Time Stood Still

Cashby (Edited Version)

*Cashby*

(Austin Carlile + Alan Ashby)

-&-

I fondled with my clock. The clock on my left wrist. It was green, with blue numbers.

I remember learning the lesson over our clocks in second grade vividly.

"Today, we'll learn about our clocks." Mrs. Conworth tapped her own. "These clocks are here for a reason. They tell us the time we meet our soulmate, or our clockmate."

"Why do they go backwards then, Miss?" I asked my teacher.

"Raise your hand next time, Alan. They go backwards, because they count down the time until you see your clockmate's face for the first time. When you do see their face, they beep in sync and you'll know for sure that he or she is your clockmate."

I sighed and petted my cat, Sophie's, hair. The black and white kitty purred and snuggled in my lap. I took off the band name bracelets I wore on my wrists. It's not like I ha anything to hide, I just didn't want a panic attack from overthinking just from glancing down and seeing the green clock. I read the blue numbers.

58 minutes

I sighed again and reluctantly got up. I pulled on a Ramones t-shirt and some black skinny jeans with a black Nirvana jacket. I laced up my old, ratty, black Converse and headed into my apartment's kitchen to see my roommate, Shayley.

"Hey, Shay." I greeted him.

"Hey, Al. Isn't today the special day?" Shayley asked me. I nodded my head slowly and Shayley beamed at me. "Are you ready?"

"I hope so." I muttered.

"Cheer up, man. Be happy for a happy day!"

I chuckle and caved in. "Fine. Can you at least wish me luck?" I asked him.

"Of course! Oh! Do you think he'll be tall? And skinny? Or will he be fat?" Shayley questioned.

"Shay, calm down."

"Whatever. Good luck."

I walked over to Sophie and kissed her head before screaming from the door, "Wish me luck, Shay!"

"What?! I already did! Twice!"

"Third time's a charm!"

-&-

I held my grey umbrella, letting the soft rain hit the top it instead of the ginger mess I call hair. I walked down a street in downtown, wandering. I checked my clock.

7 minutes, 16 seconds

Oh wow. Wasn't it fifty minutes about five seconds ago? I looked down at my black Ramones shirt and my black ripped up jeans, watching the rain hit the sidewalk. I kept walking down, checking my surroundings - seeing as this was my first time in this part of the city. I glanced at my wrist.

3 minutes, 1 second

I ran a hand through my orange locks and sighed. I looked down at my phone, oblivious to my surroundings.

Until I heard the honk.

I looked up to see an eighteen-wheeler coming at me, honking rapidly. I gasped. I wanted to move, but I couldn't. I looked down at my clock.

7 seconds

They lied to me. This isn't the clock for my soulmate. This is the clock for my death. My mind went into overdrive as I was pushed to the ground by a heavy object.

I opened my eyes to see a guy staring at me. He had chocolate brown hair that swooped crossed his forehead and covered the top of the tattoos on his neck. His mesmerising brown orbs were staring at me. He donned a purple Slipknot muscle shirt, black skinny jeans, and a black jacket.

We were both breathing heavily, but I was brought back to reality when the beeping noise started.

Beep, beep.

Beep, beep.

Beep, beep.

Beep, beep.

0 seconds

He got off me and stood up, pulling me with him. I felt the water dripping off of my soaked jacket.

"H-Here, mine's dry. Well, not as wet as yours." My clockmate handed me his jacket.

"Ar-Aren't you cold, though?" I asked him.

"I'd rather be cold than to have my soulmate shivering." He replied.

I felt my cheeks burn and I knew my flesh had to be darker than my hair. "I-I'm A-Alan."

"I'm Austin. Now give me your jacket. Have mine." I slipped off the wet hoodie and replaced it with Austin's. I practically drowned in it, seeing as how much taller Austin was than me.

"Wh-Where's my umbrella?" I asked, looking around for it.

"It got crushed by the truck. You can have mine, if you want." Austin reached over and tried to hand it to me, but I stopped him.

"How 'bout we share. I'd rather both of us be dry than only me." I smiled at him. Austin smiled back and nodded. Out of nowhere, I hugged him tightly. "Thank you... I think I would've been dead by now if you weren't there to push me."

"No worries, Al." Austin said and kissed the top of my head.

"How 'bout we go back to my place and dry off? I forgot to feed my cat anyways."