There's A First Time For Everything

Outreach

It was late afternoon in L.A. Curt and Charlton were sitting in Shabby Road, strumming away, when Curt told him about the previous night.

"I cannot believe you did that," Charlton said, setting his guitar down on the floor next to him.

"Looking back on it, I can't either," Curt responded, somberly. "It was really an impulse decision. I should've known it wouldn't turn out well."

"Well, at least you said what you needed to... You okay?"

Curt was staring down, one hand under his chin, the other drooped next to his bass.

"I don't know," he sighed. "I mean, I'm glad I told Ro how I felt. I tried to make him see how much I care for him. I really tried. But he seemed so...reluctant."

"Well, you did kind of put him on the spot, Curt. What were you expecting?"

"I'm not sure... I just hoped things would work out, somehow. I guess I expected too much."

"And what are you hoping for now?"

"Pfft. What does it matter? It's not like I have a chance, anyways."

"That's not what it sounds like. Roland said he needed to think things over, right?"

"Indeed. Famous last words..."

"I think you're accepting defeat too soon," Charlton said, reaching over and giving Curt's shoulder a shake. "At least wait until he gets back to you about it."

"And what if he doesn't?" Curt spat. "Charlton, I feel so lost. What if he just doesn't want to be with me? What the hell am I supposed to do? Sit back and watch that Stephen asshole have him? Watch them kiss, and hold hands? Is that what I have to look forward to?"

Charlton looked at his friend for a moment before answering.

"I don't have the answer, Curt. But I know that Roland cares for you, either way. He wouldn't forget about you. You mean too much to him. Also, you have me, and the others. We're your friends, and we'll be here for you no matter what happens."

---------------------------

Roland wasn't sure, but he felt as if he was on his back. He couldn't believe his eyes. Before him was an endless, black ceiling of stars- at least that's what they looked like. Small specks of light flickering in dozens of colors, some of which he couldn't recognize. Was he in an observatory? A movie theater? Space itself? 

He felt coldness wafting over him; it made him shiver, but he couldn't bring his arms in to warm himself, for he had no control over them. All he could do was stare into the lights. Suddenly, something began to emerge from the dazzling spectacle. Something small and circular, smack dab in the middle of it all. It began growing, slowly. Roland squinted his eyes and tried to make out the object. 

It glowed- like a light, but different from those around it. It was a golden light, radiating a warmth, the likes of which Roland had never felt before. The golden, warm light grew and grew  and grew until finally, it stopped. Roland gasped- he was looking at a human face, centered perfectly within the starry canvas. But try as he might, he couldn't see its features; the glow obscured them, so that they were all a fuzzy blur. He began to squirm. He wanted so badly to see the face more clearly. He kept struggling to move, to do anything, and just like that, his right arm was functional again. He reached out to touch the face before him-

*RIIIIIIIIIING*

*RIIIIIIIIIING*

Roland opened his eyes and sat up on the sofa with a start. He glanced out his living room window. It was a tad dark outside, but there was still some light. His nap was evidently longer than he'd planned. It was 5 PM when he'd returned to his L.A. home and crashed on the couch, skipping dinner entirely. He had a lot on his mind, and his appetite wasn't the best, lately. Roland picked up his phone, which was no longer ringing, and opened it.