What I Would Give

Enter the Changed Man

Meeting Grey seemed to flood my mind, he seemed so familiar. The hazy recognition left me feeling sad, even though I had just met him that day. There was something about him. His icy blue eyes and dark brown pulled against my mind. I noticed a scar that ran through his eyebrow, just missing his eye. Why does his memory hurt just thinking about it?

Before I knew it the last bell rang, and I was in my way to the bus. "Natalie!" a familiar voice came up from behind me. I turned around to see Taylor slowly jogging towards me, she wheezed with every step. Once she caught up to me she spoke in broken sentences, "I heard *wheeze* that you... Hang on."
Taylor stood hunched over, attempting to catch her breathe, just holding her index finger signaling me to wait.
"How far did you run?" I asked, concerned.
"Around the entire school like three times. Before you ask it's because when everyone was crowded around our English teachers desk, and when I saw my grade, I shouted somethings that are deserving of a referral. But, since I had a B in the class, I didn't want to go home with I referral, so I ran out of the class saying," I'm sorry! I'll make it up to you!" I ended up running towards the Commons, but then there was a dog chasing me down the hallway... Where did he come from anyway, was it a he?... Anyway long story short I'm in trouble tomorrow not today. Oh wait! I heard you almost socked Grey Knight in the face. Everyone is talking about especially Lexi the stinking snob Schwab. I swear she has some weird cult that is dedicated to worshipping Grey."
"Taylor I was there for English... Wait, what happened to the dog?" I said trying to mislead her.
"I don't know, I think I lost it in Ms. Davis's classroom. Don't worry she wasn't in there, but I'll have some explaining to do in English tomorrow, don't change the subject," she interjected. I was caught, so I explained everything that happened that day, down to the sad feeling in my chest remembering his features.
"Really?! Fudge sauce on a fudge stick, the buses," she's squealed.
"Fudge," I grumbled. Sure enough the buses were leaving one after the other right in front of me. I turned to Taylor with a disheartened look on my face. I immediately texted Josh what had happened, and he replied he had a late shift and wouldn't get off until 7pm. Which meant I was stuck at school until 7. Great.
Taylor pouted with her bottom lip out and her sad eyes glistened. She recovered five seconds later with a grin larger than the Cheshire Cat. "You can come listen to my solo, and maybe you can crack out those fancy cello skills you've been working on in therapy. You know the ones you been practicing for 9 years 'to help you cope'."
I sighed, but I finally conceded to play for her solo. We made our way to the music library, where I found my cello and a small envelope containing the music scores. We moved our way to the practice room, and opened the window to let the hot air out. I quickly got tuned and soon found myself drowning in the sound of the cello. The deep strings rang, complimenting Taylor's soprano voice.

When the days are cold
And the cards all fold
And the saints we see
Are all made of gold
When your dreams all fail
And the ones we hail
Are the worst of all
And the blood's run stale
I wanna hide the truth
I wanna shelter you
But with the beast inside
There's nowhere we can hide
No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
At the curtain's call
It's the last of all
When the lights fade out
All the sinners crawl
So they dug your grave
And the masquerade
Will come calling out
At the mess you made

Don't wanna let you down
But I am hell bound
Though this is all for you
Don't wanna hide the truth

No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come