The Maize

To forgive is to forget everything that ever bothered you and everything that ever harmed you. What lengths would you go to repair?

Chapter 1

Verse 1: Reboot

Static, a 26 year old studio technician, wakes up again to the same blurry vision. It was just part of who he was at this point, and something he dealt with. A curse. His eyes flickered fuzzy TV static as he tried to wake up. It bothered him, but there wasn't a lot he could do. He didn’t remember much from before this curse. Not even his own name. All he had memories from were from the time his parents passed 11 years ago and when he was in a band. Both hurt a lot, but are numbed out by time now. It was hard at first managing as it basically knocked out his vision every morning. In order to fix it he would turn a dial to adjust the frequency. Somedays if the weather was bad, his signal would weaken leaving him blind. However, recently Harvey, one of his old band mates, hooked him up with a digital converter. Basically a prescription so he didn’t have to dial his eyes to the perfect frequency. No more analogue waves for him, except he needed wifi to keep the reception clear. He was installed now with Windows XP. The sound kicks on whenever he opens his eyes, and he would smile as he sets his eyes to a fun wallpaper while getting ready for the day. While reading the news and eating breakfast, an email flashes on his eyes. It was from Cornelius, another band mate. Someone he hadn't spoken to since prom night. There was a pause and hesitation. That night still haunted him. Reading the subject line of the email he thought to himself, ”Maybe it is time.”

However, right when he was about to click on it, a new piece of mail came in at the same time. It was spam. He clicked too fast and accidentally opened the email. A virus latched onto his internal system, and he started to spasm out. Fuck. The only thing bad about being digital was the stupid internet bugs. Static started to cough as he became infected with the virus. As always, his vision started to go out. He sends a message to Harvey about the virus as his head starts to overheat. He’s forced to shut down after he sends it off.

Meanwhile, Harvey was out for lunch with Cornelius catching up. It had been awhile since both had seen each other, but Harvey knew Cornelius had gone through a lot. It was rare he even showed his face in public. Which was surprising considering he wore what basically looked like a 90s arcade floor. Something must have happened, and Harvey was determined why Cornelius wanted to suddenly hang. “Have you seen what they did to the old shopping center thrift store?” Cornelius just shakes his head. “Please don’t get me started. They take all the flare this town has and make it corporate. Literally a thrift store is the last thing you’d expect to have a corporate appeal.” Harvey laughs. “Dude, it’s just one of the stores no need to get too bent. But I agree. I miss when thrift stores didn’t cater to girls getting their new ‘aesthetic’.” Cornelius laughed. “God I hate what the world has become now.” Harvey leaned back. “World’s become? Dude where have you been. Seriously. It’s been so long, why haven’t we hung out sooner?” Cornelius looked off. He was definitely trying to hide a hangover from the night before. He sighed. “On prom night, you weren’t there...but something happened with me and Static and I haven’t been able to confront him..so I-”

During their chat Harvey gets the message from Static. It was weird basically being tech support for your friend’s vision impairment, but Static gave him decent pay and a good motivation while he got his coding degree. Harvey initially got into coding because of Myspace, and also fell in love with it when trying to find an excuse not to take band class. Which coding happened to compete at the same time as the band. Static was a good friend to keep around for this motivation.

Harvey reads over the email and immediately changes the conversation as he blurts out, “Hey... I know we were just talking about everything that happened, but Static came down with a virus and needs help.” Cornelius looks up from his shades that were hiding his hangover. As soon as Static was mentioned it triggered an emotion. He couldn't explain the feeling. He just ached and felt this numbing pain.

Moving out from his parents before high school ended had not been easy in terms of couch surfing. Behind the 90s print t-shirt lived a suppressed adult that just wanted to feel a spark of life since prom. “I don't know if that guy wants to see me to be honest...”

Harvey not knowing the whole story why their band had to come to an end since the conversation got cut short, began to prod. “Come onnnn it’s been years since we were all together. Maybe he’s gotten over whatever happened. That and it’s kind of my side-gig to go help him at the moment. Stop being melodramatic and drive me over.” Cornelius snaps back is extremely irritated, “Why the fuck don’t you have your license yet? You’re almost 27, dude.” Harvey, fed up, decides to walk and Cornelius, feeling bad, apologizes, and they get in his car. Cornelius pops in a cassette as he drives and Harvey stares at him. “You’re still using cassettes? Are you secretly filming a sitcom?” Harvey then looks around the van. To which Cornelius just pushes Harvey back to the front seat and smiles as they drive out.

Harvey unlocks the front door and goes to check on Static. The place hasn’t been kept up that well. Basically areas he used he kept clean, but places like his parents room looked locked and unopened for years. The place felt eerie and pretty cold.

Static boots back on thanks to Harvey. His body shivers as he feels his processor not working correctly. He sits up and goes to open his eyes, but instead of static they are full of pop up ads. He’s forced to lie back down as his head starts to hurt from all the ads cluttering his vision. As Harvey is helping him, Cornelius stands in the doorway looking in. Harvey takes off the dial that was attached to the side of Static’s head. Wires spill out. From there he’s able to plug in some wires to help override the virus. “This might take a minute. I’m going to run CCleaner and then run the antiviru- OF COURSE HE CHOSE TO SKIP UPDATES.” Harvey holds his head and shakes.

Cornelius looks around Static’s house and finds one of his shirts in the laundry. “Knew it. He had it all along.” Cornelius stuffs the shirt in his back pocket and goes back over to Harvey. “Man, he never updated his virus protection from the last time we installed it. It’s taking forever. Sorry Cornelius.” Static in almost a fever state rests on the bed as they’re doing the tests. Both wait in the bedroom watching tv until the start up sound goes off. Cornelius looks over and Static is staring at him. It had been so long since they had seen each other. However, what he couldn’t tell is that Static's memories had been wiped partly. He couldn’t remember what had happened to him or the band, but he was suddenly so excited that his friends were there. He hugged both and cried as he started to feel better. Harvey set a few reminders for Static to call him when he needs updates. Everything kind of felt like it went back to how they were in high school.

Cornelius looks back wondering if he should confess something wasn’t right. Would not reminding him of the bad memories allow them for a second chance at friendship?

Verse 2: What are friends for

Static wasn’t a robot. He couldn’t explain what he was to many except to two close friends he had.

During the summer at camp after freshman year, he found out his parents had died from a car accident. Their car fell off the bridge into the river. Static felt helpless when hearing the news. He felt numb. It didn’t feel real. While he was packing up to leave, the friends he made there were trying to give him words of encouragement. But nothing worked.

His heart felt hollowed.

In order to find closure, he went with a friend who owns a tow truck to get the car out of the water. His goal was to repair it in memory of them. His dad loved the car, and Static remembered as a kid helping him get new parts to replace the old. They found the empty car in the water and lifted it to the road. That night was the last time Static cried.

Later that same night while he was working on the car the power went out. While he was turning on the power he touched the tv and something happened. An immediate static shock hit him.

What happened was not a superhero transformation. It was worse. His eyes began to scramble as images of his life flashed by, and there was a high pitched noise. He was stuck. He was stuck not in his mind, but in a place where his body was on a thread with radio waves. He felt his soul slip from himself until he was brought back to reality. Unable to explain what happened, he opened his eyes and all he could see was static. He put his hands to his head to scream and felt a dial. The dial was similar to the old tv dial his parents had. Attached was an antenna that hurt to touch. With the dial he was able to clear the static from his vision and was able to see. This new feeling he had also numbed the pain he had been feeling. It was weird and soothing. He never cried again.

Static was sitting now in the room with his friends that just recovered him from the email virus.

He had forgotten what happened during high school and what made him separate from his friends. Almost like a weird factory reset. He hugged Harvey and Cornelius so hard as they both were shocked. The band was finally together.

Later that night Cornelius was out on Static’s porch smoking, and Static came outside. Startled, Cornelius puts out his cigarette before greeting. “Hey, why are you up so late?”

Static laughs, “Dude I’m not that old. It may have been awhile since we’ve seen each other, but I stay up pretty late. Plus you know the whole weird tv head aspect, sleeping isn’t the same.” They both laugh and look up from the porch. “What do you see Static?” “Not much. My vision hasn’t been that clear. I was going to ask Harvey to do something about it.” Cornelius looks off. There was another long pause of silence until Harvey had come outside. Harvey looks at them as Static is oblivious to how Cornelius was acting. It became apparent that Static lost his memory of what happened while Cornelius was stiff and hesitant.

Harvey ends up helping Static, and they all sit on the porch. Life just hasn’t been the same while they were apart. Cornelius gets his keytar to relax and begins to play a tune. It’s calm and quiet and Static makes a beat while Harvey is still adjusting his dial.

*Cornelius plays a cover of the song Guys by 1975*

Verse 3: Carnival of circuits

It had been a few days since Static caught the virus that wiped part of his memory. They were all still at Static’s house.

How Static was still able to afford his house was that his parents left a large savings. Between the job on the studio sets between months he made it work.

Now that the band was together, there were many moments Cornelius didn’t know what to do or say when Static was in the room. His heart felt heavy, and his suffering increased every time he was near. Harvey, however, was logged in doing his coding online. Online classes were kicking his butt, but it did give him time to be near friends. When looking up tutorials on Youtube, an ad for a local festival popped up. It was small and had a battle of the bands as one of the big highlights for the event. Harvey turned around his laptop. “How would you all feel about doing a live show guys? It’s been awhile.” Static immediately was intrigued, while Cornelius was hesitant. “...Will it be live-streamed?” Harvey then looks closer at the details. “No. I think it’s just for this small town that’s an hour away.” Cornelius breathed out. “Cool. I’m down.” Harvey looked at the screen, and typed in their old band name, “Maize”, which was perfect for a fall festival. Back in high school, Harvey and Cornelius formed a band in secret. Both were trying to escape something they didn’t want to do: classical music. With Harvey’s brother, Aspen, being so adamant that he goes into the band or orchestra it only pushed him to find an escape. But that was expected from his brother as he was the school’s private lesson teacher. Harvey just loved his bass guitar over any orchestral instrument. He met Cornelius while he was waiting for his driver to pick him up. Cornelius was going over sheet music and practicing on a small to-go piano. Harvey, waiting on the steps of the school, pulled out his bass and began to match the bass clef. Together they had an indirect jam session until Cornelius' ride came. Harvey stopped Cornelius and asked if he wanted to hang out after school. Sadly Cornelius told him he was unable to do anything after school. That’s when Harvey came up with the brilliant plan to form their band. It was a way for both of them to hang out. The only thing was they needed was one more member - someone to make their beat. Harvey asked his friend Octavius who played for them. They called themselves “Maize” since they all had harvest sounding names. However, when Octavius unfortunately had to move away, that’s when they asked Static, a lonely kid at the time, to play drums. And things stayed that way for a bit until prom. Cornelius goes and gets his keytar from the van. “It’s been awhile since I did a gig. I don’t even know the tone that I want to do” He begins to try and find a melody, but struggles. Harvey sighs as he hadn’t finished his coding homework yet, but can’t help but play along. He also runs to go get his bass from his house. Static’s drum kit was already out in the living room. All three began tuning and testing.

Cornelius, still struggling to find a melody, begins to panic feeling he’s lost his touch. He goes off for a second. He takes some drug in secret hoping it’ll calm his nerves. He comes back running into the room and starts playing a riff and gets on the mic. Cornelius feeling enhanced and no longer afraid, began to play. His nerves around Static have also lessen, and he pours his heart into a cover ballad of Glass Animals - You Love.

When they finish the song they all smile to themselves. They had it still. The next few days they practice and they arrive at the venue. It’s a cute little festival where everyone is dressed up as monsters and goblins. The crew themselves hadn’t thought about costumes so they went to one of the small stands to buy some headbands. Harvey got a bandana with teeth on it. Static got dangling eyeballs. Cornelius got some pumpkin shades. The battle of the bands was going to mark their new career. Cornelius to himself smiled as this is all he ever wanted was to be back with his friend again. The stage lights up as bands pile up in the back. “Guys, just so you know I’m happy to be back together.” Cornelius says then smiles. “That’s the first time in a long while since you smiled,” Harvey chimes in. It turns out to be their turn on stage. The crowd is just full for families and teens having a good evening. Cornelius begins to feel like a ping. What if someone notices. He begins to get nervous. Harvey holds his arm. “It’s ok, you got this dude.” Cornelius taps the mic. “Prepared to be A-maize” Song they play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieThrn5Ujmg

The crowd cheers and they head off the stage. They’re told results would be announced later so they head off into the crowd. Static grabs Cornelius to go play carnival games as some pink haired girl starts chatting with Harvey. Cornelius freezes up on Static’s touch, and it’s not because he shocked him. It just had been so long. Telling himself to live in the moment, he goes around playing games and even wins matching slap bracelets with Static. However, the slap from the metal band shocked Static and he began to remember something. Static looked at Cornelius with horror in his eyes. Cornelius then knew something happened. That the memories were back and he had little time to explain. Right as Cornelius grabbed Static’s arm to explain the speaker for the amp blared so loud that Cornelius' voice was cut off. He was starting to cry while explaining. However, the amp shocked static. Static stares at Cornelius confused to see him crying as their name was announced as the winners. “Hey there’s no need to be sad dude, we won!” Static runs off to get Harvey and Cornelius wipes his face as the pain floods him again. He goes up to get the prize, which is just a $30 gift card for a hot dog place in town. Cornelius signs and starts laughing when they get to the van. He hates hot dogs.

Verse 4: Walking the Wire

Cornelius is fading in and out of sleep in the van. His phone buzzes telling him it’s time to wake up, but the crew is still asleep. They’ve been on the road taking up random gigs the past week since their battle of the bands concert debut. He opened the little front vanity mirror and looked at the bags under his eyes. “I’m starting to look like my dad. This sucks.” He said as he slammed the mirror closed. He decides to go into the gas station they parked at and grab some snacks. In the store, his hands are full of snacks and he sees a magazine labeled, “The Cadenza story: A lost fortune and 2 lost sons”. Wishing he just kept walking, Cornelius stops and grabs the magazine, and goes to check out.

In the van, Harvey wakes up first and sees Cornelius reading something. He hears noises from the front seat as though someone is crying. Harvey appears next to his side and taps his shoulder. Cornelius jumps. His eyes were puffy red as he shoved the magazine on the side pocket of the front seat. “Dude you ok? Did you get sleep last night?” Harvey asks. Cornelius laughs slightly, “Ya. But I haven’t honestly slept well in awhile.” Harvey suggests that tonight that they all went and got a hotel room since they would be out of town for another day.

Once Static woke up they all headed to the music supply store. Harvey offers to buy equipment since he had gotten spare cash from his brother to buy music supplies. “We need to find a way to get larger gigs.” Harvey says next to Cornelius. “I feel ya dude. Sorry I make things complicated.” Cornelius just sighs. “Dude you’re ok. I put in a few more emails last night to different offerings. Hopefully one comes through.” While walking around, Harvey gets persuaded by a salesman, and he ends up being occupied for a while.

Static is over near the drum section, and he gets his hands on more drumsticks. “Hey Static..” Cornelius kind of asks out of the blue. “Why did you get into drumming?” Static smiles. “It’s because the beats are louder than the static I hear. I can feel the vibration hit my heart, and I feel like less of a robot.” Cornelius nods knowing the feeling. It was the feeling of escape they both felt. Static asks Harvey if they can go get boba next door. Harvey, occupied by the salesman, gives them money to go next door as long as they bring back a strawberry boba for him.

Cornelius always gets nervous just being around Static. They enter the store and begin to read the menu. They accidentally brushed their arms while reading the menu, and his heartbeat was up in his neck. They place their orders and wait. While waiting, Static asks Cornelius what happened to his knuckles as they were scared. Cornelius is hesitant as they’re in public, but tells him anyway. “..Back when my mom and dad put me in piano, it was really important I mastered everything early so I could be a prodigy at competitions. She used to smack my hand with a ruler when I screwed up a scale or arpeggio. But-..“ He lifts up the side of his shirt briefly. One time she poured her hot coffee on me when I decided to play a Hall & Oates song on the piano during a break because it wasn’t classical music. She didn’t want me to waste time on anything before a recital. It was a fresh cup too. So it burned through the shirt I was wearing…” Cornelius looks off and whispers lightly. “Fucking hated that bitch...” Static was confused. “Wait, when did you stop living with your parents again?” Cornelius freezes. “I was 17. I don’t like to talk about it.” Static remained silent and nodded. “I know the feeling. I’m sorry.” Cornelius touches his hand. “No I’m sorry I-“

“ORDER FOR CORNELIUS”

Cornelius fumbles to get up and get their drinks. Their conversation ends abruptly. They walk back to the shop next door quiet to walk in on Harvey still with the salesman. Harvey is holding a new bass and guitar. “Hey! I got both for the price of one!” Cornelius smacks his face knowing they don’t have any spare cash. Cornelius and static stand back drinking boba waiting on Harvey to check out when Harvey gets a text.

“Hey!! We got the gig! It’s across town, but it’s a high school prom. HEY maybe we can write a new song and the kids can get into it.” However, because Harvey bought the new equipment, they were back to sleeping in the van tonight instead of a hotel.

Verse 5: The Gig

The car radio hummed with music. This was their next large audience gig since the Battle of the Bands. Most of the gigs they had done were small one offs. So it was nice to know they could land something this size at such an early beginning. It was weird for a school to do a winter prom, but it looked like it was the town’s tradition. Cornelius was driving the van on a long stretch highway as they were trying to get to a school that was a few cities over. They all wanted to get there early for the gig tomorrow.

“Dancing Queen” comes on the tape mix. Cornelius stops talking to the two who are prepping in the back of the van. As the music goes on, and the tape gets stuck on the lyric “seventeen” over and over. Cornelius' head starts pounding and he slams on the breaks and parks the van on the side of the highway. The two in the back jolt forward and Static almost breaks the guitar he was tuning. Harvey breaks out into concern. “What the hell????” Harvey calls out to Cornelius as he’s pulling on his hair in the front seat. He begins to panic and he gets out of the van and runs into the nearby wooded area from his panic attack. The other two quickly go after him. Static, however, doesn’t get far. He tries to go after, but the wifi signal he needs to see with gets weak making him go blind. Harvey finds Cornelius near the edge of the woods. He’s shaking and puking. Harvey knows something is wrong and has no choice, but to get the van and try something they did as kids. When he gets back he finds Static blindly trying to make his way around. Harvey grabs his arm as he doesn’t have time, “Get in the van Static. I need to help get Cornelius.” Static tossed inside starts to curse. He never remembered Harvey being so rough before. Harvey drives the van a little over from the highway into the wooded area and hooks up a guitar. He starts to play a song. As a siren in the dusk, Harvey plays certain cords and Cornelius comes out. It’s their first song they played together back when they were in school. It was about the fear of the future. Harvey leans into the lyrics about how he was scared what would happen to them when they first formed the club. How he feared his world would end. How his mother’s words echoed in his ears.

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPVepOUg5Pw

At this time Static was messing around in the back with his signal in the van. “I can’t see a damn thing. I hate this.” As he was trying to basically work to get the internet signal from the van back, he got too close to the amp that was hooked up. A shock hit static and his memory came rushing back. After some time, Harvey and Cornelius get back in the van they see Static crying in the back. Static remembered why he never saw the two again.

Verse 6: Shock

Static’s memory of Prom night

Static fastened his bow tie, and went to Cornelius' parents house. The mansion yard was dark tonight giving him the perfect chance to sneak in and get Cornelius to prom. Jumping over the fence, he runs across the yard as fast as possible. He knew what Cornelius was going through at home, but they could run away. Hell, he could live with him instead. Climbing up the side to the second story, he finds that Cornelius wasn’t in his bedroom. Static opens Cornelius' bedroom window. He checks around, but then hears voices downstairs get louder and angrier. Going to the staircase he tries to hear who is downstairs. He hears a gunshot and turns pale wondering if he should go check or run out of the house. But then the argument continues just as before. Static goes to check to see if Cornelius is ok, and he sees him with the gun in hand. Static’s eyes begin to glitch out from the stress, and he can’t see what’s going on after. He tries to stumble back up the stairs, but then Cornelius hears him and turns around. He cries out to him to stay back, but his parents begin to get angry. Cornelius stands by his side.”

“Mom, Dad, meet my date. Now that you’ve met him, I’m going to the prom with him so open the front gate so I can take my car. I’m tired of being a puppet.” Suddenly a female voice speaks, which Static assumes is Cornelius’ mom. “Son. You’ll never truly be free from this family. Your blood is our blood. We gave you a comfortable life, yet you refuse to play along. Calm down and we won’t take you out of school.” Suddenly a male voice chimes in. “Listen to your mother. Quit this silly band and attend your debut pianist concert and we won’t take you out of school. Your mother and I have worked hard to set up this opportunity that will launch your career.”

Static’s could hear Cornelius breathing get heavy almost if he was crying. Suddenly, there were two gunshots. Static hears Cornelius gasping and then clutching Static.

He heard two bodies hit the floor. But before Static could escape, Cornelius ran with him out to the car to drive him to safety. Static panicked in the car and started screaming at Cornelius “What the fuck just happened????” Cornelius slammed on the gas as Static is fighting him to answer him. Right when they’re about to get to Static’s house, Static leaps at Cornelius and he crashes into Static’s brick mailbox knocking out a headlight. Cornelius gets Static out of the car and to the steps of his house. He calls Harvey to come to Static’s, and that he is also quitting the band. Static’s heart drops as he hears this and Cornelius running back to his car slamming the door and driving off.

Static’s memory ends.

Static is in the back of the van that was heading to prom for their next gig crying. Looking at the two who never told him of his memories that were lost. Never questioning anything. Being led on this whole time. Were they using him? Why did he ever join the band?

Chapter 2

Verse 1: Interlude

Static tries to run, but he can’t see where he’s going again when he gets too far from the van. He also doesn’t remember where he was heading from. He gets to the road and starts running. But there’s an oncoming car. Cornelius quickly sprints and pulls static from the road and into the grass. Static can only hear voices. “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??” “Please stay. I can explain. I’m sorry I never got the chance to-“ Static is in a panic and blurts out. “Cornelius you’re a murderer? Why did you not say anything? Why did you guys avoid telling me???” Harvey looks at Cornelius who is now crying, but Static still can’t see. Harvey holds both of their shoulders. “Static, just listen to Cornelius.”

Everyone goes quiet and Cornelius starts to speak.

Verse 2: The Cadenza Tragedy

“That night was out of my control. I would be lying to say I wasn’t excited for prom. Your idea sounded like it was going to work. However, someone had informed my parents of my relationship with you. My father pulled me into the living room with my mother. It first started off with questions. Questions if I was skipping school. If I was avoiding my responsibilities. Suddenly my father began to hit me because he could see I wasn’t telling the full truth. At this point I reached for a gun on the mantel and fired a warning shot. I was going to use the gun to make an escape as I knew my parents' wrath would only get worse. But then you came down stairs. I thought with someone present they would understand not to act out. My goal became to protect you until 2 shots came from inside the house. I couldn’t pinpoint where they came from, but my parents were both killed. I ran you to the car so you didn’t get killed as well. I couldn’t explain what happened, I just didn’t want you part of my troubles. After I dropped you off at your house I ran away. I didn’t know if the police were going to blame me. I changed my hair. I changed my style. I dropped out. I did everything I could physically stay hidden for these past years. The only time I came out of hiding was to retrieve part of my parents' assets from the attorney as the rest were swept away. In the end I only had enough for the first year I stayed in hiding. Since I took up random jobs when I could and I’ve lived in the old van.

I don’t know who killed my parents. I just began to assume it’s not safe for me to be around people. It’s in my blood. When I sent that email to you just wanting to talk it out, but then everything happened. I thought we might be able to just start over again with this second chance.”

Cornellius then bowed his head as he felt himself dig his grave. Memories of everything that night haunt him as he ran from his parents who were bleeding on the floor. Even though his parents were using him, this was his escape. But it only made his life worse. He didn’t know if he was labeled as a possible murderer as his only alibi being his boyfriend. The case became a mystery when he and his little brother went missing. The news didn’t have enough to carry the story to assume and the only thing they could report was how the family mansion had burned. The mystery of the Cadenzas draped over Cornelius' life, and he didn’t know when it would be safe for him to come out of hiding.

Static got back in the van and they went back to driving. Cornelius stayed silent as Harvey watched over his two friends.

Chapter 3

Verse 1: The Tour

The Maize had been a band since roughly high school. They had some hiccups, but this was about to be their first full concert tour. The excitement and build up of selling tickets had all come to this. Everyone saved up just enough to make it between stops. While filling up the van, Harvey called shotgun. Static looked over to Cornelius with a slight shrug. They had both figured they would have time to talk during the trip but at least they were still together. Static secured the equipment one last time then buckled himself into the back seat area. Cornelius then hit the highway.

Along the way they stop for food till they reach the city. They still had about 2 days till their first concert. Stopping at restaurants got pricey so Harvey suggests they just stop at gas stations and get snacks between the city stops.

Everything was going fine. They made their next pit stop and Cornelius got out of the van to pump for gas while Harvey and Static headed inside for snacks. Cornelius felt his phone vibrating and pulled it out. It was a call from his brother. He hardly ever heard from him. In fact it had been years since he last heard from him. He answered. On the other side was a soft voice“... Hey…big brother...I know you’re gonna be mad, but I’m in jail and need your help. Can you bail me out?” The voice cracks from his younger brother shattered his heart. Maybe this was a chance for them to come back since their parents death and he caved. “... How much is it?”

“$4,000”

Cornelius bites his lip when he hears how much money he needs. It was basically almost everything in his checking account just leaving him enough for gas till the next gig. Cornelius pulls on his hair while holding the phone and leaning against the van. Knowing Beet is his only connection to family and just he can’t lose him. “I’ll send you the money now.” He wires the money over.

Cornelius gets in the van and finds everyone is back inside as well.

“Did you get a good stretch? Need me to drive?” Harvey leans over jokingly. Cornelius smiles at Harvey and looks back at the road. “Maybe the next stop you can get your license.” Harvey looked shocked at the jab. Maybe his old friend was finally coming back. Cornelius drove on.

Harvey suggested that they stop at a motel for the night, but Cornelius insists that he keeps driving so they have time to practice. After some advising Harvey ends up falling asleep in the back, and Static decides to stay up with Cornellius as he drives. They finally had time alone together and they spent it awkwardly driving to a low hum of a tape. But in a way Static enjoyed just listening to music with Cornelius. His tastes were like a scene kid while he looked like a 80s vibe. Static leans his head back in the seat and glances over at Cornelius a few times.

At one point Cornelius' stomach growls. “Have you eaten anything today?” Static asks. “I haven’t been.. hungry honestly. It’s ok” Cornelius cuts the conversation by then switching the song. Static looking at Cornelius turns off the music, “Seriously, I know you have to be a little hungry and stressed. Let’s just pull over to the next gas station.” Cornelius felt the pressure from his kind of complicated relationship with Static.

Cornelius nervously pulls over to a gas station after Static keeps pushing him. He goes inside while Static is in the van. All he has left in cash is $56 dollars so he just gets a pack of gum. He goes back to the van to tell Static the truth, but by the time he gets back Static has fallen asleep on the passenger side so he decides to keep driving.

He gets to town early and decides to wake up his crew. Harvey mentions getting something to eat, but Cornelius oddly passes and says he’ll unload the van into the venue and catch them if he has time. Static worried about Cornelius thinking he’s stressed about the show promises to bring him back food.

Static and Harvey walk and usually they enjoy talking about funny banter, but Static is silent while walking as he thinks. “You can’t change a person Static..” Static looks over. “I know, I know I just can’t stop thinking about the fact that he’s been bottling up so much this whole time. I know he has to feel somewhat nervous finally showing his face again. I just wish I knew how I could help him.” Static looks down while walking. “Well at least kissing him brings him a jolt.” Static immediately blushes. “WAIT YOU KNOW?” Harvey laughs. “I’ve know you two always have a thing, although I am a bit surprised you recently both got back togethe-’ “I mean we haven’t yet. Just messing around.” Harvey sighs. We’ll definitely bring him back food. We have plenty of time till the show.”

Cornelius finishes unpacking and refills the same water bottle he’s been using all day again at a water fountain. He becomes more aware of his hunger when he starts to feel his arms get really heavy and tired. It had been almost 48 hours since he last ate a real meal. He also hadn’t given himself a decent chance to sleep, which didn’t help him with the exhaustion. While checking his phone, he goes to stalk his brother’s twitter feed. His band had gotten so popular it was weird he had no one was willing to help him out. Yet there he was, the most recent post talking about the next party he was heading too. Cornelius sighs. Of course his brother would just go right back to his habits. Cornelius decides to take a small rest since he knew his band mates would be back in an hour. After tonight’s practice he would feel a little bit more stable.

Static and Harvey get back around 3 because the bag of food never arrived and now they were running late. They start to set up and Static notices Cornelius looking exhausted taking a nap on the floor next to his keytaur. He wakes him up and hands him a V8 energy drink. Cornelius opens his eyes to see Static looking at him concerned. He had to not show his true colors to him. “No it’s ok. I’ll drink some water here in a bit. I was just tired from driving.” Later that night during practice, Cornelius felt himself shaking so badly he turned in for the night. Static tries to catch him before he goes to his room, but he quickly locks himself in. Static stands outside the door knocking until he realizes it’s not worth it and returns to his room with Harvey.

Cornelius wakes up a bit late and misses breakfast. He ended up falling asleep late even though he was exhausted just from driving. Harvey follows Static and they both bang on Cornelius' door. “It’s almost 10am we have to get to the venue to talk with the stage managers!” Jumping out of bed in pure panic, Cornelius grabs all his stuff and runs out the door with them. They pile into the van and Cornelius realizes that he forgot his keytaur. They still end up arriving on time even through all the mishaps.

The stage managers were passing looking for them and they quickly began prepping them for what was to come. VIP fans were to arrive around 5p so to set, tune and get makeup on they barely had time to spare. Cornelius during make up heavily covers up the bags under his eyes and takes his secret pill. From there he starts to feel his confidence again as he relaxes. He goes to Static who is busy posting on social media about the concert, and Cornelius sweeps by and kisses his cheek. Static blushes as he watches him walk away holding up a peace sign out of the room. ‘Maybe he’s feeling better,’ Static thinks to himself.

They get on stage and the lights are really bright. Cornelius grabs the mic and looks out to the fans. “Hey we’re The Maize, and we want to thank you all for joining us for the first part of the tour. Now are you ready to be A-Maized?” The crowd groans but then Cornelius smiles as Static begins to tap the drumsticks. Then the show begins.

They are playing their hearts out until Cornelius feels his heart fall out. He begins to sweat more than usual and he looks over at Harvey. ‘It’s only our first night and they’re having to pull out the back up song’ Harvey thinks as Cornelius runs behind stage. The last song he struggled to make it through as his stomach felt like it’s in knots. The dizziness got to Cornelius and he began to drink tons of water while In the meantime Harvey filled the stage with the back up song.

Cornelius kept trying to get a hold of himself before the song ended. His head had gotten so blurry he just lays against the wall. Shaking himself he takes another pill hoping it would energize him just enough. He shoots back up to the stage and he’s able to finish out the show.

While they’re collecting their gear, Cornelius has a splitting headache. He goes out to smoke his cigarettes. He tries to calm himself and Harvey comes out to tell him they got the cash for the gig. Cornelius gives him a vague rock on. Static join in to the group huddle and mentions they should go celebrate and eat, but then they notice their bandmates' eyes roll back.

Cornelius wakes up in the bed of a hotel room and Harvey and Static cheer when he wakes up. Static goes in and hugs. Harvey also leans over. “Dude we didn’t know what to do. We were about to take you to the hospital if you didn’t wake up. But. Static says he hasn’t seen you eat in awhile. What happened??” Cornelius sits up and grabs the water on his bedside. Static chimes in, “Were you nervous about showing your face still??” Cornelius shakes his head, “It’s complex.” He sips the water. “I….don’t have any money and I was scared to tell you guys because…… I didn’t want you guys to feel the need to give me money but.” He sighs. “I bailed my brother out and it cost me $4000 dollars to bail him… and I didn’t have money to eat…and”

Static grabs his hand, “I would have helped you.” Cornelius smiles and lays back. He still feels flushed from the drug he took. “Cornelius. I hope you know I love you and I’m not going to watch you suffer.”

Verse 2: Your new path

Cornelius woke up in the morning still in the hotel bed. It was still dark, but both Harvey and Static who spent the night in his room are gone. He thinks how they could have gone back to their rooms, and he tries to sit up to get himself downstairs for breakfast. He had still not eaten.

He tries to get up, but feels trapped by the bed. The pain his body was feeling from still having not eaten anything was hitting harder than yesterday. He calls Static’s phone. Static answers to which it sounds like he’s juggling stuff. “Hey I’ll call you back we’re getting food to take up.” Cornelius here’s the click before he can respond.

In bed while he’s waiting he tries to scratch out some lyrics. He just can’t get past the extreme brain fog his head is feeling. All he could think was how they really needed a new song soon considering they used their backup last night.

He hears his bandmates come back in. Static is holding two plates and 3 cups of water. Which normally isn’t a big deal except Static was a walking television that could electrocute himself if it fell on his headpiece. Which is why when Static has to wash his hair, he usually has a friend help him.

He’s about to spill it all over the hotel room, and Cornelius again tries to jump up. However, he sits up and everything is spinning so badly he nearly blacks out. Static quickly puts the stuff down on the table and rushes over. “Ahh stop you’ll hurt yourself!” Harvey catches the door after Static and it lands on his hip as he tries to balance food in as well. “Ahh the door the door.” Static rushes back to help Harvey and then they both help Cornelius sit up. They give him a piece of toast and jam to snack on just to start. The good news was their next gig was 3 days away so Cornelius had time to recover. Static and Harvey eat breakfast with him and they joke and later put on Spongebob. The latest they can check out is 2pm so while Cornelius is asleep Harvey steals the keys and leaves to go get gas in the car.

Cornelius wakes up to Static packing the bags and looking at this bag of pills. His eyes widen as he realizes what he’s holding. “Cornelius… are you ok? What are these?” As a child whenever a mother discovers something, Cornelius begins to panic and cry in shame. The fear of Static leaving him again grows and Cornelius tries to snatch the bag away. “I’m sorry I-i-i need those.”

Static, who is not the weak kid Cornelius knew in high school grabs his wrist and holds it in midair. The air feels still and Static’s eyes stare at Cornelius. He throws the pills into the corner and then holds Cornelius. They sit in an embrace for a bit as Static begins to talk. “I know you want to be better. I know you want to be someone new. But please don’t burn out… I know the pain you are feeling in your heart. You lost who you were. You lost your parental figures. You lost what path they made for you. But you can’t fake a new path by pretending… You can’t use these pills to change who you are when you get on that stage. People came to see you Cornelius. I’m here to see you. You don’t need to hide anymore. You don’t need to pretend to be strong because that’s what the band is for. We’ve band together to be something bigger.” Static has buried his face into Cornelius’ arm. “Seeing you fall over and not tell me what was wrong with you all day made me so scared I was going to lose you again...What happened in the past, is the past. You can make a new path now. You are the sun. You keep going and you never stop shining bright.” Static kisses Cornelius on the head as they both cry. Harvey comes back a few minutes after they stop embracing. “Guess who filled up the van all on their own!” Cornelius blankly stares at him. “YOU DROVE THE VAN?!?!?!?”

Verse 3: Don’t beet yourself up

We tune over to a red headed figure. Gas station. Cigarettes. A lighter. He showed his ID to the attendant. “You don’t look 24… and who names their kid Beet?” He slides a black credit card over, and the attendant shuts up and rings him up. Then it hit the attendant. “You’re!!” To which you don’t hear the ending because Beet aggressively leaves before making that final statement. He was tired. The long road trip was meant to clear his mind. It was all he wanted. Getting into his car he reared off, making his engine hiss at the gas attendant for his rude unnecessary comment. He drove pretty far out. He felt a twitch. He got almost a weird unnerving feeling. He kept driving till he saw a sign. It was a billboard in the distance and began to slow down. Plastered on front was an image of a band in town. He stopped the car. It was his brother’s old band name. It didn’t look like his brother, but he was pretty sure of it. ‘What was he doing all the way out here?’

Even though every change he still knew his older brother. His brother could never handle his nerves. He always reacted on the spot and it’s what drove him nuts. He put his foot on the gas and drove. What he loved about this area of the highway was there were never any cops. He drove on past the town to continue his road trip. His twitches, however, never stopped. He thought he wasn’t over thinking about it, but suddenly he realized that’s all his mind was thinking about. Excessively. Overthinking about his stupid older brother. Then when he was trying to space out he thought about family.

His family.

He started to panic. Beet almost lost control of the car from his vision getting blurry from the piling of stress. He couldn’t focus. He had no idea his life would change this much that night. He panicked. He felt the rush of heat going through his veins of anger, sadness. How was his brother able to move on And in the heat of the moment he u-turned back to the small town. Not knowing if he would find where his brother was. But he had to try to get it off his chest.

He drove into the small downtown and began to look for the venue. He felt his chest tighten. The more he walked. The more he regretted. After finding the venue he realized the date was for Saturday, which was two days from now. Falling to the floor and holding his head he heard nothing, but ringing in his ears. The sound of the muffled gunshots still lingering in his head. The feeling of waiting in a room. Waiting for his brother to find him. Where was he? Why wasn’t his brother here? He had to talk to him. He went over to a bench near the venue and did the only thing he knew. He numbed the pain he felt in his heart.

Verse 4: The dead Beet son

Their next stop on the tour was tomorrow. They packed up the van the night before and they were heading into the town. However, this town was where his parents were from. The words of his parents said lingered in his head: “You’ll never truly be free from this family. Your blood is our blood.”

Driving up to the venue, Static starts freaking out. “Holy!!!! There’s a dead guy on the bench!!” Cornelius halts the van and looks over. His eyes shrink.

Cornelius pulled over to the bench. The body that everyone else was confused turns out to be his brother’s. Still breathing, but completely out. Unlike Cornelius who had bleached blonde hair, his brother was crimson red. The two looked like an angel interacting with a demon. His brother had jammed a substance into his arm and was now just in a complete comatose. The body seemed so lifeless he didn’t know what to do.

Harvey suggested they head first to the hotel since they still needed to check in. Placing Beet in the van they started to drive. Cornelius couldn’t help it. He started crying. Static was sitting in the passenger seat and grabbed his hand. “I’m sorry Static, I just haven’t seen him since ….” They arrive at the hotel and they quickly check in and head upstairs. At this time Harvey got in contact with a medical professional that met them at the room. Cornelius looked at his brother and held his hands. They were ice cold and he just kept breaking down. Even though his brother brought so much grief, he couldn’t bear to see him in this state. The medic came with a heroin overdose kit and shortly Beet’s eyes began to open. The first person he saw was his brother. In a state of shock he wanted to hug him. But his arms felt like lead. Cornelius helped him sit up and he started to come to his senses after an hour. Everyone is kind of doing their own thing, but it’s pretty silent. Softly Cornelius spoke. “Why are you here?” Beet’s chest tightened. Everything hurt physically and mentally. He was trying to find the words to say. Then it hit him. “I saw the concert poster.” Cornelius gets shocked and then holds his face. “I knew that wasn’t going to cover anything. People are going to know now.” Beet laughed. “I mean you were dumb enough you changed everything, but your first name. Isn’t that like the one thing you’re suppose to hide?” Cornelius laughed. “I guess I was thinking this could be my new appearance, but I didn’t know if it would stop the blow.” Then he looked at Beet. “But our lives really changed… I feel like I’ve lost who I am somedays. I just wish I knew what happened so I could have done something. Do you remember?”

Beet sat up and leaned forward. “There’s a reason I don’t talk about it. Because…” Beet failed to find words. Cornelius gets up. “Look I’m sorry I didn’t come for you. I thought you had left ahead to the prom. I didn’t see your car when we left.” Beet’s leg was bouncing up and down. He fumbles suddenly to get a cigarette out and drops the box. Cornelius kneels beside him to pick it up and holds his leg. “You know we can’t smoke in the room...and I know it’s scary thinking back on that night…” He goes to hug Beet and his brother suddenly starts yelling. “YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND.. “ Cornelius becomes confused why his brother is lashing out. “Understand what? We both were in a state of shock. It’s alright.” Beet is shaking more. “I think I should go.” Cornelius grabs his arm. “ You don’t need to run. We’re together now. We can figure out who the killer was and we can reclaim our family's name-...” Beet just keeps shaking. “ That’s not possible…” He then begins to walk off. Cornelius pushes Beet back to the couch. “Let me at least apologize, I didn’t mean to leave you. But I honestly didn’t kill mom and dad. Someone else did and we need to figure out who it was-” “—I hired a killer—I - My friends told me things about our parents—they said I- so I- I didn’t know” Cornelius backs up. The whole room was focused on them. It’s dead silent. At this moment Static sees Cornelius start shaking. Static notions to Harvey. Beet looks up and finds Cornelius lunging at him, he’s only being held back by Harvey and Static. “FUCKING HELL. I HATE YOU. I HATE YOU. YOU RUINED EVERYTHING.” At this point Cornelius is at a loud cry. Beet is shaking so hard. Static stands up and walks towards them with Harvey.

“I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU. YOU’RE DEAD TO ME.” Beet is in a state of shock for a minute and then leaves. He can’t focus. His heart is beating so loud he can’t see or think. He just runs to his car. He knew this was going to happen, but he had to get it off his chest. Beet speeds off and Cornelius is left crying. The two brothers hadn’t been able to talk in so long . “Why… why did he have to do that..why did he have to come back into my life just to tarnish everything. The only one left in my family.” Static feels Cornelius’ heart racing.

Static can’t take. He steals the van to chases after Beet.

Verse 5: Beet vs the beats

Static had limitations. He knew who he was and what he was. He knew that there were a lot of things he wasn’t good at, but he knew how to keep Cornelius happy. He wasn’t going to let some bastard son that ruined a family ruin anymore joy. Especially one that can’t own up.

Beet was driving clearly the faster vehicle.

Beet was lost in his head.

No one understood him.

He watched his brother on stage and he wanted what he had. The golden sunlight of the stage lights on him. Their parents in the crowd. The applause for accomplishing a great task at the end.

So he asked his mom for a guitar for Christmas and she helped him find gigs, but it didn’t have the same effect. It felt unearned and as much as his mother adorned him. The attention was not the same level she fed Cornelius. Even Cornelius was caught in the end staring unable to look down at Beet.

Then Cornelius formed a band. Beet also wanted a band. Because that’s what Cornelius had. He put up a flyer. He was approached at school by Octavius, the original drummer to Maize. They met a few times so it wasn’t odd that a senior would approach a sophomore to join a band he had formed. The band was called “V” for vigilantes. Octavius talked about the cool work they would do to change the world. He felt like he was going to make a difference finally to the world. But instead he only made a difference to his world.

Beet just wanted attention.

He’d do anything.

Beet stuck the cover over his head. He counted to three.

Him and his brother played a game called “peek a boo ghost” as children where they would stick a sheet over there head and pop up fast to scare each other. Beet loved this game because he loved seeing the reaction on his brother’s face. Beet would find a spot in the house to hide and crouch real low and count to three as he waited for his brother to turn the corner. Then BOO. Beet would jump up to scare him. He didn’t know at the time that this attention was scarce and wouldn’t last forever. He felt he never cherished the moments long enoug.

Beet drove fast down the highway. Clocking almost 120-140mph. This time after popping up as the “ghost” didn’t feel the same. His brother was happy at first to see him, but he knew the results would be this when he came clean. Nothing he did or prepared could get him ready for the biggest game of ghost was about to play. Removing himself from his brother’s life forever.

He pressed on the gas so hard. However, Static was close behind. The van approached dangerous levels of speed. Static could feel the steering wheel shake in his palms as he tried to keep it steady.

Beet kept driving. Eventually both cars slowed down. Static tried to talk to him through the windows beside his car. What he saw was Beet’s red face (probably from crying) but then Beet reved up fast and was out of site.

Static didn’t know how far he was from his bandmates. He was out in the open area with enough gas to make it to the gas station he passed.

Beet sat and cried in the car when he made it to the next rest stop. Every song that played on the radio. New or old reminded him of his mistakes. The noise in his head was blaring so loud. He felt lost. He was lost. Where was his family when he needed one? Oh that’s right. He scared them away. He killed them. That was all on him. That’s his fault.

Beet parked his car and walked. He didn’t have a place he belonged so he wandered to find it.

Chapter 4

Verse 1: The Pink Hair Girl

It was the day of the spring festival. Their tour had intersected where a festival was held so they figured they would make an appearance to show off some of their new songs. It was a pretty big gig so they knew they needed to flex. What they didn’t know is even though spring had come, there were some fallen memories to pick up.

Backstage they pass a pink-haired girl. “BAH!”

Harvey freaks out at first thinking it’s his ex that passed by. Harvey had been dating a celebrity named Kelly Panther, and that’s as much as his bandmates knew.

“What are you sighing for?” Cornelius says as he turns to look back, and ends up turning pale.

“Is that…”

The pink hair girl ended up being Molly, Cornelius ex. Back when he initially went through his parents death, he went into hiding. Cornelius didn’t know if people were going to blame him for what had happened so initially he was living at a YMCA. There he was able to shower and stay the night.

One day after working out he ran into this girl decked out in 80s work out. She looked like a barbie doll. “Love the vibe you put off!” He said while both were walking off. She blushed and looked around and saw the dirty brown-haired lanky skater boy. Every Tuesday and Thursday they would run into each other randomly. Cornelius would compliment her style and she would finger gun nervously. It was unlike her to be so nervous, but his fair-freckled face flustered her.

One day while she finished teaching her work out class Molly approaches Cornelius. “Hey! Let’s eat lunch together!” Cornelius smiled, but then passed. “I don’t really have the expenses to go out sadly, and I’d hate to have you pay.” Molly grabs his hand and asked if he’ll have lunch at her place. Cornelius takes her offer. There she discovers a little bit more about him. “Wait, you've been sleeping at the YMCA for 6 months??” Cornelius sighs. “Ya, it’s a long story. You’re really the first person I’ve talked to since everything happened.” Molly sat with him. She was used to dealing with these hard moments. There were a ton of people she trained that would dance for a reason: stress, weight control, failing marriages.

And she felt he needed a reason to dance.

Being the kind heart that she was, she was used to volunteering for the YMCA not just for their dance classes, but for their social aid so she allowed Cornelius to stay with her at her place.

It was awkward at first. Nearly everyday he had a moment of panic. He would immediately begin to try and pack his things or tidy his area before she came back. She would catch him in the act a lot. She mostly just tried to let him run through his course of emotions and then try to help him.

It wasn’t until the day she caught him trying to bleach his own hair she had to take matters into her own hands. She couldn’t see him create such a disaster for himself. “I don’t know what you’re going through, but I’m here to help you not look like you just fried your hair.” Cornelius flinched as he didn’t see her come in. His hands in little plastic gloves about to put the bleach on his hair and Molly stopping him. She takes the solution and sits him down in a chair with his head over the sink. She gently applies the solution on his soft chestnut hair, and he slowly trusts her.

After he looks in the hand mirror and sighs. He wasn’t used to being blonde, and it made him look so pale. Molly is confused why he’s so upset by this, and tries to cheer him up by letting him try clothes in her closet. She pulls out a shirt that’s a bit over sized for her and hands it to him. “Here try this on with these funky shades!” Cornelius takes off his tee in front of her without really thinking, and she blushes. Sliding the new shirt on he looks and sees the fun bright patterns. He smiled and then put on the glasses. There was a moment where he looked and saw someone else. This person wasn’t afraid. “Heyyyy time to get some tunes on and dance!” He said jokingly. Molly laughed and told him to get his shoes.

It’s late at night, but they made it to Molly’s studio. Cornelius is confused though. “Uh Molly, it’s pretty late. Should we just come back during the day?” Molly laughs realizing he’s absolutely confused. “So Sorry. I volunteer at the ‘Y’ to give people who have never danced a try. But I own this studio, so we can come dance here whenever.” She unlocks the doors and kicks on the lights. The studio was an open room with a wooden floor and a big mirror. Cornelius finally got a good look at himself in the mirror and realized how much he had changed. He had lost so much weight and his now blonde hair brought out his fair-skin and freckles so much. But the one thing that brought him joy was the 80s print Molly gave him. Suddenly music started playing. Molly walked around the sound system and grabbed his hand. “Come on dance with me!” Cornelius blushed and they danced to 80s funk.

At some point of the night Molly sits almost exhausted from the fact she’s been dancing for 2 hours non-stop. Cornelius sits next to her on the wall after getting a water bottle from her mini fridge. “I like the fun magnets you put on there. They’re really cute.” Molly smiles. “Thanks, Neo gave them to me as a Christmas gift.” Molly looks in the mirror and then suddenly Cornelius' head lays on her shoulders.

She blushes.

His head was so light. He was so fragile, she never wanted to hurt him. She let him rest of a bit longer just to admire.

She shakes Cornelius awake shortly. “Hey, let's go back to my place to rest.”

They manage to make it back and Cornelius takes the couch as he has for the past few weeks.

Their relationship stays loose. Cornelius ends up joining her dance studio and becomes a partner for her. Everything seems perfect, and Molly thinks she’s really changed him for the better.

But then the night came.

Verse 2: Secrets

Cornelius and Molly were in a complicated relationship. The dance partner thing made everything messy as Molly fell more in love with him. He was beautiful and prince-like. But the one major flaw she kept trying to look past was his panic attacks. They were unlike anything she had normally dealt with. Along with the fact they were never able to go outside her place during the day. She felt he was ashamed of her.

One day she came home to Cornelius crying. He had a bottle of vodka in his hand. Molly was shocked.

“Why are you drinking during the day? What happened now?” Cornelius’ eyes had a story he could never tell. And it was the only story she asked him to explain. “Please. You can tell me anything.” Molly was holding his face. She kept trying to find the answers in his eyes. She had for months.

But this time he finally cracked a little.

“I…was part of a band in high school. I just kind of saw something and it reminded me of them…”

Molly knew this wasn’t the whole truth, but it was the most she knew.

She stayed with him for most of the night and then went to bed. In the morning she woke up to find Cornelius sitting on the couch still awake. She grabs his arm and begs him to tell her what’s wrong and he just keeps crying. She gives him a bottle of water and after a long gulp he opens up.

“I … can’t say everything but. I used to have a… really close friend. We were kids, but we never made it to prom. The last time we danced, you put on Dancing Queen and it - ah. It made me nervous about everything. About losing friends... ”

Molly was a mixed bag of emotions. She begins to feel a little heated from hearing this. “Well I’m not them! I’m different. I wouldn’t leave you in the state that you’re in.” Molly tries to calm down a little. “Besides, you need to learn how to get past it in a healthy manner.” She looks at Cornelius. There was one truth he was still hiding because he couldn’t meet her eyes.

She let him rest while she went to work and things returned to normal for a while. He still didn’t go out in public with her. Every week they had to bleach his hair. And there was always a moment he would end up crying. This went on for over a year. Molly had great patience. She loved Cornelius more than anything and just wanted him to be happy.

One day after she got home she came home to him cooking. When she looked at him she saw what she had been wanting to see. He looked healthy and fit. She smiled. He approached and hugged Molly tightly. “I just want you to know, I appreciate you.” Molly, out of excitement reached up and kissed him on the lips. They stood by the window in the sunshine. That was the day they finally found new love.

Verse 3: Flaw

Sadly they had one flaw to their relationship. A secret that burdened them.

Started one evening after they both got home from the studio. Their Friday tradition was to watch Dateline and make bagel bites while snuggling. Molly had gotten up to get more food.

It had been years since he went into hiding. Life had balanced out. He still didn’t enjoy going out in public during the day, but Molly finally thought she had found the answer thinking it was something to do with crowds that brought him fear.

Then the tv came back from commercial break. “On Dateline, we have a story that we’re going to unravel. Cedric and Cordelia Cadenza found to have been shot in their home before their home burned to the ground. But what happened to the two brothers that went missing after this incident? After almost a decade hear from one of the remaining sons to the Cadenza fortune and this shocking story.”

Cornelius turns pale.

Molly comes in and sits down and he immediately turns off the tv. “Hey what’s going on? Why are you so jumpy?” She goes to touch Cornelius and he backs away.

There’s a moment when something finally clicked. The look in his eyes. Molly had seen this and thought about it from time to time even though Cornelius had been healthy. The first couple of years they had been together this happened often. “Cornelius are you ok?”

“Ya I just need to go walk.” Molly tags along. It’s dead silent on their walk. She wonders if it’s her fault. If she caused something. Suddenly she grabs his arm. “Please tell me what you’ve been holding on to. Please.” Then Cornelius begins to cry.

There’s a moment where he almost tells her, but he realizes he doesn’t want her to get hurt or caught up. “I’m sorry Molly. I can’t. I”

Molly begins to get upset as well. “You should be able to tell me everything. Why are you upset? Is it me? Do I cause this?” Cornelius interjects. “No you’re wonderful.” Molly snaps back. “Then why were you unhappy all the time those years ago? Why is it suddenly back? What changed??” Cornelius interjects without thinking. “BECAUSE I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT STATIC AND WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT.”

Molly’s eyes open wide. Who was Static? Was he holding a secret back about who he truly loved? There was more Molly didn’t know? After all this time. She snapped.

She runs back home and locks Cornelius out. She begins to pack up his stuff and throws it outside.

“I’M NEVER GOING TO BE ENOUGH FOR YOU! YOU’RE NEVER GOING TO FULLY TRUST ME! YOU SHOULD JUST LEAVE NOW!” She slams the door without thinking what this was going to do to her.

Cornelius sat on the sidewalk with his keytar slightly damaged and all his clothes thrown all over the ground. Cornelius had hit rock bottom.

From here he spiraled out of control until he met his band mates again. Cornelius snaps back to reality as he meets Molly dead in the eyes.

He looked at Molly with fear in his head. And she looked at him, her eyes full of a new fire.

Cornelius tries to say something, but the only words that were spoken were from Molly.

Now as much as Molly’s anger consumed her that one day, what Cornelius lacked to know was that Molly forever grew. She had found new love and new passions. She learned to put her anger into things to help others. She opened her mouth after looking at his two bandmates who were shocked as well. Molly was a well known dance instructor now for a group called the Starlets and everyone knew who she was.

“I’m proud of you Corny.” She then gave a small smile and turned to keep heading back stage.

He reached out and grabbed her wrist before she walked away. “Molly... I’m sorry for how I treated you.” He looked her straight in the eyes. “Thank you for everything you did for me all those years ago. I never thanked you enough”

Molly looked at him. She knew how direct of a person he was and she went to hug him. It was this moment where Molly said, “I forgive you.” And things clicked.

Molly’s forgiveness changed Cornelius that day.

Verse 4: Rose colored glasses

Once things had settled, Static turned to Harvey. “Why were you freaking out?” Cornelius also looked up and smiled. “Did you think you saw Kelly?” Harvey immediately got flustered. He hadn’t told either what had happened. Of course they both knew of the popstar, she had recently dropped another album. And she also dropped him.

“Well actually…” Cornelius stops smiling realizing he struck a nerve with Harvey. “Hey, wait, you don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. I’m sorry I-” Harvey interrupts him. “It’s fine dude, you didn’t know.” Static chimes again. “Where did you even meet her, she’s literally an icon.” Harvey felt super underwhelmed. Ya she was a high end celebrity, but you know they were also a cool band.At this moment, Static’s eyes flash to the teen magazine that he always had a soft spot for. He was skimming to find anything about them to get ahead in the conversation.

“HEY NOW JUST WAIT. I CAN SEE YOU LOOKING YOU KNOW!” Harvey then leaned back. They still had over an hour till they were on stage.

“Fine. I’ll tell you guys what happened.” Harvey sighed and they both got comfy in the dressing room. “Well, remember the fall festival?” Both of them smiled as they remembered the good times. “Well...Kelly was there as a special guest. She said it was because some politician flew her out to help get votes. But anyways - since we weren’t a major city she ended up spending time playing carnival games and that’s when we met.” --- Queue flashback ---

Kelly bumps into Harvey while looking at the prizes. “Oh shi-” Harvey looked over at a pink-haired girl in an iridescent outfit. He realized fast it was the popstar who was on stage earlier. She had gotten ahead of her entourage and was really excited for this prize. “I’m so sorry. I just really want that heart guitar. I saw it when coming in and I thought it was so pretty.” Harvey kind of star struck makes the kind gesture. “Do you … want me to win it?” Kelly is flustered. “Ahh I mean I can give you the cash, I doubt you’ll get it on the first try.” Harvey, trying to not look like the 5 '9'’ man that he is, puffs his chest and goes “Nah I got this.” $85 dollars later, and he was holding a bunch of smaller prizes. He had this but he didn’t have that. Harvey was embarrassed. “Well, I’m out of dough haha…guess I’ll get going.” Kelly immediately got more money out for him at a kiosk. It was about $700 in cash. “LET’S KEEP GOING!!” Harvey looks at her like, ‘what the .. is she for real… or…’ Then Kelly took the shot. And missed. Up until announcements they were playing the game for the guitar and had won everything else on the stand.

Kelly also now defeated slumps onto Harvey’s shoulder. “I should have just bought a custom guitar….. I’m such an idiot.” Harvey tries one more time, pushing the hair out of his face, that’s when Kelly stops him and hands him her hair tie. “Here, to keep your hair out of your face.” Harvey had not realized he lost his hair tie when they were performing and without anything to pull his hair back he struggled with it falling in his face. “Thanks for the scrunchie! Haha.” He put the hot pink scrunchie in his hair. He aimed the shot and finally made it. They finally won. All thanks to the lucky scrunchie.

Kelly was so excited. She told Harvey to keep the rest of the money as she held the guitar. “Well I guess I need to learn now.” Harvey paused. “Wait, you don’t know how to play?” Kelly laughed. “Ahh I just fake playing on stage… don’t tell anyone… I’m supposed to take lessons soon…but it’s hard being on tour all the time.”

Harvey can tell that Kelly said something brutally honest to a stranger. He realizes how much more human she actually was. “Well I can help you. I play bass but I also know guitar. My bandmates and I are pretty chill if you ever want to come over and hang.”

Kelly held her guitar. “I can’t really go anywhere for a long period since I need to travel. This festival has been the most relaxing event I’ve done in awhile. But if you’re available I’ll take some virtual lessons. What’s your number?”

Harvey blushes and they exchange numbers, and Kelly leaves to go on stage to help announce the winner as Harvey meets up with his bandmates.

He forgot to give her back the scrunchie, and he ended up texting her that night.

She tells him to keep it for good luck.

Verse 5: Quiet on set

Harvey began to give Kelly virtual lessons over the phone. In the beginning it was just as simple as playing a few notes and learning chords. But it was harder to hear the tonality of the strings. So Kelly decided to visit Harvey often in their small town for in-person lessons. They would start the time by going to get food then spending the rest of the evening in Static’s house practicing.

Harvey was kind of a punk when it came to protecting Kelly. He really wanted to make sure she felt safe when they were hanging out. Sometimes people would recognize her, but it was all very tame since their town was so small. She had captured his heart, but there was a flaw to their love.

Once the band got bigger, Kelly no longer took the pitstop as their tour was also traveling. Months passed and whenever their tour spots lined up, Kelly and Harvey would sneak out. She usually picked the spots and paid for everything.It wasn’t uncommon for them to end the night in each other's arms. Usually talking about how life touring made them feel, but nothing too personal. Usually after their night together was over Kelly would leave for the evening.

One weekend Kelly was in town an extra day and they stayed up the whole night together. Kelly was laying her head on Harvey’s chest facing away. This night was different from most because they had the extra day. She felt no pressure to wrap things up quickly and make it back to her hotel. “Harvey … What’s the point of being famous if we can’t enjoy it with others?” Harvey looked down studded. Not only had Kelly’s inflection changed (It was usually very bubbly sounding, turned into a slur of words that sounded like city folks when they say “I’m walkin’ here!”) but she was not smiling. Kelly realized quickly that she did that. “I’m sorry that’s just my city-folk slippin’ out of me like you midwesterns would say.” She sighed. Harvey hugged her. “What do you mean by that? What’s on your mind?” Kelly, still facing away, rubs her thumb on Harvey’s hand. “When I was little my parents had great aspirations for me. To be someone special for the world. I got internships and really got through the whole talent search process easier than I thought. But … as soon as gigs piled up, I stopped seeing my family. It was like the one thing I wanted was money to hang with my family, was now gone.” She sighed.

Harvey looked down and closed his eyes. “It’s hard but, I think you always have time later you know?” Kelly still wasn’t looking at him. He felt something wet sprinkle his hands. They didn’t talk. He just held Kelly. The silence was heavy as he rocked her. “I miss seeing my brother… I used to live with him and my parents before the band started hanging again. I thought for years. Wow this guy is annoying as hell. He is 10 years older than me so I mean - age gap. Heh…He always talked about the symphony. How much he loved conducting. He would tear down my posters I hung in his apartment and put up his own. It was annoying. But, I miss our late night talks at the table while I was working on coding. I miss when he would get me to the couch and set my alarm so I wasn’t late. He was punctual. I wasn’t. But we worked things out. The band is everything to me. All I ever honestly wanted when growing up in high school. But there’s parts of me that just miss seeing my family doing this tour thing.”

Kelly turned around. She hadn’t put on makeup today and she blessed herself she didn’t because she was crying. She looked up to Harvey and put her hand on his cheek. “I love the color of your soul.” Harvey blushed. It was rare for him to blush, but Kelly was so beautiful.

He leans in and kisses her. They had kissed before while flirting. But this was a kiss he meant. He loved Kelly and all she aspired to be. He also loved the parts of her that fell flat. Her kirks she hid from the camera. As they separated lips, he kissed her again and ran his hands through her hair. It wasn’t styled. The curls naturally fell. Everything about her was so pure at times even though he knew she faked a lot of her.

“Kelly” She looked up at him. Her eyes were big and he realized she was also at a loss of words. “I’ll never leave you Kelly. I’ll be here for you.” Chapter 4: verse 6

Fame came with emptiness. While Harvey saw Cornelius and Static rekindle, Harvey and Kelly’s texts got more and more spaced out. He sighed as this was bound to happen. They never called themselves official to avoid being exes. But for some reason this was worse. Harvey hated watching new music videos with her co-starring with other love interests. He felt so lonely. But he couldn’t bring himself to text her. But she called him.

It was breakfast time and he just sat down with food. His phone started to buzz and there was a moment where his call told him that this was not a good sign and he hesitated picking up. This was the call. Cornelius and Static hadn’t woken up yet. He was alone and this was a confirmation he was.

He picked up.

“Hey Harvey. Been awhile.”

Harvey gulped. God he hated this so much already. He was grateful she was doing this not so close as to not see his face.

Her voice was dry. It sounded not like her normal bubbly self. Kelly always had such a sweet voice that made the syrup on his plate taste like water.

“Hey- K-elly…”

He stopped himself from saying her pet name. He missed her so much. He missed what they had. But she was different now. She … was a global pop star.

Kelly softly sighed on the phone.

“I… well I just…”

Why was she tripping over words. What was happening.

“Harvey, heh.. I just really missed hearing your voice…”

He melted for her all over again.

“I missed yours too.” I couldn’t help but interrupt.

Kelly laughs lightly. “Harvey, I just wanted to let you know a few things before I go - I”

“Before you go?? Is everything alright???” Oh god I’m - Kelly please.

“I’m ok! I uh … just really wanted to thank you for being my teacher.”

His heart sank. That’s all she saw him as.

“You’ve done a lot for me, and I’m sorry I never called. My career took off and I’m heading out to Japan to work on multiple projects. I think you’ll like this one. I’ll be a little cute pink cat. They already showed me the design. But - I”

Harvey’s emotions were everywhere. His eyes were starting to get painfully hot from holding back tears.

“I just wanted to say goodbye. I mean. I just feel like our schedules won’t line up - I didn’t want to leave your life hanging.”

*Wait they were together wait huh?*

“Kelly wait, what do you mean - Kelly”

She was starting to choke on the other line.

“Harvey I hope The Maize takes you places. I’ll always remember you.”

Hot tears pooled at the edges of his eyes. Before he got a chance to speak she had cut the line. At the table Harvey held his head.

The house was so quiet.

He was alone.

To stop himself from crying he stuffed his face with breakfast. To ease the feeling of loneliness he kept eating. Harvey started to get really sick from the sweetness of the pancakes.

After forcing the last bite he got up and ran to the bathroom and threw up.

Cornelius had open the bathroom door after hearing noises.

His bandmates just thought he was sick that day.

——————————-

The feeling as he enters the present conversations washes over him. He shouldn’t have told this story before a concert. He missed her and seeing Molly’s pink hair made him go into a mass panic. He had found love. He missed his chance. He should have just followed her, but he had the band.

He runs past his friends.

Verse 6: Follow

Would she pick up if he called?

What time was it there? He checked his phone. He had to hear her voice.

Harvey was in a back hallway shaking when Molly found him.

“Hey! - uh you're Cornelius’ friend! Are you ok?”

Oh god not pink hair. Not pink hair.

He closed his eyes and nodded. Her inflection didn’t match Kelly’s. He just had to keep his eyes closed and somehow call her.

Molly looked down the hallway to see if she could find his band mates. “Hold on for a second…”

He opened his eyes and hit Kelly’s name. The phone rang for a bit until it was cut off by the voicemail. It was almost 2am there. He had to get it together. They had a concert in the next 45 minutes. A music festival.

Harvey was shaking a bit, but had calmed down.

Cornelius had run up to him and nearly slammed him against the wall.

“Harvey, we’re here. It’s ok. I’m - it’s ok.”

He felt Static brush through his hair trying to move it from his eyes as Cornelius hugged him.

He had been their glue for over a year. Always trying to keep them happy. It felt so nice being in his friends’ warmth. Cornelius' hug enveloped him and he forgot the lost feeling again.

He was found. The band was here for him.

After some time they all got up. Cornelius thanked Molly and she gave a quick cheer for them.

While they were walking to their dressing room, Harvey felt his phone buzz. It was a text from Kelly.

Message from Kelly

“Hey, sorry I can’t call right now. I hope you’re ok.”

Harvey pauses. He then knows how to respond.

He grabs his friends for a quick selfie. His eyes were still red from crying, but he closed his eyes and smiled brightly with the two of them on his side.

“What was that for?” Static asked.

“I want to remember this.” Harvey briefly said. He quickly and secretly wrote a text back to Kelly.

Kelly waited with her phone as she saw the three dots.

Message from Harvey

“Working hard to get to Japan”

Attached was the image of his band mates smiling while walking to their dressing room.

Kelly smiled and hearted the message.