𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 ― j. bassett ✓

038: something about us doesn't seem right these days

𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠
chapter thirty-eight
━━━━༻❁༺━━━━

REAL LIFE

MERCY AND JOSHUA had been called into the bomb shelter room by Tim. As always, like it had been lately, there was a thick air of tension between them, one that neither of them really knew how to fix. Of course they could talk about it — after all, communication was key — but somehow, it always went back to them pretending everything was fine when everything was not fine. Mercy kept trying to hold on tight, but no matter how she gripped onto Joshua, she felt him slip farther and farther out of her grasp.

"Okay, you two," Tim began. "Today we're filming the scene where Athena gives Ricky her necklace after North High. This is a very pivotal scene for them — that necklace means a lot, and this is signifying the beginning of the end for them. Now, they won't be broken up forever. I told you two that they are endgame and I mean it, but this break up is a huge part of their relationship."

Mercy locked her hands behind her back and glanced at Joshua. He was looking right at Tim, an unreadable expression on her face. She really didn't like that she couldn't tell what he was feeling or thinking.

"I want to get the vibes right. Which is why I'm having you two really get into character by singing the most iconic breakup song of your generation."

Mercy blinked. "All Too Well?"

"No," Tim replied. He then paused for a second and thought about it. "Well, yes. But you're not singing that. You're singing Gotta Go My Own Way."

Well, shit. Not that song. Sure, maybe Mercy wasn't like Gabriella and completely leaving everything behind, but this hit a little too close to home right now. Mercy cared about Joshua so much, so much. He was the one who was on her mind at all moments of the day, made her heart race faster, and made her weak to the knees. But she had been the one to hurt him with that stupid line that made Isaiah come out of nowhere, and although it completely killed her to admit, he would be better off without her if being in a relationship meant that this whole continuous cycle of drama would continue to happen.

It was for him. Everything was for him.

"Gabriella gave Troy her necklace in the movie, just like Athena is giving Ricky her necklace now," Tim continued. "It's a direct parallel. Try to imagine the feelings in the scene, okay?"

Mercy nodded in agreement. Tim connected his phone to a speaker and put them on top of the piano before sitting on the bench. At once, the familiar instrumentals of the song started to play. Mercy cleared her throat, her stomach twisting uncomfortably. She reached up and ran one of the charms of Athena's necklace back and forth, her eyes narrowing in thought.

"I gotta say what's on my mind," Mercy sang, looking up at Joshua, who was already looking at her, an emotion she couldn't quite place in his eyes. "Something about us doesn't seem right these days."

That was completely true. They had been off for months, and it had only heightened recently after Isaiah posted another picture of them.

"Life keeps getting in the way. Whenever we try, somehow the plan is always rearranged. It's so hard to say, but I gotta do what's best for me. You'll be okay."

None of this was Joshua's fault. Absolutely nothing. However, Mercy couldn't help but start to think that letting him go, letting them go, would help clear the thoughts in her head. It was a sick thought, and it was absolutely twisted, and it was completely selfish, but constantly worrying if she would hurt him again or Isaiah would come out of nowhere was causing her to lose sleep at night.