"Paul! Oh my gosh Paul, are you okay?!"

You run up to your best friend, Paul McCartney, in the hallway. The two of you are seventeen and almost done with your last year of schooling. It is February 3rd, 1959...and the entire school is buzzing with the news of the accident.

"Paul!" Your best friend is walking with his head down, avoiding all eye contact. His back is facing you, but you know that he is crying. Buddy Holly was one of his biggest musical influences. He'd always wanted to be in a band and sing around the country, just like Buddy did in America. He'd had dreams of meeting his idol, but now...it's too late.

You finally catch up to him and place your hand on Paul's shoulder. He freezes for a moment, before turning to look at you. His eyes are red and puffy and he's entirely pale. He looks like a wreck.

"Oh, Paul," you embrace him. He doesn't say anything, just cries into your shoulder. He was a complete mess about it, as were many other people that you've seen around school today. You try not to cry as you hug and attempt to comfort him.

"J-Jessica," he hiccups. You shush him as he pulls away from your shoulder and looks at you with puffy eyes. "Why?! Why did it have to happen to him, of all people?!"

"I don't know," you whisper.

Buddy was only twenty two, barely five years older than Paul and yourself. One of the other passengers, Ritchie Valens, was exactly your age, seventeen. He was a student like you and just starting out in life. The entire thing is chilling.

"I wanna go home," Paul whispers, bringing you back to reality. He's stopped crying, but looks like he's about to start again at any second.

"I know," you murmur. "But you have to stay strong, okay? He was your idol, I know. Paul, you have to show the world the things that Buddy has taught you. He's gone, but you...you can live up to his talent. I know you can."

"Jessica, I c-can't. I-I-"

"Don't say that. Are you going to give up on music and living your dream because he's gone? No. Paul, you have to show the world the influence that Buddy Holly and so many other artists have put on you."

Slowly, Paul nods. He looks you in the eye.

"Show the world..." he mumbles.

"Yes! Paul, you have to show them. For me, as well as Buddy Holly. Okay? Can you do that?"

Paul is silent for several minutes. Then, the traces of a tiny smile begin to tug at his lips and he looks at you again.

"I can."

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