A Soul for Song

Claire didn't know how she lived without Erica.  The cheer, the spark of life, the musical harmony that Erica brought into her life, her heart, her soul... everything about Erica, Claire cherished.

Especially her song.

There had been a time when Claire hadn't known that side of Erica.  She was a friend of a friend, they rarely were in the same group together and never spoke directly to one another.  All Claire had known was that Erica was a straw-haired young woman, reserved and quiet when around unfamiliar faces but talkative and open toward her close circle of friends.

Claire had thought her pretty, though, but suspected Erica would have been uncomfortable with her suddenly reaching out to her.  They seemed complete opposites—Erica was timid, and Claire was flamboyant and energetic.

At least, it was what Claire had thought of Erica...

The lunch hall of Knight High School was filled with both the students of the school and their voices attempting to speak over each other.  Most were seated and conversing with nearby friends, while others shouted to each other across the lunch hall.  Food stayed mostly on the table, save for the usual suspects in one corner... the corner that was also the least occupied.

While her friends talked to each other, Claire chewed on her tuna sandwich, her mind caught between the flavour of her lunch and a tune by R.E.M.—The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight, she believed it was called.

Her head perked up as she heard mention of her name beside her.  "Claire..." said her friend Tia beside her.  "Claire, you awake?"

Swallowing what was in her mouth, Claire replied, "Yeah, I'm up."

"So, any idea who's going with you to prom?"  Tia spoke with a soft Mexican accent—it made her sound sly, oddly clever.  It was funny she was talking about prom, for in her silk dresses and her long black hair done up, she seemed like she was ready for a ball at all times.

"I haven't decided yet," admitted Claire.  "I haven't really found that someone yet."

"Oh, it doesn't need to be someone special!"  Tia clapped her hand on her shoulder, grinning.  "Take me.  You can kiss me if you want, Claire."

With a bit of a blush, Claire said, "Thanks for the offer, Tia, but you're not... you know..."

"Come on, Claire.  You've already told me you like hearing me talk.  We can go as friends."

Claire shook her head, smiling.  Tia sighed, then said, "I can't even get my gay best friend to take me out, huh?"

"You'll find someone to go with, Tia.  I'm sure of it."

Tia gave a little giggle, then rose.  "Well, want to get to Math early?"

"Sure, just let me finish up here."

Pulling her legs free of the table, Tia started off.  Claire's other friends kept talking, mostly about the senior prom that was two months away.  They didn't mind her being gay, but she figured that it seemed a little odd to them when she spoke about girls the way they did for guys.  With a shrug, Claire stuffed the last of her tuna sandwich into her mouth and put the rest of her lunch away for later.

When she stood and turned from the table, Erica was standing there.  A small smile was upon her face, and Claire couldn't help but to stare.

Once she could talk, she said, "Hey, Erica..."

"Hi, Claire," Erica replied, her smile growing a touch wider.  "I just wanted to talk."

"About what?"