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Without much more hesitation, I start playing, coaxing my hand’s memories to life, opening with a slow melody, and then I start to sing.
We were a storm destined to collide
You were a story I had to write
Between the pages filled with ink, and the wild skies filled with thunder
You became my safe place to hide, so way up high,
Because we simply existed under the same sky
But I was so wrong to believe
That you’d stay and never leave
And I was so wrong to believe
That you’d always be there for me
It’s been a few years now, and I’ve wondered where you are
Thought about the moments and the laughter we shared under the stars
I wanted to see it all through your eyes, see the world from way up high
Until I remembered that you’d left me behind
But I was so wrong to believe
That you’d stay and never leave
And I was so wrong to believe
That you’d always be there for me
Time has passed, and we’re strangers now
I made it without you, somehow
And now I see the storm we were meant to be,
Why you meant so much to me
Because when two stars collide, so way up high,
They always crash and burn and fall in love,
When they’re under the same sky
The words blend with each lick, each melody, bringing a part of me back to life that I’d shut off years ago. Everyone else falls away, and I lose myself to the moment, wholly aware that I’m vulnerable, but enjoying the feel of the music dancing through my hands too much to really care. When I’m done, I find six sets of eyes on me, and five mouths agape. Thorin gives nothing away, but I see it in his eyes. There’s no mistaking the song is about him, but he shouldn’t get it confused with it being for him. I wrote it for me, and I’m actually surprised it’s the first song that popped into my head. I can’t even remember writing it, just that it was cathartic at the time.
“Uh,” Carson looks at my like I’ve grown a second head. “What the hell, Reese?”
“What the hell is right,” Fletch adds. “That was…” He shakes his head, almost as if he can’t believe it’s me.
“Fucking awesome,” Benji finishes, his toothy grin wide. “You write that?”
I nod. “I did, when I was in college.”
