1977- a short story

3

"I had a weird dream last night.", Lillian mused half to herself, half to her friend.

Instead of asking what the dream was about, Phoebe responded by bursting into song, dramatically gesticulating while belting out the lyrics 'I dreamed a dream' from the song in the broadway musical Les Miserables.

Lillian didn't hesitate to join in. The two of their fake opera voices resounded through the hallway and off the lockers next to them.

Soon their spontaneous theatrical production dissolved into laughter. "You're a genius.", Lillian flattered Phoebe.

"There's a song for everything.", Phoebe proclaimed with her pointer finger and forearm vertical and stiff in a self-important position.

"Well maybe not for everyone, but definitely you.", Lillian clarified.

The oldest of three sisters, Phoebe was a confident actress in the school musicals. Although she had never gotten lead, she had come close. Phoebe had the voice of an angel which put her at an instant advantage, but that voice was paired with a childlike personality. She knew and fully recognized her innocence but wasn't afraid to embrace it, something Lillian had always found admirable about her.

Lillian herself was a band kid, quite average on the clarinet and accompanied by a brief 3 years of piano experience. She knew her music career would never amount to much, but Phoebe had taught her a strong appreciation for music nonetheless.

"Did I ever mention to you we're doing a Sound of Music melody in band?", Lillian brought up.

"Oh ok well it sounds like I'm transferring to band cause that sounds absolutely wonderful.", was Phoebe's casual reaction.

"Yeah but they left out one of my favorite songs.", Lillian admitted.

"Which one? You love basically all of them."

"Hey, did-", a male voice sounded from behind Lillian and the sensation of someone's hand on her shoulder caused her to gasp quite audibly and flinch violently.

"Whoa. Calm down now I'm a nice guy."

Lillian turned. It was one of Alex's friends who she didn't really know well. "Sorry.", she laughed nervously.

"Alex just told me to tell you that the paper is due Friday, not tomorrow.", the guy said, towering over her.

"Oh. Ok. Thanks.", Lillian managed, the pauses between those three words long and awkward.

He made a quick wave with a mild smile and walked away while Lillian's vision blurred slightly. She exhaled a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

"Wow, you're shaking.", Phoebe commented gravely.

Lillian looked down at her hand which was trembling uncontrollably, just as rapid as her current heart rate.

"He must've really scared you. I think he's a nice guy, but I've only talked to him about twice..."

Lillian could no longer concentrate on Phoebe's rambling. She forced herself to breathe deeply and fully. What was she even worried about? She was at school, not home.