I Have Been Chosen

Cody 12

Monday 2nd February

Monday, again, the start of the week. Cody noticed that Oliver was particularly quiet today, though he had a feeling it was more than just the Monday blues. Something must have happened last week that has caused Oliver to be so eager to leave work every day. He knew that Oliver's job didn't particularly sound that exciting, but something must have happened; however, there were only so many times Cody could ask Oliver if he was alright. Cody just hoped that Oliver was talking to someone about what was going on, perhaps Kara. Yes, Kara, as his best friend, was the best candidate regardless of how much Cody wanted to help; he hadn't known Oliver that long for him to open up about what was bothering him. Cody had a suspicion it was about that shifty-looking guy, especially as this morning he had noticed that Oliver had not taken the same bus as him; they were not walking together to work anymore, with Oliver having taken another bus and arriving later.

Even after getting his usual mint coffee, Oliver barely had a smile on his face, his reaction muted.

Cody attempted conversation unsuccessfully, with Oliver hardly responding or just listening to Cody rant about what had happened at work.

After another period of silence, Cody said, "you know, I can't believe I haven't asked this question yet, but what's your favourite song?"

Oliver perked up, recognising that he was now in a conversation and needed to respond. "Favourite song," he mumbled in thought. "What's yours?"

"Ooh!" Cody gasped in excitement. "I mean, it's a toss between Hurt by Johnny Cash and Enter Sandman by Metallica."

"Why's that then?"

Cody smiled. If Oliver was asking questions, it meant that he was at least distracted enough. "They were both the first few songs I tried to learn on guitar," explained Cody. "Yeah, they were perhaps a bit advance for the level I was at; I was quite ambitious. But one summer, I just kept going until my fingers started bleeding since I stupidly told my friends I knew how to play Metallica and would play them when we went back to school."

Oliver seemed to chuckle a bit from this.

"And then with Johnny Cash..." Cody shrugged. "Well, it's Johnny Cash; what can you say? Though I suppose Ring of Fire is, of course, up there..." He glanced over at Oliver. "So, how about you? What's your favourite? If we don't already know it yet, we can learn to play it. Come to our rehearsals and have your private concert."

"Wonderwall by Oasis-"

"No, it fucking isn't." Cody smiled, catching the small smirk on Oliver's lips. "Come on... or is it like a guilty pleasure? Hmmm..." Cody pondered. "Now, what song would you be embarrassed about?"

"I don't think it's a song that fits your band's vibes," admitted Oliver.

"Why is it pop? We do a few rock covers of pop songs; you've heard our Toxic cover. Is it country? Wait... is it a classical music piece? Then yeah, that would be difficult for us to play, but I'll gladly take a challenge."

There was a pause.

Cody barely heard it a first, but Oliver eventually replied, "Build Me Up Buttercup... by The Foundations."

"Build Me Up Buttercup," Cody repeated. It wasn't what he was expecting, not with what he thought Oliver's musical tastes were. He glanced over to see Oliver staring out of the window again, facing away from Cody. "I mean, it's a classic," said Cody, hoping to continue the conversation. "Everyone knows it." He paused. "Why's that your favourite then?"

Again, another pause of silence. Oliver shrugged and said quietly, "don't know, it just is."

Cody had a feeling there was a reason but knew that Oliver wasn't at this moment wanting to explain, so he did not press further.