Imagine Us in Heaven

Pinky Promise

I stand in front of the bar on my next night shift, questioning all of my life decisions. Most importantly, I started questioning why I even came here. Since there's not much work to do and all the paperwork has been filed, the boss agreed to let us leave early, and I took the offer to take care of this business. But now, I'm quickly regretting it.

The man already has a life of his own and a well-established career. Why do I even want to ruin it by showing up in front of his face? I'm sorry, Winter. I can't. I LITERALLY CAN'T!

As I walk in the opposite direction, contemplating whether to cross the street or not, a black Cadillac suddenly halts a few yards away from me. Before I can react, a group of shrill voices sounds behind me, and the next thing I know, they're all gathering and screaming his name.

"GAVINNNNN!!!!!"

Fucking fan girls. Although I'm just standing here, waiting to be pulled like a log floating on a streaming waterfall, their small bodies and dwarf height aren't enough to even shove me. I remain immovable. I roll my eyes at their shameful display of obsession as if I didn't enjoy this kind of attention in the past. Yep---Blythe, you're a hypocrite!

I want to get out, but I can't find a single breach. I freeze when the door of the black Cadillac opens and out steps a handsome man with pasty skin, perfectly trimmed eyebrows, and thin, narrow lips set against a sculpted face and a pointed chin.

In my current state, it'll be impossible for him to even notice I'm here. I think there's nothing to worry about. I mean, how is he supposed to see me in a throng of crazy fan girls wearing outrageous fashion and oversized accessories? Just impossible...

But that's when I appreciate that the impossible can very well become possible. Because as he takes his sunglasses off and his feet touch the asphalt road, his gaze widens, and I quickly grasp why. His eyes have landed on me.

Well, hello there, Gavin Dunn!

✺✳ ┅ ⑅ ┅ ✳✺

I can't recall the last time we talked or even the last time I saw his face. I've avoided all news about him, even when I heard about his rising popularity in passing. I was happy for him. Really happy. He deserves all the blessings he's receiving now and more. And I truly hope from the bottom of my heart that whatever I did to him doesn't hinder the future everyone is looking forward to.

I'm correct about some things and wrong about the rest.

We've been staring at each other for God knows how long since he saw me in the crowd. His bodyguards literally dragged me and took me straight to his dressing room as he prepared for tonight's show. Honestly, he looks even better than before. He's left his youth behind and transformed into a man ready to take over the world. Despite this, his temper hasn't changed.

"You know, we can do this later," I finally break the icy silence.

He sits in a chair while his makeup artist and hairstylist prepare him for the show. "So, you can get away again just like ten years ago?"

I don't respond---what am I supposed to say? He continues, "Where have you been all this time?"

I smirk. "In between places in hell."

He gives me a sideways glance. "You never take anything seriously, do you?"

I scoff at this. "What do you want from me, Gavin? Performative pity?"

"For your information, performative empathy does not equate to justice! I want my songs back, Blythe."

"Except those weren't just your songs, bro. We wrote them together."