Patrick doesn't have to say it out loud for you to know that's what this is: just a rebound. Just a way to get over the fact Tashi doesn't want him anymore, and Art wants Tashi so bad that he's willing to cut the both of you out of his life to get her. It's pathetic, really... but you're all being a little pathetic right now.

You're using his grief over Art and Tashi to take your place in his bed like you've always wanted to. You've been in love with him for years—pining after the one boy you can't have. You always told yourself it was because both of you were being respectful of your friendship, but the truth is he never wanted you in that way until after Tashi's injury.

And Patrick is using that love you have for him to keep himself distracted. Trying to drown out his feelings in the sound of your sweet mewls. Always so eager to please him when he comes to visit Stanford. But it's not really to see you. Just a chance to catch a glimpse of Art or Tashi when he's traversing the campus to your dorm. Insisting you eat in the dining hall rather than going out, because maybe he'll catch sight of a familiar red snapback and blonde curls.

And it hurts, it really does, the way he goes all distant after he's had his way with you. It happened last night; rolling over to face the wall and knocking out without so much as a goodnight or an offer to clean you up. It's a little pathetic of you, but you've resigned yourself to the scraps of himself he's willing to give.

"Earth to Patrick." You reach out, snapping your fingers in front of his eyes. Back in the cafeteria again, his food mostly untouched and his gaze fixated on the door. It's his last full day here before he goes back on tour, and you don't want to spend it sitting silently in Stanford's dining hall.

His eyes dart up to you, a hint of guilt flashing across his face. It's one you've grown used to—the one that tells him he zoned out again and forgot about the person sitting with him. The one that just screams I wish you were Tashi. Or Art.