Breaking All the Rules

It was Saturday. I think. I laid in my bed, staring at the ceiling. Staring at nothing. As I had all day. I guess my family thought I was still asleep. Or maybe dead. Whatever the case, they didn't come in. Thank goodness.

I stayed like that. Feeling nothing. I felt as if I had never felt anything. Like I had no concept of emotions.

I heard a knock at my window. I didn't do anything.

I heard another knock, then a muffled, "Chess! Open your window!"

All of a sudden, I was sitting on my bed, staring into space, facing Max who stood outside my window. I didn't remember moving, or even giving the okay for my body to move.

So I just sat there, not even giving Max a blink of my eye.

"Chess?"

Nothing.

"Please! Come back to me!"

And then, deep inside of me, very deep, I felt something. A stir of an animal after a long hibernation. The beat of a broken heart that had a voice. That could love again. Or at least, was on the road to revovery. It was a heart that had hope.

I realized, with quite a shock, that Max was standing there, his hands twitching with nervousness, his face wearing an awkward expression, and from his lips- no, from his heart, he sang.

I look up in your face
I see the tears you cry
Yet I can’t seem to find
Just the perfect lullaby
You are so unique
So different and so special
I know you may not think you’re beautiful
But let me tell you, you’re wrong
Ever since I first got to know you
You opened up my eyes
The way you turn every face in the hall
Then turn around and act all shy

I want to wipe
away your tears
Help you fight all your fears
Lift you up out of your rut
And no I won’t let you shut the door again
You are perfect, you are amazing
I don’t care what they say
Your presence is blazing

You play piano like a beast
Your eyes are so dark and sweet
I want to drink them up
Just please fill up the cup I give you
The lilting melodies
Your presence creates
All you have to do is stand there
And other people’s lives shape
You love my sister dearly
You have never left her
Even when others might have
Not been completely sure

I want to wipe away your tears
Help you fight all your fears
Lift you up out of your rut
And no I won’t let you shut the door again
You perfect, you are amazing
I don’t care what they say
Your presence is blazing

You said you were nothing
You put everyone else first
I really didn’t intend it
But I fell into your web
The whispers of thoughts you weaved
Filled with oh so much emotion
And now I realize, I needed you right from the beginning

I want to wipe away your tears
Help you fight all your fears
Lift you up out of your rut
And no I won’t let you shut the door again
You perfect, you are amazing
I don’t care what they say
Your presence is blazing