It Seems I'm Too Far Gone
All About a Girl
Adrienne was about to turn in for the night once she’d put on her pajama shorts- red plaid- and a dark blue spaghetti strap shirt. She laid down in her bed with only her bedside lamp on and read the last pages of her book Catcher in the Rye.
Adie couldn’t help but laugh as she snapped it shut for the last time.
“Truly the worst book ever,” she shook her head and threw the book down the floor by her bed. “I mean, really, how disappointing,” she added, not really caring that she was talking to herself.
It was only when she heard a familiar tapping on her window that she was distracted from her obvious disappointment. She stood up on her bed, looking back to make sure her door was shut and locked, and opened her window.
“Hey Romeo,” she said smugly, noting their method of communication.
“Hey, you still up for a show?”
She furrowed her brow. “A what?”
“A show. My band- remember?”
“Oh! You mean the Gilman? Right now?” she asked, shocked by the sudden prospect. He nodded quickly, obviously impatient.
“Uh…” she bit her lip and looked back at a still closed bedroom door. Sure, her parents were asleep, but it was really late. And dark… with Billie Joe.
“Do I have time to change?” she asked, mind made up.
“No,” he said simply. She frowned.
“Billie Joe,” she started.
“Look, I’ve got a jacket to lend you if you’re cold. Otherwise, the show starts in 15 and you’ll fit right in- promise,” he said, a little on edge.
"I... ok, just lemme get my shoes. Do I have time for that?" she asked, smartly. He rolled his eyes.
"If you hurry!"
Adie pulled on her blue chucks again, this time adorning socks, and stopped to look at herself in the mirror before she went back the window. It was enough to make her laugh. "Ah well..." she thought.
When she got back up to the window and looked down, she began to wonder how she was going to get out of her two-story window.
"Can you reach that tree branch?" Billie whisper yelled.
"Well, I'm sure I can. The question is if I want to or not..." she bit her lip, nervously, at the thought of dangling on a tree branch over her lawn.
"Just try. I'll be here to catch you if you fall," he said, simply trying to rush her, but all the while, meaning what he said.
"O, that's reassuring," she smirked, commenting on both his size compared to her, and the fact that he had said "if you fall..."
Nevertheless, something in her really wanted to do this. Something told her this night would be glorious, if not simply a bit risky in a few situations. She opened her window as high as it could go and maneuvered her legs out in front of her. They dangled over her sill and she made a note not to let them hit the siding, as that might wake up her parents. She looked up and grabbed the branch that went out over her window with one hand and, once she had a grip, added her other. The hurried action was partly because she was so nervous and partly because of the painful, uneven sill on her bottom.
Aware of the fact that Billie Joe's eyes never left her, she monkeyed her way, hand over hand, closer to the trunk of the tree, where she would have a place to put her feet. Finally, she made her way there and was able to get to the center of the tree and simply climb down. When her feet touched the grass, she realized she was a bit shaken up.
"You ok?" Billie asked, his hand on her arm.
"Ye-Yeah," she said, just surprised at herself at what she'd just accomplished. She looked up at her window and imagined getting back up there. She put the thought out of her head.
"Here," he said, handing her back his sweatshirt.
"Oh... thanks," she took it, but only slung it over her arm. Truth was, the feat she just completed left her sweaty and clammy. She hadn't even noticed the cool night air.
They walked, or rather skipped, as Billie Joe was increasingly hard to catch up with, to the Gilman together, in partial silence. Adie simply smiled at his excitement. This must be something he really loved, or else he'd notice the amount of jay-walking he'd done.
Once there, he took her to a group of his friends and quickly introduced them. They all seemed friendly enough, which was good, because in two seconds, Billie Joe was nowhere to be found, escaping to backstage, as he and his band were due to go on.
"So, you're from New Jersey?" one guy with 6 inch spikes of blue hair sticking out of his skull in various directions asked her. "Why move out here?"
"Well..." she bit her lip. Did she really want everyone to know that her dad was named CEO of a firm some old guy owned and passed to him when he died? Oh, who cares. "My dad just inherited a new law firm. We had to make the move because of business," and she nodded, as the guy seemed a bit less interested in her. She wondered how long it would take before the whole place new that Adie Raleigh was a stuck up rich kid. She rolled her eyes when he turned his back to her and went back to his other friends. Even so, she was a bit lonely, as the music hadn't started just yet, so there was no pit or excitement in front of the stage. She leaned against the rail and waited for Billie Joe to take stage.
"Hey Baily!" Adrienne was instantly distracted. Upon hearing the name, she turned, and sure enough, there was the "Billie-sized" girlfriend he'd been with the night before. He'd mentioned who she was on their walk to Adie's house. Billie Joe was awkward when answering the question, and even went so far as to say, "Well... we're not really dating..." all the while rubbing the back of his neck.
Adie turned back around, not really into staring at people, and remained unmoved. The fact that she kissed a guy with a girlfriend didn't really phase her. She liked Billie Joe, and he liked her, undoubtedly, but she was 16- about to be a junior in high school- and relationships right now where hit and miss- she got that. If Billie Joe wanted to date Baily, fine. If he wanted to date her- fine. If he was as confused about matters of the heart as Adie was, well that was fine too. Besides, Adrienne wasn't in any rush to be a home wrecker, especially when she'd only been here for a few months. Truth be told, knowing something that Baily didn't almost gave Adie a sense of power over her, which was a good feeling, as being the newbie on a scene, and almost instantly unliked, was a good way to wreck one's confidence.
Finally, Billie Joe and two other guys, equally excited and sweaty, walked on stage and the crowd lost their minds. The group behind Adie screamed and hollered. Adie just smiled, thinking of what kind of euphoria Billie must be worked into right now.
Soon, Billie introduced himself and the band.
"We're called Green Day."
Adie's mouth fell open, and she could have sworn that Billie Joe snickered a bit after he said it. Like he knew what she must look like right now.
"I can't believe it..." she said to herself, as everyone around her was beginning to become enthralled. The excitement that she had held when she thought of hearing Billie Joe's band was now doubled when he turned out to be a member of Green Day. Adie knew what to expect- greatness.
"This song's called "Going to Pasalacqua," and he immediately drove into notes and chords, belting out tones of all ranges. Adie smiled and sang along, knowing this song off of the old cassette she owned. The prospect of being intertwined in all the action was far too inviting to Adie, who had up to this point resigned to stay in the back and listen; more importantly- to avoid the group of people Billie Joe had dumped her with. She ended up in the middle, loving the chaotic mess and the continuous act of being tossed around.
The band played through two more songs, both of which sounded great, but new to Adie's ears. Then Billie announced his last song of the night, which told Adrienne to pull out of the mix. She figured she could be around back when he got off stage, scream at him for not telling her what band he was in, telling him how amazing the show was and how much he rocked, and then tell him goodnight, as she had school in the morning- or, rather, in a couple of hours.
"For our last song I have a new one. A little rough. Just put it together today. It's called "2,000 Light Years Away," he said, turning to the bassist, and glancing back at the drums. Some things were shouted, and Billie Joe turned back to the mic one last time before slamming into his first chord.
"It's about a girl."
Adrienne, who'd made her way to the back of the club where she could breathe properly, turned at this statement, wondering faintly who this girl was. A pit in her stomach she hadn't known existed turned tentatively. She told herself she was just hungry.
Quick thinking told Adie to look for Billie Joe's girlfriend, Baily. Sure enough, she too had stopped her jumping in the pit and was grinning, hoping to hear a dedication. Adie knew she shouldn't be too obvious, so she kept her smiles to a minimum, even as the song started. Still, she stood there, where she started her night, and let the lyrics wash over her.
I sit alone in my bedroom
Staring at the walls
I've been up all damn night long
My pulse is speeding
My love is yearning
I hold my breath and close my eyes
And dream about her
Cause she's 2000 light years away
She holds my malakite so tight so..
Never let go
Cause she's 2000 Light years away
I sit outside and watch the sunrise
Look out as far as I can
I can't see her, but in the distance
I hear some laughter
We laugh together
Then I hold my breath and close my eyes
And dream about her
Cause she's 2000 light years away.
2,000 light years away... that's exactly how she felt.
Adie couldn’t help but laugh as she snapped it shut for the last time.
“Truly the worst book ever,” she shook her head and threw the book down the floor by her bed. “I mean, really, how disappointing,” she added, not really caring that she was talking to herself.
It was only when she heard a familiar tapping on her window that she was distracted from her obvious disappointment. She stood up on her bed, looking back to make sure her door was shut and locked, and opened her window.
“Hey Romeo,” she said smugly, noting their method of communication.
“Hey, you still up for a show?”
She furrowed her brow. “A what?”
“A show. My band- remember?”
“Oh! You mean the Gilman? Right now?” she asked, shocked by the sudden prospect. He nodded quickly, obviously impatient.
“Uh…” she bit her lip and looked back at a still closed bedroom door. Sure, her parents were asleep, but it was really late. And dark… with Billie Joe.
“Do I have time to change?” she asked, mind made up.
“No,” he said simply. She frowned.
“Billie Joe,” she started.
“Look, I’ve got a jacket to lend you if you’re cold. Otherwise, the show starts in 15 and you’ll fit right in- promise,” he said, a little on edge.
"I... ok, just lemme get my shoes. Do I have time for that?" she asked, smartly. He rolled his eyes.
"If you hurry!"
Adie pulled on her blue chucks again, this time adorning socks, and stopped to look at herself in the mirror before she went back the window. It was enough to make her laugh. "Ah well..." she thought.
When she got back up to the window and looked down, she began to wonder how she was going to get out of her two-story window.
"Can you reach that tree branch?" Billie whisper yelled.
"Well, I'm sure I can. The question is if I want to or not..." she bit her lip, nervously, at the thought of dangling on a tree branch over her lawn.
"Just try. I'll be here to catch you if you fall," he said, simply trying to rush her, but all the while, meaning what he said.
"O, that's reassuring," she smirked, commenting on both his size compared to her, and the fact that he had said "if you fall..."
Nevertheless, something in her really wanted to do this. Something told her this night would be glorious, if not simply a bit risky in a few situations. She opened her window as high as it could go and maneuvered her legs out in front of her. They dangled over her sill and she made a note not to let them hit the siding, as that might wake up her parents. She looked up and grabbed the branch that went out over her window with one hand and, once she had a grip, added her other. The hurried action was partly because she was so nervous and partly because of the painful, uneven sill on her bottom.
Aware of the fact that Billie Joe's eyes never left her, she monkeyed her way, hand over hand, closer to the trunk of the tree, where she would have a place to put her feet. Finally, she made her way there and was able to get to the center of the tree and simply climb down. When her feet touched the grass, she realized she was a bit shaken up.
"You ok?" Billie asked, his hand on her arm.
"Ye-Yeah," she said, just surprised at herself at what she'd just accomplished. She looked up at her window and imagined getting back up there. She put the thought out of her head.
"Here," he said, handing her back his sweatshirt.
"Oh... thanks," she took it, but only slung it over her arm. Truth was, the feat she just completed left her sweaty and clammy. She hadn't even noticed the cool night air.
They walked, or rather skipped, as Billie Joe was increasingly hard to catch up with, to the Gilman together, in partial silence. Adie simply smiled at his excitement. This must be something he really loved, or else he'd notice the amount of jay-walking he'd done.
Once there, he took her to a group of his friends and quickly introduced them. They all seemed friendly enough, which was good, because in two seconds, Billie Joe was nowhere to be found, escaping to backstage, as he and his band were due to go on.
"So, you're from New Jersey?" one guy with 6 inch spikes of blue hair sticking out of his skull in various directions asked her. "Why move out here?"
"Well..." she bit her lip. Did she really want everyone to know that her dad was named CEO of a firm some old guy owned and passed to him when he died? Oh, who cares. "My dad just inherited a new law firm. We had to make the move because of business," and she nodded, as the guy seemed a bit less interested in her. She wondered how long it would take before the whole place new that Adie Raleigh was a stuck up rich kid. She rolled her eyes when he turned his back to her and went back to his other friends. Even so, she was a bit lonely, as the music hadn't started just yet, so there was no pit or excitement in front of the stage. She leaned against the rail and waited for Billie Joe to take stage.
"Hey Baily!" Adrienne was instantly distracted. Upon hearing the name, she turned, and sure enough, there was the "Billie-sized" girlfriend he'd been with the night before. He'd mentioned who she was on their walk to Adie's house. Billie Joe was awkward when answering the question, and even went so far as to say, "Well... we're not really dating..." all the while rubbing the back of his neck.
Adie turned back around, not really into staring at people, and remained unmoved. The fact that she kissed a guy with a girlfriend didn't really phase her. She liked Billie Joe, and he liked her, undoubtedly, but she was 16- about to be a junior in high school- and relationships right now where hit and miss- she got that. If Billie Joe wanted to date Baily, fine. If he wanted to date her- fine. If he was as confused about matters of the heart as Adie was, well that was fine too. Besides, Adrienne wasn't in any rush to be a home wrecker, especially when she'd only been here for a few months. Truth be told, knowing something that Baily didn't almost gave Adie a sense of power over her, which was a good feeling, as being the newbie on a scene, and almost instantly unliked, was a good way to wreck one's confidence.
Finally, Billie Joe and two other guys, equally excited and sweaty, walked on stage and the crowd lost their minds. The group behind Adie screamed and hollered. Adie just smiled, thinking of what kind of euphoria Billie must be worked into right now.
Soon, Billie introduced himself and the band.
"We're called Green Day."
Adie's mouth fell open, and she could have sworn that Billie Joe snickered a bit after he said it. Like he knew what she must look like right now.
"I can't believe it..." she said to herself, as everyone around her was beginning to become enthralled. The excitement that she had held when she thought of hearing Billie Joe's band was now doubled when he turned out to be a member of Green Day. Adie knew what to expect- greatness.
"This song's called "Going to Pasalacqua," and he immediately drove into notes and chords, belting out tones of all ranges. Adie smiled and sang along, knowing this song off of the old cassette she owned. The prospect of being intertwined in all the action was far too inviting to Adie, who had up to this point resigned to stay in the back and listen; more importantly- to avoid the group of people Billie Joe had dumped her with. She ended up in the middle, loving the chaotic mess and the continuous act of being tossed around.
The band played through two more songs, both of which sounded great, but new to Adie's ears. Then Billie announced his last song of the night, which told Adrienne to pull out of the mix. She figured she could be around back when he got off stage, scream at him for not telling her what band he was in, telling him how amazing the show was and how much he rocked, and then tell him goodnight, as she had school in the morning- or, rather, in a couple of hours.
"For our last song I have a new one. A little rough. Just put it together today. It's called "2,000 Light Years Away," he said, turning to the bassist, and glancing back at the drums. Some things were shouted, and Billie Joe turned back to the mic one last time before slamming into his first chord.
"It's about a girl."
Adrienne, who'd made her way to the back of the club where she could breathe properly, turned at this statement, wondering faintly who this girl was. A pit in her stomach she hadn't known existed turned tentatively. She told herself she was just hungry.
Quick thinking told Adie to look for Billie Joe's girlfriend, Baily. Sure enough, she too had stopped her jumping in the pit and was grinning, hoping to hear a dedication. Adie knew she shouldn't be too obvious, so she kept her smiles to a minimum, even as the song started. Still, she stood there, where she started her night, and let the lyrics wash over her.
I sit alone in my bedroom
Staring at the walls
I've been up all damn night long
My pulse is speeding
My love is yearning
I hold my breath and close my eyes
And dream about her
Cause she's 2000 light years away
She holds my malakite so tight so..
Never let go
Cause she's 2000 Light years away
I sit outside and watch the sunrise
Look out as far as I can
I can't see her, but in the distance
I hear some laughter
We laugh together
Then I hold my breath and close my eyes
And dream about her
Cause she's 2000 light years away.
2,000 light years away... that's exactly how she felt.