Amaranthine ✿ | Ryden

III.

Spencer Smith had found himself many times questioning his life decisions. Yes, Ryan and later on Brendon were the main reason for that but even after the band's fallout Spencer's own bad life decisions did not stop. In his life he had been in many unfortunate situations-like that time he had to run naked in Vegas while Brendon and Jon rode by his side with shopping carts-but what he was living right now was beyond imagination. Moreover, if this was all Brendon's doing he had finally beat Ryan on the 'Who is Spencer's most idiotic and irresponsible friend'.

"Do we have any Cheez Whiz?"Brendon's voice, or rather young Brendon's voice, brought Spencer back to reality. This kid couldn't be for real. Instead of asking important questions like why Spencer was acting odd or why everything seemed so different, he was craving Cheez Whiz. Brendon, his Brendon, hadn't had Cheez Whiz in like 8 years.

"You don't like Cheez Whiz."

"Yes but I'm gonna use it to prank Ryan. You know how he gets every time we mention the cheese incident."

And now that would explain why Brendon did no longer eat it. Spencer figured that Brendon couldn't be more shady even if he wanted to.

"Bren, I think we need to talk."

"We're talking right  now, aren't we?"

"That's not what I mean."Spencer stated"Do you know what day is today?"

"We already talked about that."

"Brendon, it's 2017."at that moment, Brendon looked at him dumbfounded. This must have been a joke, he couldn't have possibly travel to the future. He hadn't done anything unusual the other day like finding a clock, meeting with an older and intimidating stranger or even coming across a blue police box-he had only finished writing new song and went to bed. Maybe this was all a dream.

"Prove it."

"What?"

"Prove that we're in 2017."

"Well, I'm married! There's a flat TV in the living room and that's my phone."Spencer began and took out his phone. The date was clear on it with big white letters and Brendon almost believed him. Almost.

"This proves nothing. Maybe it's just a very clever dream."

"Oh I wish! I wish this is indeed a dream and that I will open my eyes and everything will go back to normal."Spencer exclaimed and closed his eyes. He squeezed his eyes shut while Brendon looked at him with one raised eyebrow. Perhaps then this wasn't a dream after all.

"I don't think you'll wake up. I don't think either of us will."

"I know it's just,"he sighed"I have no idea what is going on."

"Yeah, me neither. Maybe we should ask Jon, he was always into that future stuff."

"I don't think that's possible."

"Fuck, he's dead!"

"What? No! It's just--"

"That idiot, I never got to tell him how much I loved him and his flip flops! He was such a great guy, Spence. Oh you must be devastated! You two were so close-Ryan and I thought you were dating at some point. Oh my, poor Jon gone too soon!"Brendon continued ranting much to Spencer's annoyance. He was being ridiculous, Jon wasn't dead! He was 99% sure he wasn't. A sad fact, true, but after Ryan and Jon left Panic most of Spencer's life was filled with sad facts.

"Walker isn't dead."and if Brendon thought that Spencer calling Jon, their best friend Jon, by his last name he didn't show it. Spencer thought it was better that way."We don't talk anymore.N-Not like we used to."

"But this is important and Jon's our friend, right?"

"It's not like that. We fell apart, I guess. Young friendships don't last."

"Wow you sound like Ryan."Brendon laughed choosing to ignore Spencer's angsty comment. His face slightly lighted up at the mention of Ryan, Spencer was certain of what question would follow."Speaking of Ryan, how is he? He is already big and famous in my timeline, I'm sure he has accomplished much in yours. We're still in the band, right? And we write music together, living the dream."

"Brendon."

"It's sad that Jon's not with us but we went through that already with Brent!"

Then it hit him, actually it hit them both, Brendon knew. At least a part of him did. Yet he didn't want to accept it, he didn't want to let the cruel reality ruin the future he wanted. And Spencer? Well, Spencer didn't want to shatter his dreams either. But it was better that way, it would be better if he knew. It would be better if the anger filled him.

Because in all honesty, Brendon deserved to be mad in every reality.

"They're both gone."Brendon froze as soon as the words escaped Spencer's mouth"Pretty. Odd. was our last album together."

"No, they wouldn't quit."

"Well they did. Ryan left and dragged Jon with him."

"But Ryan loved music and I love music. We all do, we all loved the music we did together."Brendon replied in a weak tone. Spencer wanted the earth to open in half and swallow him. This was Cape Town all over again. Ryan had fucked up, dragged poor innocent Jon with him-just because he had hid the truth from him, Brendon was a little broken child and Spencer was left to pick up the pieces.

"Brendon--"

"Ryan wouldn't do that."

"You don't even know what he did."

"He wouldn't leave the band. He wouldn't leave us."

If only Brendon could hear this, Spencer thought to himself.

"Many things changed, many things will change. People grow apart and as we get older we start to want different things in life."

"Panic at the disco was our dream. We can't have left that die."

"You didn't, if that makes you feel better. Panic is still around, the exclamation mark too, so that's not so bad."Spencer tried to cheer him up"Yes, you are the only member left but Panic is still alive. The fans love you! Brendon--"

Spencer stopped himself for a moment."What?"asked Brendon.

"Brendon!"

"Yes, I'm here."

"Not you! The other Brendon!"Spencer exclaimed and grabbed his phone. He quickly dialed Brendon's number and waited for an answer."Pick up, pick up."

"Spencer! Thank God you called!"