TWO TICKETS, HE DECLINED

The tickets shake in my hands, and I can’t tell if it’s excitement of fear. We planned this for months and, now that it’s happening, something feels off. Still, I am imagining this day as the beginning of a sweet and passionate relationship with Cody Hunter III. We are two peas in a pod. It can’t happen any other way.

We are supposed to meet later but I’m too excited to wait. I want to see his reaction.

He wanted these tickets more than me. He won’t be able to contain himself once he finds out we are going to the concert together.

The door to his room is slightly ajar. That’s strange, Cody never leaves his door open. I move slowly into the room as not to startle him. The room is cluttered, dingy, with rumpled sheets hanging from the top bunk, The strong sour stench lurking throughout, made me gasp. Cody is a stand-up guy with impeccable taste. It doesn’t show in this room.

Something is off.

“Cody, wake up,” I said.

No response. I shake him again. No response and his skin is clammy. I check his pulse. His breath is faint and shallow, but he is alive. Fear wraps around my head like a thorn, throbbing to the beat of a slow, sad song. I’m not sure what to do. I grab my phone to call 911. Suddenly, his hand clamps around mine.

“Josie, why are you here?” said Cody.

His tone was raspy and accusatory.

“I came to tell you we won the tickets to the concert!”

“Josie, you need to leave.” This is not a good time.

“First, you have to tell me what is going on around here.”

“What do you mean? You are the one who barged in here.”

I’ve never heard him speak to me in that tone of voice before.

Something is wrong.

“Cody, please talk to me.” We tell each other everything.

“Cody, I am not going anywhere until you tell me what is going on with you.”

“Josie, I can’t talk right now.

“We have always talked about everything. Why are you shutting me out? “

“Getting these tickets is important to both of us, and now you don’t seem to care.”

“Why?” I ask in shock. I don’t understand what’s happening. My head is spinning in disbelief.

“We have been good friends, and I thought we were becoming more.” “Was I wrong?”

“You made a promise to me Cody.”

“Sometimes, promises have to be broken, Josie.”

“Cody, please, don’t shut me out.”

Cody whispers.

“Josie, we are more than friends.” I have loved you since the first time I laid eyes on you.

Silence fills the room making them both uncomfortable.

“Cody, you are scaring me.”.

Tears are trickling down Cody’s face. His fingers are tightening around mine so hard, my fingers become numb. As much as it hurts, I don’t want him to let go. Soon, the grip loosens and his hand drops to the side of the bed.

“I want to tell you everything Josie, but not now. He’s barely audible.

“You have to go to the concert without me.”

As Cody closes his eyes, unaware that I am still in the room., reality hits me like a brick.

I’m going to the concert lone.

Jewell Pearson is a New York born, currently living in sunny California. She is pursuing Creative Writing at Full Sail University. When she isn’t writing, you may find her reading at the beach, crafting at home, or binging her favorite streaming program.