Work Text:
Simon
6:39am
Walking down the halls, Simon rigs his figures together trying to compose himself. He can feel his nerves grow by the second. He replays the image in his mind of how he should break the devastating news to his friends. He wonders if he should ease them into it or just come out with it as if he’s ripping off a band-aid.
Either way, Simon knows he needs to keep calm. He can’t go into the studio looking like a wreck. Moving down the hall, the harsh fluorescent lights hurt his eyes after walking for so long in the dark outside. The halls feel quieter than usual. Eerie, almost as if a specter of death is watching him. Simon thinks that the nerves of the day are finally starting to get to him. Speeding up his steps, Simon rushes down the empty hall towards the recording booth.
Opening the door, he spots Ayub next to the sound board unpacking his things. He usually takes the back entrance, where he parks his bike, and takes in any equipment he might have brought with him.
“Hey Simme, what are you doing here? Do we have a session scheduled?”
Moving to take a look at the recording schedule that’s taped to the window of the recording booth, Ayub continues. “I don’t think you’re scheduled for today.”
“No, I’m just here to hang out with you for a bit.”.
“Wow Simme. Sure! I actually have something cool to show you. I got this new mix that I think would go great with your voice. You’re going to love it. Just let me set up real quick and I’ll show you.”
As Ayub says this, he notices Simon wearing an uncharacteristically gloomy expression. He asks, “Hey Simme, is something wrong?”
Simon, not having the heart to tell him just yet, cautiously says no with a forced smile and pulls up the chair he usually sits in when Ayub works his magic. He thinks his smile must be convincing enough because Ayub drops the topic in favor of showing him his masterpiece. He watches in silence beside him as he plugs the board into the sound system. Grabbing his backpack, which is leaning against the leg of his chair, Ayub pulls out his computer and places it gently onto the desk in front of him.
Logging into his computer and pulling up his songs folder, Ayub opens up his in-progress work. He then proceeds to explain with a cheerful excitement, “Ok, here we go! I swear Simme, this is probably one of my best works yet!”
Twiddling with some of the buttons on the panel in front of them, Ayub brings up the track and starts playing it through the loudspeakers. The instrumentals come in with a strong base. Simon, for a brief moment, disregards his feelings and nods in excitement as the track plays.
Ayub explains to Simon as the music continues to play, “Well, first off, it's a 4/4 track, so you'll be able to easily follow along with the rhythm. The beat is solid, and it's got a driving kick drum that really anchors the track from the very beginning. We've got a mix of electronic and organic elements, like crisp hi-hats, shakers, and even some hand drums, which give the track an exotic flavor. See here how we’re bringing back the main melody and the energy ramps up again? After the second chorus we strip things down to just a pulsing baseline and a snare drum with a heavy reverb. It creates this mesmerizing moment of anticipation before we explode back into the main melody with full force. It’s pretty amazing isn’t it, Simme.”
The track is astounding; Ayub has truly outdone himself. Simon could already picture the melody blasting through the speakers of a grand auditorium, while the audience cheers as the lyrics begin with an electrifying bang.
“Yeah, it’s absolutely breathtaking.” Simon says with mixed emotions of enthusiasm and sadness.
Unfortunately, Simon’s feelings of sadness must have overpowered his enthusiastic reaction for Ayub’s work because he immediately turns around to him with a confused look. “Hmm, did you not like it? You don’t have to be so nice. Give me your honest opinions, I can change it up no problem.”
“Absolutely not!” Simon assures with a shake of his head. “It’s wonderful. I enjoyed every second of it.”
“Ok then, what's the problem? You can tell me anything, Simme.”
The sincerity in Ayub’s stares seems to be burning a hole into Simon’s soul. Unable to hold eye contact for a second longer, Simon dips his head down to look at his lap rather than Ayub’s eyes. He didn’t know how to start. He didn’t want to just straight up tell him about Death-Cast. He decides he wants to ease him into it.
Taking a deep breath and bracing himself for the worst, Simon chokes out, “So you know how, when I was younger, I would have those occasional heart pains and go to the hospital for checkups?”
“I remember, Simme.” Ayub responds cautiously, “Is it hurting again? Do you want me to accompany you to the hospital?”
“No, you don’t have to...” Simon continues, “It’s not that. So ummm, I always thought that one of these days that there would be a good chance that my heart might just randomly give out. I have been lucky so far but it looks like my good fortune has run out.”
“What the hell do you mean, Simme!? You seem fine to me. Has something happened?”
“Well Ayub, I don’t know how else to put this but… I got the call...”
“What call?” Ayub asks with a hesitant look.
“The call, the Death-Day call.”
Simon watches for Ayub’s reaction with mounting anticipation. The look on Ayub’s face slowly morphs into an expression that he can’t quite understand. Was it confusion, sadness, or dumbfoundedness?
“Come on Simme.” Ayub states in exasperation, “That’s not something to joke about.”
“I’m not joking.”
Biting at his lip, Simon watches as Ayub’s brain tries to process this ridiculous news. “Are you sure they didn’t call the wrong person?”
“I’m sure they got the correct Simon Eriksson, Ayub. I got the call this morning.”
With that, the news seems to finally register with him. Ayub’s expression now seems more predictable as Simon deciphers his expression of shock and disbelief, “No, you can’t be serious. You actually got the call. Why did it have to be you!? I don’t even know what to say...”
As Simon witnesses the distress in Ayub’s voice, He starts to feel his tears building in his eyes. He then responds, “I know, I can’t believe it myself either. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”
“Are you even sure it’s your heart that’s the problem?”
Replying with a shaky voice Simon responds, “It honestly doesn’t matter one way or another. There’s no getting around this. You know as well as I do how Death Cast works.”
“Ok, then what can we do? What should we do? Tell me what I can do?” Ayub panickedly stutters.
“Let’s call Rosh. I don’t want to die without telling her. She doesn’t deserve to find out about this second hand.”
“Of course, Simon.” Ayub says, quickly fumbling to get his phone out of his pocket. He opens it up with a swipe and moves directly to his contacts. Scrolling to Rosh, he presses down on the video call without hesitation.
The phone rings a few times before it connects. Rosh’s face comes into frame. She’s dressed fully in her football gear, hair tied back neatly behind her. “Ok y’all better make this quick. I have all day practice and the coach is going to kick me off the team if I show up late.”
Her face falls immediately as her eyes land on her friend’s faces. Even through a screen, the three friends have built a strong enough connection to immediately know when something is wrong with another. “Hey, what happened? Who do I have to beat up?”
“Hey Rosh,” Simon says with a forced chuckle, “Oh, no one. I promise.”
“Oh okay.” Rosh replies relaxing a little, “Then why do you guys look so sad. Did someone die or something?”
And what a statement that was. As Rosh made the comment, the demeanor on Ayub and Simon’s faces suddenly shift.
“What the heck, is something wrong?
After an awkward pause, Ayub decides to speak up as it was obvious to him that Simon wasn’t going to say anything. “Well, you’re not too far off the mark.”
“What do you mean, did someone get a death day call? Can you guys just tell me already?”
In awe of Rosh’s perceptiveness, Simon concedes to her questions and musters up the courage to talk. “It’s me Rosh, I got the call”.
“No fucking way Simon, you're joking.” Rosh’s voice comes out cracked. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
Simon feels a wave of sadness take over him. Rosh is usually the last one in their friend group to get emotional. If she was holding back her despair, how was he supposed to keep it together? He shakingly brings his hand up to his mouth as he speaks. “No, I'm not Rosh. I really got the call.”
“This shouldn’t be happening.” she says, shaking her head, “Is there nothing we can do about it?”
“You know there isn’t Rosh. That’s not how it works.” Simon says with a sigh of frustration. Does his friends not understand that this was the end. There's no undo button. “I just wanted to call and say goodbye.”
“Oh Simme, how can I say goodbye. We were supposed to have more time. Is it your heart? I bet it’s your heart. Your doctors said you had more time.”
“I know Rosh. But they were wrong.”
“But how could they be wrong?” Simon could hear the rage and indignation rising in Rosh’s voice, “I was there for so many of your visits. They said you were fine. You were supposed to be fine.”
Tears are streaming down his face now. “I know Rosh, but I’m not fine.”
“Maybe it isn’t your heart.” Ayub adds in a hopeful tone.
“Don’t be naive Ayub.” Rosh snaps at him “Simme's not just another one of those stupid idiots that goes and gets themselves hit by a car. And it doesn't really matter anyway now does it. He’s dying one way or another.”
“Exactly,” Simon cuts in. “Let’s just calm down. Yelling at each other isn’t going to make the situation any better.”
“You’re right Simme. I’m sorry for losing my cool.” Rosh apologizes with Ayub nodding along. “But we were supposed to be in each other's lives forever.”
“And I really want that.” Simon responds almost pleadingly, “You have no idea how much I want that. I was supposed to be there when you went pro.”
“And I was supposed to be there when you became a superstar. You know I still have all those great poster ideas.” Rosh adds in.
“I know Rosh.” Simon says with a wet laugh, “They're so cheezy.”
“No they're not, they're amazing and you love them.”
“Yeah, I really do.”
A moment of silence falls in the room as the friends look at each other. Simon goes back to looking at his lap, unable to keep looking at the devastation on his friend’s faces.
He is pulled out of his own reverie by the sound of Rosh’s voice. “Oh God, I remember it like it was yesterday.”
“Remember what?” Simon asks.
“The day we met.”
“I remember it too. It was all the way back in Grundskola.”
“You were friends with Ayub first and I remember him dragging you to watch the students playing football on the school lawn.”
“Yeah” Ayub adds, “You were top dog even then.”
“Don’t I know it.” Rosh states matter-of-factly, making the group laugh.
“Oh and Simme when I finally got you to agree to play ” Ayub continues, “that was quite the disaster. He was so terrible at football. Still is. I remember watching you trip over your own feet and accidentally scoring a goal for the other team. I swear by the time it was over, I thought you were going to drop me as a friend.”
“Oh god,” Rosh exclaims as Simon tries to hide his blushing face in his hands. “It was hilarious! But that's when I knew we were going to be great friends. You may have been terrible at football, but you had an incredible sense of humor and a heart of gold.”
With that statement Ayub scoots his chair closer and pulls Simon into a tight hug. Simon falls into the embrace smiling through his tears. “Thanks guys. You mean so much to me. I don't know where I would be if I didn't have you guys in my life.”
“No” Ayub responds, “Where would we be without you, Simme. You were always the strongest amongst us… No, don't argue. It was always you. You dealt with so much shit in your life. And you always came out on top. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend. I love you so much, Simme.”
“Yeah,” Rosh adds, “We love you Simme.”
“I love you guys too.” Simon speaks into Ayub's shoulder where he’s still being held.
“We’ll get through this together. I promise.” Ayub adds.
He pulls back then, looking Simon in the eyes. “Do you need help talking to Linda? What about Sara? Have you told them what happened?”
“I did that already.”
“Oh good.” Rosh states “how did they take it?”
Simon’s nose had started running as the conversation continued. He rubs the back of his hand across his nose with a sniff. He knows he looks like a wreck but couldn't bring himself to care. “They took it as well as you’d expect. It’s ok, I promised I’d keep them posted about my day.”
“What are you going to do today? Oh god I wish I could be there but I just can’t leave right now. Especially with the national tryout coming up so soon.”
“It’s no problem Rosh and I wouldn’t want you to risk your chances for me.”
Thinking for a moment, Rosh replies. “But I’d do it, Simme. I’d do it for you. I can leave right now and be in Stockholm within two hours.”
“No you shouldn’t do that Rosh. You have so much on the line. You need to be there. I’ll be okay.”
Sniffing a little, she says, “Well then Ayub better not leave your side. I’ll be checking in. You can bet on it.”
The statement induces a small chuckle out of Simon. “I don’t doubt that.”
Turning her attention to Ayub, Rosh threatens “I’m warning you Ayub, if you even let him out of your sight, I’m coming for you.”
“Noted.” Ayub says, raising his hands into the air in surrender.
Remembering his family, Simon turns to his two friends and asks “Hey can I ask you guys a favor? Look after my Mamma and Sara when I'm gone. I know they'll probably say they don’t need it but I would appreciate it if you guys could check on them once in a while.”
“Of course Simme.” his friends say together in unison.
“Sara and Linda are like family.” Ayub adds, “I can’t even count how many times Linda has helped me out when I was in a bind.”
Someone screams for Rosh in the background. Sniffing and wiping at her tears she replies, “Ok I’m so sorry Simme but I really need to go.”
“Yeah go, your team needs you. You’re so amazing Rosh. You’re going to achieve everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”
“Oh Simme, I wish I could hug you right now. Thank you. You’re going to be the first person I thank when I become the world's greatest football player.”
“Thanks Rosh! I love you.”
“I love you too. And Ayub, don’t let him out of your sight. I want to know everything that happens today.”
With that, the call disconnects. Simon watches as Ayub gingerly takes his phone and puts it back in his pocket. He then closes the lid of his computer and starts putting his things away.
“What are you doing?” Simon asks.
“I’m doing what Rosh said. I’m coming with you.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes I am. I’m not leaving you alone on your death day Simon, are you crazy.”
“Please, I don’t want you there when it happens.”
“Don’t be ridiculous Simon. I can handle it. I’m not just going to let you walk out of here alone.”
“Well,” Simon says, looking a little sheepish. “I’m not alone.”
With a confused look, Ayub asks, “What do you mean ‘you’re not alone’?”
“I met someone earlier today.”
“What do you mean ‘you meet someone today’?”
“Well I promissed my Mamma that I’d get out of the house so I decided to give Last Friend a try.”
“Really, you made a Last Friend. Well, where are they then? Why didn’t they come with you? I want to meet them.”
“Well.” Simon says rubbing the back of his neck, “it’s not that simple. One of them is trying to keep their death day a secret. It’s complicated.”
It's not a complete lie. It might not have been the reason why Simon kept Erik and Wilhelm away but it is still a reasonable explanation to give to Ayub.
However, Ayub was persistent. “You’re not making any sense. The point of a death day is to tell people so that they can be there for you. Just like what I’m trying to do.”
Simon was now getting a little frustrated, arguing with Ayub. “Well he’s the Crown Prince of this country so that makes it a little hard.”
Simon didn’t mean for it to just spill out like that.
“Excuse me, what did you just say? Crown Prince. Like Crown Prince Erik.”
Sheepishly he responds, “Yes. Prince Wilhelm is with him too.”
“No way.” Ayub exclaims “That's insane. You’re not messing with me now are you?”
“No, I'm not. I'm being serious.”
“That’s absolutely nuts man.”
“Well, you see. I wouldn’t be alone.”
“Well how do you know they wouldn’t just leave you later in the day. I’m sure they have royal business to take care of even if Crown Prince Erik is dying.”
“They're not like that. Please can you just trust me on this.”
“Ok fine. But I still don’t see why I can’t just come with you. The princes won’t mind.”
“Please Ayub,” Simon begs. He doesn't know why he feels so strongly about it. He should be touched that his friends want to spend his last day with him. But somehow the idea just leaves him with a sense of anxiety and dread.
“I don’t think I can make it through the day with you there. I’m barely holding it together as it is. I just think it’s better for me if I’m not with anyone I care about. And don’t you have that project you needed to finish. It’s like half you grade this semester.”
“Screw the project. You’re more important.”
“Please Ayub. I’m begging you. I’ll literally never ask you for anything else. I promise I’ll keep you updated, send pictures, whatever you want. Just let me go.”
Reluctantly, Ayub concedes the fight with a sigh, “All right Simon, you win. If this is really what you want I’ll respect that.”
“It is.”
“Ok then. I'll stay away. But I can’t promise anything with Rosh. If she storms the castle after finding out I left you alone, I’m not responsible. You’re on your own.”
“Sure man, I’ll text Rosh after I leave here.” Simon responds, pulling Ayub into another bone crushing hug. “I have to go. I’ve left the prince waiting long enough. I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Simme. Take care ok.”
“I will. And you too.”
“You know it.”
Wiping the last remnants of tears from his face, Simon turns his back on his friend. Shuffling his way to the door, he promises himself that he wouldn’t look back. If he did, he might never leave. Pushing the door open, he lets himself stand there for a moment looking out into the hallway beyond and slowly takes in his surroundings. Chin up and shoulders high, Simon walks through the threshold and onwards.