A.N.: Just a little song-fic. A drabble? Whatever it is, I enjoyed writing it. It's about a friend of mine (IRL), and how much he helps me through things. My personal feelings are a bit... exaggerated in this (I love him, but I'm not in love with him, haha). Well, I'd just like to dedicate this to him, and I hope that we remain friends forever. He'll never read this... but, that won't stop me. :D Thanks, Patrick.

“Where Soul Meets Body”

R.M. Sanders 121407

“Here,” you hold out one of the white headphones for me to take. I look into your expectant navy eyes while a small smile tugs at my lips. This isn’t the first time that you have invited me to share the music you oh-so enjoy. But, still. Everytime that you hold the white wires between your long, spider leg-like fingers, my stomach jumps into my throat.

I want to live where soul meets body
And let the sun wrap its arms around me

“What is it this time?” The smile I had been wearing loosened up on one side, causing me to present you with a bit of a suggestive smirk. Our bodies are so close that we’re almost touching, and I feel my blood burn. You tell me that it’s a surprise as I lean in and allow you to place the earphone within the shell of my ear. My books are cutting off the circulation in my left arm, but I don’t mind. I am with you.

And bathe my skin in water cool and cleansing

And feel, feel what it’s like to be new

I recognize the song: “Where Soul Meets Body” by Death Cab for Cutie. I should have known. You smile as you see the dawning of recognition in my eyes and I chuckle. It’s your most-played song on your iPod. I know this because you told me. I remember every single one of our conversations. Whether they have importance to you or not, they have importance to me.

‘Cause in my head there’s a greyhound station
Where I send my thoughts to far off destinations

“I love this song,” you whisper to me. I can barely hear you because of Ben’s voice, but that’s not the point of anything. The word “love” sends shivers racing up my spine, and I hope that you don’t notice. In my mind, I replace “this song” with “you.” You’re talking to me. Whispering that you’re devoted to me, and only me. I’m the most-played song on your iPod.

So they may have a chance of finding a place
Where they’re far more suited than here

The bell that dismisses us for the day rings and the entire class files out of the art room. I’m doing horribly in that class, but I couldn’t give a shit. The reason my grade is near-failing is because you captivate me. While you’re working on your special 3-D projects, you don’t notice the not-very-subtle glances I give you.

I cannot guess what we'll discover
We turn the dirt with our palms cupped like shovels

I remove the white earphone from my ear (of course, where else would it be?), frowning. Our lockers are about a half-hallway down from each other, and in opposite directions. I’m not apart from you much, but everything is magnified when I’m away from you. Every disgusted glance someone throws me affects my self-esteem. Every voice in the hallway echoes in my brain and I can’t stand it. But those things don’t happen when you’re with me. When I’m near you, nothing can penetrate our shield.

But I know our filthy hands can wash one another’s
And not one speck will remain

“No, I’m going with you,” you tell me matter-of-factly, pushing the hand that’s holding the headphone back up to my ear. I’m a bit taken aback, so I just nod. You’ve never done this before. Part of me wishes that it could become a daily thing. I never want to be apart from you.

I do believe it’s true
That there are roads left in both of our shoes

We walk down the long, drawn-out hallway, attached by the wire that saves my life everyday. You walk behind me so we can wade through the sea of people and still be joined. I worriedly wonder how I look to you. Do you see me as some disgusting, fat slob? Do you like the little dip in my back? Do your eyes trail down and watch the swaying of my hips, the movement of my legs, the bottoms of my Converse?

But if the silence takes you
Then I hope it takes me too

But before I can think of anything more, we’re at my locker and I’m spinning the annoying lock that keeps it shut (but just barely). You’re standing beside me, and I can see your eyes on me. My gaze locks onto yours, and you smile. I feel the blush creep up my neck, and I smile back, hoping that I don’t look like a complete idiot. If I do, you don’t say anything. You just watch as I pack up my schoolbooks and art pads, pulling the cord out of my way as I slip on my jacket.

So brown eyes I hold you near
‘Cause you’re the only song I want to hear

“Onto your locker?” I ask you, hoisting my messenger bag up onto my shoulder. You nod your head and offer a small smile as we begin walking. The noise of my locker resonates through my body, but I don’t mind. I’m so close to you that my hand brushes against yours. But, still. I hope you don’t notice.

Where soul meets body

We reach your locker, still connected by your life-cord. The song is almost over, and I don’t want to be floating alone in space again. I beg and plead with whatever controls the world to let this song go on until the end of time. I’m awoken from my thoughts, though, by the click of metal as you shut your locker. You’re smiling again, and my heartbeat quickens. We’re then on our way outside, into the freezing cold weather that you don’t seem to mind. You wear shorts everyday, which is just another thing that makes you special to me.

Our buses are waiting for us, though, and I quickly pull the earphone from my ear. You mutter something about me having a good weekend, and that you’ll see me on Monday, but I don’t buy it. My weekend won’t be good because you won’t be with me. We’re “school friends” only. It’s an unwritten rule.

I watch as you disappear from my sight, a small smile that I can’t help pulling at my lips.

I still have Monday to look forward to.

A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere