Writing Prompts

Lullaby

Prompt: Put your iPod (or other choice of random music) on shuffle. Write ≈250 words inspired by the first and last lines of the very next song that plays.

[I got Lullaby by Nickelback.]
Oh, I know the feeling of finding yourself stuck out on the ledge / Your very own lullaby...

He sat on the windowsill, watching the world go by around him. Cars, people, everything.

His legs dangled precariously over the edge. He resisted the urge to lean forward and let it all go.

Instead, he pulled out his phone. T-I-F- and her name popped up on the painfully brightened screen. He hesitated all of two seconds before calling her.

She picked up almost immediately, her voice noticeably drowsy. He'd probably just woken her. "Hello?"

"Tiffany?" A sob broke through. "It's me."

He could her her moving around with the phone. Probably sitting up. "Matthew? It's-" More moving. "-2:48 in the morning. Are you alright?"

"Not really... I'm just-" He broke off, holding the phone away from himself as he cried shamelessly. "I'm not doing so good. Everything is terrible. And I can't fall asleep..."

"I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do?"

He sniffled and dried his eyes. "Umm...yeah. Can you...can you...sing to me? The Promise? Please?"

She sighed. "Of course." He could hear the smile in her voice. "But my sister is in the next room. I'll have to be kinda quiet, okay?"

"Okay," he agreed.

She cleared her throat and began in a voice slightly louder than a whisper, "Today, you don't want to get out of bed. There are so many thoughts in your head. Like you'd be better off dead... But let me tell you, there's a whole world waiting for you. It's hard to believe but it's true, woah oh. So just hold on for me, hold on for me." Her voice slowed and became more soulful. "'Cause I believe if you go, my heart would break. Just hold on one more day... Because you are so beautiful, woah oh. I promise you this, I promise you this. And you are more than capable, woah oh. Just believe in yourself when nobody else is listening..."

He smiled as her voice rang in his head. "Thank you..."

"Any time. Need anything else?"

"No, thanks. Go back to bed. Sorry to wake you."

"It's no problem. Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything else."

He smiled and swung his feet back into the room. Not tonight. "I will. Same goes for you. Good night."

"Good night." They hung up.

He closed his window defiantly and laid down in his bed. He closed his eyes. One more day.