Can't Help That I'm Falling

Cut Off

"You're... You're... I-I'm sorry..."

He stares in awe, and Jack stares back.

"It's okay, I just... Wow.

You sound just like him."

"... Oh. Hah. Y-yeah, that's why I cosplay as him."

The boy, maybe 17 or 18, takes a step back, and Jack gets a good look at him.

Short, but with a sturdy build, bright pink hair and deep brown eyes.

"You look just like him too, that's incredible."

The boy laughs nervously, and Jack leans down to pick up the plushes.

"Sorry, let me help you," says the boy, leaning down to pick some up himself.

"I never got your name?" Jack says, standing up.

"Oh, uh, Caleb."

He hands Jack the septic eyes that he'd collected.

"Nice to meet you, Caleb. But, ah. The panel's been over for almost an hour now... What're ya still doing hanging around? I'm not really sure if you're allowed to be here, to be honest."

Drops of sweat form on his brow, and he wipes his forehead with the back of his hand.

"I'm just, um. Thinking."

Jack nods.

"Thinking. Yeah, me too. May I ask about what?"

He continues to sweat, and his hand twitches once.

"It's a long story."

"I've got time."

Jack places the septic eyes on the nearest table and pulls over two chairs.

They sit.

"Well... I've been watching Mark's videos for a while now. Yours too, but Mark's for much longer. Anyways... My ex girlfriend and I, we met over Mark, and used to watch his videos everyday. It's how we bonded, sometimes we'd stay up all night binge watching Youtube together. Eventually-"

"Wait. Gotta stop you. That's adorable. Okay, go on."

"Hah... yeah. Well, you heard me say 'ex', so of course, we broke up. She said it just... Wasn't working out anymore. She had seemed happy with what we had. I thought she was, and I was, at least. But then she just cut it off, like that. And I don't know, I... I still love watching Mark's videos, but every time I watch them it reminds me of her. She still adores Mark. I kinda sorta check her social media once in a while, so I know, and ... I dress up as Mark because I know how much she loves him, and I want to feel as if she still loves me by being like him."

Jack stares blankly.

"Dude."

"Yeah..."

"That's messed up."

"I know."

He runs his hands along the sides of his pants, back and forth, back and forth.

"So when you said you cosplay as him because your voices are similar..."

"That was true. But not the entire truth."

"Right."

Jack stands, and Caleb does the same.

"You'll find someone new. There are plenty of people out there, and you seem like an okay guy. You need to let her go."

He nods, slowly, staring off into the distance.

"Thank you, Jack... And thanks for listening. You're even nicer in person."

"It's no problem. And... "

Jack trails off and looks over Caleb's shoulder to see a security guard walking around. He takes one last step, then looks across the room to make direct eye contact with Jack.

"Um. I think you better go," he says, as the guard begins walking over.

"Oh... " Caleb says, sneaking a quick look behind him. "And... What were you going to say?"

Jack shakes his head. "Nothing. I just wish you the best of luck, with everything. Do you want a picture, or maybe something signed?"

"No no, it's okay. I won't need it."

"You won't...?"

"I won't need it."

He begins to pull something out of his pocket as the security guard reaches them.

"What are you..."

Jack looks into his hand.

His eyes widen.

"I'll find someone. But not in this life."

Jack takes a step back.

"Don't. Caleb, don't-"

"My name's not Caleb. It's Chris. And I'm sorry."

Jack and the security guard exchange glances, and the guard tackles him out of the way.

Flames engulf their bodies, and everything is red.

Ringing cuts off all sound.

Then everything is white.