there impatiently and his father looked to him expectantly.

That was about the last he could take. Patton felt like physically shrinking away. He knew his father wanted him to take over the company, how it'd been in his family for generations, but he wanted nothing to do with it. He didn't know exactly what he wanted to do, but that wasn't it. He wanted to make a difference, and reach people far and wide. Not sit in an office waiting to make the next big 'executive decision for the company.' However, he didn't have the heart or courage to tell his father that. "Right." He replied straining his smile a little more. He wanted out. He needed out. He felt ten times as warm and queasy as he had before. "Could you excuse me for a moment?" He then turned and walked away, desperately pushing his way through people, and to the back door.

The door was a little stiff, and he had to kick it a little before it popped open.

He stepped out into the cool night atmosphere, making sure it closed behind him. Once out he leaned over panting slightly, seeing his desperate breaths form in the cold air. He then stood up straight on the large stone patio hugging his arms around him. It'll be over before you know it? Well not fast enough. Now that he was finally by himself, and calming he felt the tears form in his eyes. He sniffled and quickly wiped away one of the stray warm droplets that had rolled down his cheek. He tried to keep the rest of the tears at bay as he focused on his breathing like Logan told him to do. He stepped over and sat on the bench near him.

He suddenly heard the sound of what seemed to be footsteps coming from his backyard like someone was walking through the grass.

His head snapped up.

"Well looks like Peppy really isn't always so peppy." Ashton's voice sounded to his left and he looked closer to see him walking across the yard approaching him in the dark.

"Ashton?" Patton asked in complete surprise, and a little relief. He looked around in confusion. "Wh-why are you in my back yard?"

"Well I did just come over to see you, but when I went to the front door I saw there was sort of party going on, so my overwhelming instinct to avoid people took over and I decided to try and sneak in the back and find you, but I guess you met me halfway." He explained.

"Oh..." was all Patton said.

"I could be wrong..." Ashton spoke again after a short silence. "But usually people are happy at a party. Not sulking on a bench outside."

Patton couldn't help but feel a half smile twitch at his lips. "It's not my party, and I honestly have no interest. My dad wants me to go play perfect son to impress a bunch of people I couldn't care less about impressing. The thing is what he considers his perfect son is somebody who is completely not myself."

"Oh..." Ashton replied he got a little more serious when he saw the tears in Patton's eyes, but decided not to point them out. "And who is this person he wants you to be that's not you?"

Patton let off a chuckle, but didn't really sound amused. "Him."

Ashton sighed. "Yeah well I'm not the biggest fan of my old man either." He slumped down next to him. "But just because he's your dad Patton, doesn't mean he's always right. You don't have to be like him. And I hate to sound like a cheesy teenager from some tv drama, but we really aren't our parents..."

Patton felt an actual real smile form that time. "Thanks Ashton... I'm glad you came."

"All in a day's work." He replied sighing as he leaned back and put his arms behind his head.

Patton laughed a little at the action. It seemed like the first time that night he smiled for real.

"Patton?!" He heard someone call.

Said boy suddenly panicked and stood abruptly. "It's my mother. I'm dead if they know someone's here. Especially one they haven't approved of..." he muttered the last part quietly. "You have to hide!"

"Where?" Ashton asked watching him semi-oddly.

"I don't know, just go!" Patton gently pushed him back into the yard. He watched as Ashton ran around the side of the house.

Suddenly the back door opened and Patton turned around to see his mother standing there.

"There you are." She sighed seeming annoyed, but not necessarily at him, just in general. "You're father has been looking for you. What are you doing out here?"

"I..." he trailed off rubbing both his arms. The night air was starting to feel a bit chilled. "I needed some air."

She looked back inside the opened door for a moment, and then back at him. "Hm, well don't take too long you're father wants to speak with you, and you have to see all our guests off."

"Just a few minutes." Patton assured her.

She didn't say anything and instead just went back inside.

-&-

After that Patton had said good bye to Ashton, and had to uncomfortably say goodbye to all his father's guests. He also felt the liberty of receiving a small lecture on the rudeness of disappearing when there were guests around.

Now he'd just taken a shower, and gotten out of his stuffy clothes, when he saw something still hanging from his bedroom doorknob.

Logan's jacket.

He grabbed it and then walked over and sat on his bed. Patton brought it to his face.

It smelled like Logan.

He laid down getting under the covers, and holding the piece of clothing close to him.

He slept well that night...

Hey guys, first off this was like SUPER long XD what? Idk I just kept going I guess, I'm sure you don't mind. Also I know it hasn't been too long since I last updated, but there is a reason why this wasn't up sooner then it is. (Despite Wattpad deleting half of what I already wrote, but that didn't help either.) The true explanation is too long to put in a note like this, but it involves something pretty bad happening at school, and the complete ignorance of certain staff and the way they chose to handle it. I'm not at all afraid or resistant to talk about it if you guys really want to know, but like I said it's kind of a long story. Let's just say It triggered a lot of my mental issues, which by the way were getting a lot better before this incident, and these past two weeks have been hard. Anyway I hope you liked this part, feedback is always appreciated. Vote and comment, bye!
~Hannah😋