We Were Bound By Music - boatboys/smalletho

Chapter 20

Joel's POV:

"Why are you ignoring Gem?" I was afraid he would ask this question. It's clear that Gem called him because of me. I was surprised when he lied to her but at least I didn't have to talk to her now.

I'm scared to talk to Gem after what I've told her by phone.

That was the truth. I felt embarrassed and I'm not ready to go back to that day again. It was tiring.

"...I-this is related to what happened yesterday...I'll tell you everything at the bar, okay?" I was trying to get out of telling him about yesterday. At least for now.

"...okay." Fortunately, he agreed.

We weren't far from the bar, so we walked all the way there. I was happy for Jimmy, but also I envied him for finding something that suited him. I don't know who I want to be in the "future". Since I was a child, I dreamed of being God, but it probably won't happen...

"I'll go change in the back. You can sit here." Tim pointed to a chair at the bar. I gladly sat on it while he went to the back.

Is he mad at me for ignoring our friend?

I don't know...but after his conversation with Gem, he seems disappointed? I coudn't tell what exact emotions he was feeling right now, but it didn't look like it was a positive one.

After a while, I heard my friend's exited voice, but with a western accent.

"Hello dear citizen! Welcome to "Rancher's". He was wearing overalls, a yellow plaid shirt, a silver badge and - of course - a hat without which a cowboy is not a cowboy but a strangely disguised farmer.

"You look like Woody."

"Woody?"

"You know. The toy from toy story?"

"...did you just call me a toy?"

"You look very simmular to a toy right now."

"I'M NOT A TOY!"

"Prove it. Say something a toy wouldn't say." I gave him a challenge

"...uh...hm...I hate trick questions!"

"So you're a toy" I proudly proved my point.

Jim was clearly upset, but it didn't last long, because his emotions changed when we heard a voice behind me that I thought I had heard before...

"Jimmy?"

"Tango! You came!" Jimmy greeted the person who entered this part of the bar.

"How could I not? I work here dummy." It's him! It's the waiter from yesterday! Now I see his red eyes that Jim mentioned. Tango was also dressed in a stereotypical sheriff's outfit and had a gold star attached to his chest.

Everyone has one and they differ from each other depending on your position.

I remembered my friend's words.

Tango's badge looks like he is on a high position.

"...forget?" I didn't notice that they were still talking. "Oh, Tango! This is Joel, my friend from childhood." Timmy introduced me to a new friend.

"Hi! Nice to meet you! How you doing Joel?" Tim's friend hugged me hello.

I was suprised from this move but I hugged him back and when we pulled away from eachother, I answered him.

"Why do you all speak with that strange accent?" I laughed. Jimmy's fake accent was terrible and I will reproach him of that for ages.

"Excuse me?! It's not a strange accent, just a real western pronunciation." He looked like he was just telling me the earth is round and not flat.