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Day 12

"I think singing comes most naturally for me. Because it's part of your body - it's a natural thing. You can practice all you want but it's part of your body. Singing exercises your heart, lungs, and releases endorphins, making you feel good. Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything."

Day 12 - Singing

Ever since Maggie came into my life, I'm being torn apart. Not the 'torn apar't like where parts of your body and blood are all over the floor like in a horror movie, but I'm being mentally and physically torn apart inside.

I fear death, but I also accept it. I'm unsure of what it will bring. But death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside of us while we live. I want to avoid death and die at the same time, which is a weird feeling to say the least.

I sigh deeply and sit Leo on the night table beside me and shift my gaze to out the window. The view isn't very nice, it's actually kind of depressing. The sky altering tones of grey and rain dropping outside my window.

I check my watch to prevent myself from thinking about going to the building where I was twelve days ago. Maggie still owes me three reasons. It's 5:25, and I wonder where she is. Has she forgotten about our deal?

Just when I am ready to get out of my bed and go downstairs, Maggie swings the door open.

"Hey, Alex." Maggie says, entering with a smile, and a guitar case in her hand as well.

"Hey, I almost thought you forgot about our deal."

"I'm not a person who forgets things." Maggie chuckles, putting her guitar case against my bed. "I was just busy with something."

"What's up with the guitar?" I ask, looking quizzically at it.

 Maggie smiles faintly, staring at me. "I just came back from my music class. I got a new assignment from my teacher. I have to sing a song that means a lot to me."

"And do you already have a song in mind?" I sigh, putting a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Yes, I do. It's not really a song that means a lot to me, but I want the song to have a meaning for someone else."

I give Maggie a smirk, coming closer to her. "And which song might that be?"

"So you want me to sing?" Maggie asks with a raised eyebrow. "You know I can't do that."

I beg her with puppy eyes. "Please, Maggie?"

Maggie hesitates, biting her lip as she weighs up the scenarios of playing or not playing.

"Fine, just for you."

Maggie unbuckles and opens her case, picking a black acoustic guitar out and settling it on her lap, running her fingers over the strings and looking at me.

"I should warn you beforehand. My singing is terrible, so prepare to be deafened." Maggie, smiling softly.

She strums a few chords, before closing her eyes and beginning to sing.

"Breathe deep, breathe clear. Know that I am here, know that I am here; waiting."

Stay strong, stay gold. You don't have to fear, you don't have to fear; waiting.

I'll see you soon, I'll see you soon...

How could a heart like yours, ever love a heart like mine? How could I live before? How could I have been so blind?

You opened up my eyes. You opened up my eyes."

I close my eyes too and appreciate the song for what it is. I can't help but notice that Maggie may have chosen this song for me. She's trying to tell me that I have to stay strong and that she's always here for me.

I sigh heavily and look back at Maggie, who's finished playing now and has returned the guitar to its case.

"That song, it's... something. And so are you. It was beautiful." I say to Maggie, almost tearing up. "Thank you so much."

"Thank you for the compliment, Alex. And you're welcome." Maggie smiles back, "I hope the person found a meaning in this song."

"The person sure did."

Maggie bites her lower lip, staring outside the window. "And do you have a special song?"

I chuckle lightly, crossing my arms. "I do, actually."

"What song might that be?"

"When I would go to bed, my father would always sing a certain song, called 'When the Red, Red Robin'. Do you know the song?"

"Yes, I do. I learned to play it when I was a little younger." Maggie replies, smiling softly. "Care to sing it for me?"

I give Maggie a smirk. "Only if you play the guitar."

"Fine. Just wait for two seconds. I have to remember the chords."

Maggie opens het guitar case again, and strums a few chords. "Okay, I'm ready."

"When the red, red robin
Comes bob, bob, bobbin'
Along, along
There'll be no more sobbin'
When he starts throbbin'
His old sweet song
Wake up, wake up you sleepyhead
Get up, get up, get out of your bed
Cheer up, cheer up the sun is red
Live, love, laugh, and be happy

What if I were blue
Now I'm walking through
Fields of flowers
Rain may glisten
But still I listen
For hours and hours
I'm just a kid again
Doin' what I did again
Singing a song
When the red, red robin
Comes bob, bob, bobbin'
Along"

I stare back at Maggie's eyes, and I can't help but turn bright red, biting my lower lip.

Maggie smiles, amusement shining in her eyes. "That's a beautiful lullaby and you've got a beautiful voice. Almost the voice of an angel."

"I always felt safe when my father would be singing that song. He would hold me tight, then I would place my head on his chest and I would just listen to his voice. Afterwards, he would kiss my forehead and say 'Tell the sun and the stars hello for me'. That was always the last thing he said to me, before I would close my eyes and go to sleep."

"Well, if you ever feel scared or alone, just think about that song. Think about how safe it made you feel. Because one old song can have one thousand old memories." Maggie utters, taking my hand and holding them in hers.

"I will not only think about feeling safe anymore. I will also think about you when I hear that song, because you gave it a new meaning."

"What might that be?" Maggie whispers, looking questioningly at me.

"That music is medicine for the soul."