Wonderwall

Chapter Five: Tatum

As I pulled in I could see Sam waving at me. Sam played at Pier 22 every Friday night so I was used to the place. I got out of the car smiling at Sam.
"Hey" He said giving me a hug.
"Hey." I said as we walked inside.
"How are you doing?" He asked.
I nodded and said "Better, thank you so much for everything and for staying with me."
"Of Course. That's what friends are for aren't they?"
Friends. For some reason that hit me hard. I knew that we were friends. I knew we would never be anything more but I loved him so much it hurt.
"Tay?" I must have been silently for more then a few seconds.
I swallowed hard. " yeah" I said. "Uh so how were the chores?"
"Chores?" He asked confused. "Oh! Papa Roy! I actually need to talk to you about something." He sounded nervous His cheeks were red. I could tell something was bothering him.
"Is everything okay Sam?" I knew it was something big because he never hesitated to tell me anything before. He was silent. Which made me feel unsettled.
"Is Papa Roy okay???" I was nervous.
"Yes. Papa's fine but I.... I wasn't being 100% honest with you when I said I had to help Papa Roy today.." I just looked at him confused.
"Um, I was actually at an audition.... For American Idol..." American Idol? A million thoughts ran through my head. I was so excited and proud but I was also curious why he hadn't told me about it.
"OH MY GOSH SAM!!!! SAM THAT'S AMAZING. OH MY GOSH SAM!! Why didn't you tell me??? I'm so happy for you! Are you excited?" Sam is such an incredible musician. His voice gives me goose bumps every time he sings.
"I didn't make it..." He said.
"What? That's crazy your so good. I'm gonna Sue that's crazy!!!! I'm so sorry Sam." I didn't know what to say. He is so good that I didn't understand why he wouldn't make it. He has nearly perfect pitch no one has pitch like him. It's completely insane.
"I'm Kidding..." He said
"OH MY GOSH SAM YOU DID IT!!!!" I got up and hugged him tight. "I am so proud of you Sam. " It took me a minute to realize that meant he would have to leave.
"I'm Sorry" he said
"Hey, no. Don't you apologize. I am so Proud of you Sam. You deserve this. I am so proud of you." It was true. I was proud of him but I knew what it meant. I knew that he would be leaving within a matter of weeks.
"How long till you leave?" I asked trying to sound as excited as I could make myself.
"A month. But i'll call you everyday and we can facetime." See it was moments like these when I thought there was a chance for us. I thought that there might be the slightest bit of a connection.
He looked down I know he was feeling guilty and had already begun feeling worried.
"Sam, I'm going to be okay. This is such a big deal. I am so happy for you. Hey, we still have a month this could all go away by then." And thats exactly what I was going to make happen... or atleast make him believe that it was gone.