Floating & Flaming - Syd Barrett

Summer Farewells

Why is it when you want something to be over, time never seems to share the sentiment? The hours of my final exams dragged on for an eternity. The deafening quiet amplified the rhythm of tapping pencils, fingers, and feet. I checked the ticking clock, which only made my heart race more. I only had a few more questions left and then that would be it. I could spend the entire summer holiday in freedom.

I glanced over to my right. Lindsey had casually written every answer up both of her arms. Thankfully our school was run by senile nuns whose apathy was only matched by their ignorance, so Lindsey's cheating went completely unnoticed. She returned my glance, mouthing, Five minutes!

I acknowledged her with a grin, feeling the excitement build.

The weeks of school since the night at Brook Bridge all blurred together in my mind. The school days themselves lasted for centuries, while my time with Syd was never enough.

When I was with him, I felt more alive than I ever had. He was spontaneous, romantic, with an artist's soul. This meant trips to underground poetry readings, used book shops, and of course record stores. When I couldn't find time to get out of my dormitory, he would meet me for an indoor picnic. My personal favorite was our painting sessions. Once in a while, on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, we'd meet at a scenic location with our art supplies and sit for hours painting together.

Simple silence can often be overlooked. When two people are truly in love, just being in each other's presence can be an invigorating experience. Painting, surrounded by nature, with someone I could put complete trust in, was all I could have ever dreamed of. I felt utter contentment and satisfaction in those moments. My cares melted away.

My daydreams drifted even farther away from my history final. Soft breezes ruffled his unruly hair, never causing him to break his sharp focus. His brow would furrow, nose scrunched, when working on a particularly challenging detail. Every so often, he would turn to me, beaming as bright as the sun. Each time he did, I was reminded of how unworthy I was of the way he saw me. Since that night at the bridge, something had changed in his eyes when he looked into mine, but I couldn't quite tell what it was. All I know is that it made fire course through my veins.

Thankfully, I had already finished the exam before I reached that train of thought, because before I knew it, the school bell rang. I quickly turned in my papers and rushed back to my dormitory with Lindsey to begin packing for home.

"Piper! Can you believe it? We managed to make it through another grueling school year." Lindsey was flinging random clothing items into a suitcase, while I finished folding my own. I began taking down contraband posters off the walls before we were caught in final inspection. As I took down the Beatles, Lindsey added, "I'll miss you, Paul."

"I know, right? A whole holiday to spend together! And with the boys too, I guess," I said with fake dread. "I'm making a massive mental list as we speak! Are the boys going to be playing a lot of shows that I can get away from my parents to see? Maybe we could even go to London again!" I must have been getting ahead of myself, because the look on Lindsey's face stopped my excited speech.

"What?" I asked, still holding a poster of the Animals.

"He didn't tell you? I can't believe he didn't tell you! That imbecile! I'll deck him!" Lindsey exclaimed, aggressively stripping the sheets off of her bed.

"Who didn't tell me what, Lindsey??" I was becoming more agitated.

Lindsey gave up on her bed and faced me, her face full of concern.

"Piper. Syd, Richie, and the rest of the Floyd are going on tour this summer."

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