June Song Vignette: Psyche & Wander

[Dr Archeville]

Even in summertime, the Claremont Academy kept its students pretty busy, so it was the rare afternoon when Erin and Alex ended up in their dorm room together before bedtime. This was one of those days, though, when someone’s mucked-up powers training meant the gym and the library were both closed for a few hours for repairs. As Alex came into the room with her ever-present bag of books, she found Erin cross-legged on the floor near the bed, idly winding up her music box and watching the plastic Disney Princess spin in place to the tinkling music. Erin nodded to her in greeting, but seemed lost in thought.

 

Alex set down her bag and opened her mouth to say something, when suddenly a weird urge seemed to possess her. Instead of the greeting she’d intended, instead a song began pouring from her mouth.

(To the tune of Love Story, by Taylor Swift)

 

“We were both young when I first saw you

Crackers and alphabet blocks

I'm standing there

In a circle of platic chairs

 

See the light

See the party, the people

I see you make your way from the crowd

Please don't go, don't you know

 

That you're my Romeo, you were throwing pebbles

But you can't see I'm your Juliette

And I was crying on your jacket

Begging you please don't go, and I said

 

Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone

I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run

You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess

It's a love story, baby, just say yes

 

So I help with homework, just to see you

I keep quiet 'cause I'd die if you knew

I close my eyes

And I dream for a little whileâ€Â

 

Erin stared at Alex while she was singing, startled for a minute at the outburst of song. Somehow this sounded a little more personal than just a song from the radio. Then the music from her music box seemed to get louder, more insistent, and in a moment she was singing along with the dreamy, romantic tune. She never sang in public, and she wasn’t a great singer, but that wasn’t stopping her right now.

(To the tune of So This is Love, from Disney’s Cinderella)

 

“And here I am

So far away

Inside a world that never can be mine

Sometimes I feel

It isn't real

But everyone around me thinks it's fine

Easy for them,

They'll never know

Sometimes I hate them so

Don't understand that life is just a sham

And here I am…â€Â

 

As Erin started singing, the adagio of her song threaded through the upbeat allegro of Alex’s, creating a weird sort of duet. Their eyes met as both of them realized the complete oddity of the situation, but neither could stop. Something more powerful than either of them was directing this concert. Alex leaned against the edge of the desk and just kept singing.

 

“You're my Romeo; I'm just your best friend

You still can't see I'm your Juliette

But you are everything to me

I was begging you please don't go and I said

 

Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone

I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run

You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess

It's a love story, baby, just say yes

 

Romeo, save me, I can't help how I feel

Its so painful, I know its real

Without you, I can't make it out of this mess

Its a love story, baby, just say yes

Oh, oh

 

I get tired of waiting,

Wondering if you are ever coming 'round

My faith in you is fading

I've got to find the courage to stand and say,

 

Romeo, save me, I've been feeling so alone

I keep waiting for you but you never know

Is this in my head? I don't know what to do

I don't think I'm more than a friend to you

 

Don't worry, I'll be with you

You'll never have to be alone

I love you and that's all I really know

I'll always give your friendship my best

Its a love story, baby, just say yesâ€Â

 

Erin slammed the music box shut when it reached the end of another repetition of its song, as though that might stop the urge to sing along. Instead, it just meant she was singing a capella for the next verse.

 

“I wish I knew

What’s coming next

And if I’ll ever find myself a home

Will someone care

If I’m not there

Or is this just a struggle on my own?

No one to ask,

No way to know

Sometimes I hate them so

Don’t think I can get with their program

And here I am…â€Â

 

Abruptly, the impulse to sing trailed off, as though someone had shut a faucet. The room went completely quiet, leaving the two girls staring at each other.