LIKE... A YEAR AND A HALF AGO…

God.

Things were so easy back then.

There was no worrying about failing college, or magical murder cults, or anything else. It was just a normal, fun summer night.

With the Fourth of July on the horizon, preparations for the patriotic holiday were in full swing. American flags were strung about, and some vendors set-up tents selling fireworks, food, and so on. Everything was so colorful as Tia and I walked around the town.

We did this often- walking around Pigeonburg. We’d go out on the town, window shopping, and just take in the gorgeous scenery. We’d seen these sights most of our lives, and yet we never got bored when we were together. Soon we found ourselves lurking through some of the smaller stores around.

“Alright look, all I’m saying is Made in Heaven is the best Queen album.” I jeered, before putting the vinyl back, and moving on to the next.

Next to me, Tia rolls her eyes before snidely commenting, “Blake, you’re on crack if that’s your favorite Queen album.”

“Oh, crack is wild, considering it was the swan song of one of the absolute best singers to ever do it.”

“Yeah, okay but their best songs, i.e. the Bohemian Rhapsody, Under Pressure, and that Crazy Little Thing called Love.”

I rolled my eyes, playfully annoyed. Music was always a point of contention between us. Something we butted heads on frequently, had turned into a bit of a joke.

“Says the jazz girl.” I muttered with a playful smirk.

I heard a quiet “mph…”, before feeling a smack right into the back of my head. I recoil away in pain.

“Ow!” I shouted in the vinyl store, before glaring back at Tia.

“That’s on you kid. Don’t you dare harp on jazz fusion.” she cheekily remarks. Tia’s attention would soon fall on her phone again as we walked out. I remember her checking it often. Distracting herself, I guess.

After grabbing some hot dogs for dinner, we both headed for our hangout spot, a small park overlooking the town, accessible only by the Skylift- a small metal car that serves as our ride to the top. It was here my heart started to pound.

I was getting nervous.

When we got to the top of the hill, me and Tia climbed off. The bustling little seat of the Skylift continued on its never-ending loop. I look up at the night sky. Most of the time when you’re up here, you can barely see Pigeonburg because of the fog. but on this night, things were crystal clear. All of the vibrant neon signs and streetlights below created a breathtaking scene. Above us, the night sky was blanketed with millions of stars. We were so close, it felt like I could reach up and grab a handful of them.

Everything was perfect.

Too perfect.

The top of the mountain consisted of a small park with various benches and tables that provided a beautiful overlook of the town below. It even housed a small gift shop for Skylift merchandise.

Tia and I ended up sitting on the sturdy wooden fence, our legs hanging over the mountain below. I felt myself growing more and more nervous. Tia had wanted to talk to me about something, just as I did. After all these years, I was finally ready to tell her how I felt. Weeks had gone by, and we had both begun to act strange around each other. I would get butterflies when I saw her, and she’d awkwardly smile, not saying much as she stayed on her phone. I had heard from a source that Tia had feelings for me and was only waiting for me to make the first move.

My palms were sweaty, and I kept losing myself to my own whirling anxiety. I could barely look at her. We just sat there, silently admiring the view. Tia seemed anxious too. She regularly kept checking her phone, as if she was waiting for something. Me perhaps.

I guess Tia must’ve noticed my anxiousness, because eventually she looked over at me, giving me that half-smile.

“Blake, you okay man?”

At that moment, my heart sank like the Titanic. I took one last breath, readying myself to let my thoughts out.

“...”

I was frozen in shock. My chest tightened. My heart started beating so fast, it felt like a Roger Taylor drum solo. Tia gives a confused look, awaiting my response. Wait when did we get this close?? I swear she sat down at least a foot away from me, but here she is with her leg against mine.

"I…"

The silence was deafening as I just couldn't finish my sentence. My throat dried up like a desert. What was probably just a few moments, felt like an endless loop of mental torment. After a certain point, my stress boiled over. I needed to get out of here. I didn’t care anymore, I just wanted to get away from the situation. My mind blurred, panicking as I tried to figure a way out. Luckily for me Tia’s phone rings.

“Hey, can you give me one second?! Let me take this call really quickly, I’ve been waiting for this.” she stammered, still confused about my behavior.

I get up, scratching my head. Perfect opportunity to leave.

“You know Tia I’ve actually gotta get going, but I'll tell you later alright?”

Tia looked up at me with those big eyes, almost panicked.

“Blake...”

I give her one long look, before bolting away in an embarrassed sprint, her voice fading into nothing, replaced with the sound of my own panicked breath. That was the last time we talked before I left for college.

* * *

PRESENT DAY

That night still haunts me to this day. Every time I see Tia, I think of the memory.

Her face looking at me right before I ran away.

I was a coward. There’s nothing else to it.

Thinking about it more makes me miss what we used to have. Just two really good friends hanging out after class, doing homework together, and chilling on the weekends.

I feel another heartache coming on. I’ve replayed the scenario close to a million times it seems like. It’s like a demon that just doesn’t want to go away. One that eats at me as I toss and turn at night. I’ve always felt a sense of loneliness when sleeping, but last night felt more sour than usual. I exhale, still lying in bed with my eyes open. I don’t have the energy, nor desire to get out of bed right now.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“Blake! Get your ass down here right now!”

Dad's gruff, angry tone shoots adrenaline through my body, scaring me out of bed. I bolt out of bed and hobble downstairs, nearly tripping in the process. Somehow, my body feels worse today then yesterday. Probably because I forgot to take something.

As I stumble into the living room, I see Mom and Dad stood in front of the TV. Packed bags are scattered across the coffee table.

Mom turns to me, her phone held to her ear. "Yes. No, I appreciate you reaching out, I'll get this sorted out with him. Thank you."

Mom clicks her phone and lets her hand fall to her side.

"That was one of your professors, Mrs. Brandon. She's a good friend, and just told me you've not been at class for two weeks. Two weeks Blake?! What in the hell have you been doing?! Skipping class?? Getting into fights?! It's like high school all over again!"

"I-..."

I look at Mom and Dad as they give me a disappointed glare. I feel like a caged animal. I lean against the wooden banister, but I may as well be trapped in a corner that never ends.

I turn looking away from them, only to feel a guilty sting from seeing the dinner dishes in the sink.

Dad turns towards them, noticing my gaze.

He crosses his arms, “You forget something last night?”

I knew this was coming, which Is why I spent the car ride home trying to think of an excuse. An excuse that I seem to have now completely forgotten.

“Yeah uhh…” I grab the back of my neck, “Sorry guys. I had gotten caught up hanging out with Stevie, and just lost track of time.” I say, trying to downplay it.

“Well, you’re here now Blake. I feel like this is a more than opportune time to talk about responsibility, and how you seem to be struggling with it lately. You’re Dad and I want to know why you came home and got into a fight. Not whatever silly little cult story you told us the other day."

I feel my throat clamp. I look down, feeling a rush of heat flood me. Cold chills run down my spine, and my face flashes with a red-hot embarrassment. Mom and Dad stand here, their gazes burning a hole right through me. No matter what I do or what I say, it won't be enough.

I gulp, seeing no other option.

"I dropped out." I mumble.

Both of my parents' jaws fall to the floor. Mom's eyes go wide, her eyebrows rising as high as they can. Dad turns away, rubbing his face agitated.

“Are you kidding me Blake?!” Mom asks in a furious shock. “Why are you doing this?!"

You've done some reckless things in the past, but this right here? Blake this might just be the stupidest thing you’ve gotten yourself into! You know what? I don’t want to hear your answer for why you dropped out, because I feel like I already know."

"Gale…" Dad intervenes, raising his arm between us.

She snaps at him, "No Everett, He needs to hear this," before looking back at me. Mom's eyes pierce right through my heart.

"You got bored right? You probably thought you could go through college like you did in high school right Blake? Just trucking on by, partying nights away without a care in the world. Then, once things get too tough you drop everything and come running home. You know, you're Dad and I worked our asses off for years, saving up money so we could give you the education we never had. Blake The whole point of you going to school there was to get away from here. Start somewhere new, somewhere fresh, and you blew it. I’m not kidding when I say, this might just be the most selfish thing you’ve ever done.”

Mom pauses her rant for a moment. I hear my breathing start to pick up. That panicked clench my teeth breath echos through the room. The air feels heavy enough to crush me. I almost wish it would.

Dad finally chimes in, "Blake look at us."

My neck feels stuck. I feel it creak as I force myself to look up at them. My hands continue to jitter uncontrollably.

Dad shakes his head, "You were there for close to two years, what happened?"

"I couldn't handle it."

"You couldn't handle it. All that time and energy, and you couldn't handle it?"

I throw my hands up defensively, exhaling with a fiery frustration. "Yes! It was just classes after classes. Assignments after assignments. Do you know how many times I switched majors?!"

"And you didn't think to come to us?!" Dad pleads.

"I couldn't find it in me to! It was all you two talked about growing up! 'Gotta go to college! Get a degree! Blah Blah!' I didn't see any other choice! I only went because you two wanted me to, and I just couldn't say no!"

My parents are taken aback. They both look at each other, almost bewildered. I sigh in relief. All that... years of pent-up anger finally letting it out.

"Blake, you realize how much time and money you've wasted right?! Our connections we had at that school for you are gone now, because you couldn't handle it." Mom pauses her tangent, sighing as she turns away.

She looks down, shaking her head as she puts her arms on her hips. "All for you to come home and almost get yourself killed in what- a wrestling match?! This isn't high school. You can't be spending all of your time running around causing trouble like you used to do when you were in hi g h scho ol. Yo u kn o w, yo -. . . "

I space out as Mom is talking. My eyes have drifted to the TV, as something catches me off guard. I grab the remote, and start to turn the volume up, cutting Mom off. She sighs frustrated. but I Ignore it.

My attention is drawn to the lady on the news, as a familiar radio show logo pops up on the screen...

“... -and on to ou r ne xt st ory Tom, Pigeonburg Radio was taken over late last night by a mysterious radio show called: Benny in the Bin. Benny, the eccentric radio host, began looping a mysterious message."

The news switches to a screenshot of the Benny in the Bin logo- a crudely drawn

“...Ladies and gentlemen, it’s your favorite radio host, B-b-benny! And you’re listening to 104.7 ‘Benny in the Bin’! Got some special news for you tonight, as the Cappa De Cloak Fraternity has got an exciting event planned! Come on down to Pigeonburg Speedway on October 31st, at 8PM to see what just might be the coolest race ever! Watch as local resident Blake Autumn goes up against our very own Mitch Mcdonall! If you like loud engines, greasy food, and family fun entertainment, you’ll love this spectacle! This is one Halloween event you don’t want to miss for the world! We here at Benny in the Bin, and oh- also the Cloaks are proud to present to you...

"THE P-P-P-PIGEONBURG 300!"

"Anyways I’ll be playing some more great music in a bit, so stay tuned! Also, Rachel, can you please return my calls?! I miss you.”

The screen fades back to the news reporter, who readjusts her thick rimmed glasses. “That recorded message looped until about noon this morning, where it has since begun playing an assortment of music from jazz to 90'a hip hop. Technicians are still trying to figure out how to turn off this newly formed station, but it seems like it's here to stay for now.”

I turn the TV off, my jaw on the floor.

I don’t have words to say. Mitch actually went with Stevie’s stupid race idea. How in the world am I supposed to prepare for a race?!

A loud, ear-ringing silence grows in the room as my head sinks. The heater sounds like it could make my ears bleed. I feel Mom and Dad staring machine gun rounds at me.

I look back to the TV, before turning to my parents, "G-Guys I can explain!"

Mom points at me, shaking her head. "No. I don't want to hear it."

She pauses again, choking on her own tears. After a moment, Mom looks back at me.

“Blake, if you want to continue to play your little games and live in a fantasy outside of the real world, then you can do it somewhere else. We will always love you, but I can't tolerate a liar.”

As they both blankly look at me, I can’t respond. My throat clamps up, tighter than ever before.

I run to my room, closing the door behind me before falling to the ground. My head falls into my arms.