I Have Been Chosen

Cody 13

Friday 6th February

The song finished, the last line slow with each word hanging; Cody and Darren strummed quickly on the guitars, and Kara rolled on the hi-hat into the finale that burst into applause.

Cody immediately looked at Oliver, wanting to see his reaction, but Oliver was not in his seat. Instead, he caught a glimpse of him exiting the pub to the outside area.

"Oliver!" Kara beat Cody to it, already dropping her drumsticks and rushing after him.

Cody was about to follow, but Rheanna stopped him.

"It's best if only one person goes," she advised. "Don't worry; Kara's got it."

Cody nodded, remembering how Oliver could get overwhelmed if he was crowded. Perhaps there were too many people tonight for him? But then he thought about how they'd had bigger crowds before, and yet Oliver was fine, enduring it until he could smoke during the break. Maybe, some days, he could handle it, and sometimes he couldn't. Everyone had those days.

However, Cody then began to wonder if it was perhaps the song. Oliver had said it was his favourite but did not answer why. Cody wondered if he was at fault.

Packing up took longer as they were two people down, but it was fine anyway as no one was particularly interested in drinking tonight as they were all going out tomorrow.

Eventually, Kara and Oliver returned to help pack up, but by that point, they had almost finished. How Cody wanted to ask Oliver if it was the song or the crowd, but seeing how pink Oliver's face was and how red and swollen his eyes were, Cody decided that it might be best to leave Oliver alone.

No one stayed behind for an extra drink, the mood somewhat gone, and what with the majority of them staying sober, so they all bid goodbye.

"You ready to go?" Cody asked Oliver as Oliver put on his coat.

Oliver glanced down at the floor. "I'm going to be staying over at Kara's tonight. Thank you, but I'll be going in the van."

"Oh, right, fair enough." Cody forced a smile. He paused, considering a moment, but thought it best not to ask; even if it would relieve his guilt, it would likely not help Oliver. "I'll... see you tomorrow?"

Oliver nodded, seeming too tired to force a smile himself. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

The journey home was relatively quiet, with Darren and Sasha being uncharacteristically untalkative, sensing Cody was feeling guilty. They both told him he was unlikely to blame, but Cody was finding it difficult not to think so negatively.

He returned to his apartment and flopped on his bed, not feeling like staying up particularly late like normal. After a long time of consideration, he texted Kara.

Cody: was it the song or the crowd?

There were a few minutes passed before he finally received a reply.

Kara: the song

Cody swallowed, his gut feeling had been correct. There had been a reason why Oliver never explained why it was his favourite, though Cody didn't think it would make him upset.

Kara: you couldn't have known

Kara: he said he just told you it was his favourite song and not why so don't feel guilty you hear me?

Cody didn't feel like responding, his throat seizing up.

Cody: how is he?

Kara: we're just watching some tv at the moment