AU || Cairo Lucia Santiago is on break from university. Bradley Will Simpson wants to get his big break in the music industry. Together, they go on a roadtrip around the UK, where they busk their hearts out and discover more about their lost selves...
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📌 Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Instead of looking at the area from the top of the lighthouse, Brad and I decided to look at the top of the lighthouse from the hood of his car.
"I guess that means you already know one of my fears. I feel embarrassed."
"Hey, don't be. Having a fear is completely normal, even if people say that we should face them and no matter how big or small they are."
"Thanks. I'm sorry we couldn't get to the top because of me."
"It's okay. Looking at the lighthouse from here is already fine. It's not the same, but it still feels good, anyway."
"You sure?" Brad asked, then I nodded. After he shot me a sad smile, I proposed to compromise.
"Hear me out. I have a crazy idea, but you can tell me if you're fine with doing it or not. I won't take it personally nor force you to do it, okay?"
"Okay. Tell me."
"If you tell me the reason why you're scared of heights, I'll tell you why I had a panic attack earlier?"
Brad shot me a curious look, to which I responded with a shrug, as he thought to himself.
"Are you alright with that, though? Personally, I'm ready to say why I'm scared of heights, but what about you? I don't want you to feel like you're forced to tell me why you had a panic attack just because I told you why I fear what I fear."
"I'm sure, Brad. Plus, a philosopher once said, 'This may be the last time I'll ever see you, so, if you're worried about being a bother, this will be your last chance, so you—"
"—should be more worried about how you're going to make it count.' I'm not a philosopher, Cai, but I admire how you quoted me perfectly," Brad said, making us laugh to ourselves.
"Okay. Well, here goes nothing," Brad said, then he slightly twisted his body so that he was facing me, a sign that he was intrigued to tell me his story.
"I was 8. My family was visiting the town where my mother used to live, then we had a picnic by the bridge. While we were there, my mom dared us to jump to the river below for a little swim, and, I did, but little did I know that it would break my ankle, so, yeah, ever since, I was scared of heights. It would send tingles up my spine every time."
"Well, at least yours is valid; it stems from childhood trauma. I'm not even sure if mine is."
"Aw, come on, you said it yourself: fears are conpletely normal. If it makes you scared or if it gives you this uncomfortable feeling, it's valid. But, if it will help you, I promise that I won't judge you, whatever that is," Brad said, then I sighed before looking at him.
"Yellow by Coldplay. It was the song my ex-girlfriend associated with me. I would play it whenever I missed her, whenever we would go out together, or just anytime, really, as long as the occasion fits. But, ever since it was over between us, I never listened to that song anymore. I can't bare all the emotions I have to deal with whenever I hear that song. Unfortunately, what happened between us still hurts me up to this day," I said, and when I looked at Brad, he immediately wiped a tear of mine.
