Our Song

The Great Wide Open

Paul stood there, waiting for Art to retrieve the ball. Paul had hit it hard enough to go far across Central Park. The two were enjoying one of their shared hobbies, baseball. It couldn't have gone that far.

The wind had picked up. Paul shielded his eyes from the sun as he looked for Art. Where could he have possibly gone? Central Park was massive, and a ball could only go so far. What was he doing?

The wind had blown a little flyer onto Paul's leg. Before it could disappear, Paul quickly grabbed it. The paper detailed about an event that was coming up out in London, it must've been mailed here. It perked Paul's interest. It described a bar that would invite artists from all around. If he couldn't make it in America then maybe the UK would accept him.

He shoved the piece of paper in his pocket. He knew what he wanted to do. He heard a voice come from behind him. "You're not going to tell him are you?"

Paul glared. "Why crush him?"

"Wouldn't it crush him more if you didn't tell him?" The shadow asked.

Paul chewed his lip, just hard enough to make it bleed. "Why do you care about Art so much?"

The shadow stood there and let the question linger. In the distance, Paul could hear Art
"Paul!"

Paul ignored him and looked back at the shadow. "Why do you hold me back?"

The shadow chuckled a bit. "Future and I don't get along very well."

"I wanna be a singer." Paul sniffled.

His dad's words remained fresh in his head.

Teach, you're just going to through your life away. Become a lawyer even.

Maybe he was right, maybe Paul just wasn't made for fame. It wasn't like he was in it for the money, he wanted his voice heard.

"Paul, come on don't do this to me again."

The shadow looked over at Art who looked distressed. "He is your mat just to walk on."

Paul blew up. "Stop painting me as the bad guy! Artie hurts me as much as I hurt him, he takes it a little harder."

"Hey, I don't know Art's past. I am only linked to you." The shadow retold.

"Do shadows not talk?" Paul asked.

"Yeah it's the rules, we can't interact with other shadows, or we will break time, I can't have your past intertwine with Janis's." The shadow explained.

"Who's Janis?" Paul asked confused.

"Nevermind that, but Art doesn't have a shadow." The shadow said.

"Why not?" Paul questioned.

"Well, he doesn't need the past to haunt him, yet." The shadow said.

"Wait, so you can just choose when to come in?" Paul asked.

The shadow shrugged and said, "Pretty much, we come when the time is right."

"So you're saying if some kid had gotten beaten for most of his life after the torture is done the shadow comes?" Paul tried to understand what the shadow was telling him.

He heard Art's screams. "Paul, don't leave me, come back."

"Now you're getting it." The shadow nodded. "You better pay attention to your crying friend."

Paul turned from the shadow and pulled himself back to reality. He saw Art's hand a few millimeters away from his face.

"Where you going to slap me again?" Paul asked angrily.

Art pulled his hand away quickly. "You were staring off into space, saying complete nonsense. Of course, I was going to slap you. I'm getting perturbed."

Paul took in a deep breath. "I'm fine, I don't hear voices in my head."

"Then who are you talking to?" Art asked. He pulled Paul close like he would when they were younger, he had his arm draped over his shoulder.

Ugh, this again.

"Artie, you wouldn't understand," Paul uttered.

"Are you telling me you have a mental illness now?" Art was just pulling things out of his ass at this point.

Paul scowled. "You are stretching it, Artie."

"Well, I don't know what the hell is going on. I mean you space out for a while, and it is kinda scary." Art said.

Great, my own best friend is scared of me.

Paul's mind was racing, he didn't know what to say. He unintentionally blurted out, " You won't have to worry about me, I'm going to stay in London for a while." He quickly covered his mouth as he said this.

Art showed no emotion. "Good for you."

Paul quickly said. "I, I didn't mean to tell you." He knew he wasn't making things any better.

"Yeah, another don't tell Artie thing." Art rolled his eyes.

"You know I care about you and I didn't want to hurt you." Paul croaked.

"It hurts when you don't tell me things, Paul." Art said. "Like when you became True Taylor."

"Wait, you knew about that?" Paul looked surprised.

"Of course I did, you ever wonder why I was so angry? You know I never forget and never really forgive!" Art cried.

"You...you weren't supposed to know." Paul gripped onto his shirt.

"See? You try hiding things from me, and it ends up hurting me. You can't hide behind one of your facades around me. You may be able to fool most, but you can't-fool me." Art screamed.

"Someone is quite mellow dramatic." Paul snickered.

"For fuck's sake Paul this isn't funny!" Art cried.

Paul's cheeks burned he mumbled. "I'm sorry I just crossed the line."

"I know." Art couldn't help but pull Paul close one more time. "You know I will write."

Paul sat confused for a couple of seconds then he realized and said. "I will write too."

***

Paul had just gotten on the plane, to his pleasure. He just wanted to kick back and relax. He had to be on this plane for several hours.

His stress levels were sky-high. He almost was late. Through all the stress there was a small portion of happiness.

He was going out to fulfill his dreams, he was going to be a singer. That is what he kept telling himself.

The shadow appeared. "Ready for London?"

Paul laughed a bit. "You sure seem optimistic."

The shadow grinned. "You know why."