separation//[t.j.]

barricade.

"mom, we gotta get going!" riley urged me, as i finished evening my eyeliner. i giggled slightly.

"ry, we have plenty of time." i assured them. they groaned loudly.

"no, not if we want barricade! if we don't leave in five minutes, we'll end up in the way back and we'll barely be able to see the band."

"what's so important about seeing the band? you got a crush on them or something?"

"uhm, gross! you know i only like girls. but there's something about the singer dude that seems so familiar. i figured if i got to see him up close i'd understand."

"fair enough." i said, zipping up my makeup bag. "let me get my converse on and then we can drive to the venue."

i exited the bathroom, turning off the light. riley was bouncing up and down, talking about how exited they were because this was their first show in over two years. they also explained that the show we were going to was their hometown show, and apparently hometown shows were superior. i just shook my head at riley's excitement, as they talked about the band like it was their entire life.

we left the house, and riley brought one of their cds for the ride.

"this is scaled and icy. that's their newest album. it's so good." riley informed me. i nodded in acknowledgement.

they put in then cd, as i pulled out of the driveway. a sound that resembled something of a rainforest filled the call as riley broke out a smile and began singing.

"i can feel my saturation, leaving me slowly!" they sang. i smiled. riley resembled their father in so many ways. not only did they take after their father in looks, but riley could really, really sing. just like tyler.

we made it to the venue, and there was barely anyone outside yet. i took that as a good sign, considering riley was quietly cheering.

"good job, mom! we made it in perfect time." they told me. i smiled, as we got out of the car and walked towards the entrance.

we had to wait for quite some time, but fortunately, we were able to get barricade. this made riley ecstatic, and personally i was too. i loved live music, and it made me even happier to be able to attend a concert with my favorite person in the world.

a little time skip

"mom, i'm freaking the fuck out. we're about to see them. am i dreaming?" riley ranted. i chuckled.

"first of all, watch your language. i know you're excited, but no you're not dreaming." i replied.

"ha, sorry mom. didn't mean to cuss." they told me. i shook my head.

"you're fine, sweetie."

"i hope they open with good day. i will literally die."

"i doubt you'll die, but okay."

suddenly, the lights went dim. the crowd around us went wild as we all directed our attention to the stage.

two men came out on stage, and everyone began to scream and cheer. i assumed this was the band. riley was screaming as well, and i couldn't help but smile.

the opening to, what i assumed was good day, started and riley shook me.

"MOM IT'S GOOD DAY!" they told me.

the singer began to sing as everyone sung along with him. he was wearing a ski mask, but something was seriously familiar about him. just like riley had said. but...what man did we both know?

as we got further into the concert, both band members took off the masks and my heart immediately dropped.

no.

"riley, what is the singer's full name?" i asked my child.

"that's tyler joseph. isn't he cool?" riley replied. i felt my face get really hot as tears brimmed my eyes. my breathing got really short, and eventually i felt like i couldn't even do that.

"yeah.." i trailed, although i knew i was too quiet for riley to hear me. my sight got really blurry and i knew something bad was going to happen.

but before i could even say anything more, i collapsed onto the cold ground.