After breakfast, we went back to our room to get ready for the day. I figured I would look around town as we were walking and see if anyone's hiring. I can't live off of chore money forever. I grab my backpack and Noah grabs his guitar. We're just about to leave when he asks, "Hey Miah, can you sing?" An interesting question prompts an answer of course. "Well... I've tried I guess? I don't know if I'm any good. Why do you ask?" I reply to him. "I don't know... I was wondering if you could help me with my performance today? I have a song in mind, and the lyrics are really simple..." he says, trailing off. "Oh, of course! I can't guarantee I'll sound good though.." I say reassuringly. Noah pulls out his phone and starts playing a song.
Life's too short to worry about things that we got wrong
So hug all your friends and let them know
You're not letting go
No, I won't let go, oh
The lyrics are easy enough to memorize, and after reading them a few times on Noah's phone, I'm ready to go. Noah grabs his guitar and we leave the room. Once we're outside the building, Noah takes me down the street to a busy park. He takes his guitar out and leaves the open case in front of us with a sign that says: support homeless trans teens. A few people notice us setting up and form a small group, clapping occasionally. Noah plays the first note, signaling the start of our performance. Noah and I start singing together and it sounds a lot better than I imagined.
What's it like to be alone on a Sunday
Remembering the time you saw them just yesterday
Sing me a song, tell me your thoughts
I could listen to you all night long
We're both smiling as we look at each other, singing in imperfect harmony.
And I don't care about my sleeping routine
I fucked it up as it is but we've got so much time to kill
As the night rocks me to sleep
People are forming a crowd around us and at that moment, everything is perfect. There's money in the guitar case and at that moment, there's hope.
Life's too short to worry about things that we got wrong
So hug all your friends and let them know
You're not letting go
No, I won't let go, oh
Remember when we felt like animations
And didn't need A grades for self-validation
Tell me about the things that you love
The world simply needs more affection cause,
I don't care about what people think of me
I'm fucked up as it is but we've got so much time to kill
And so many things to see
Life's too short to worry about things that we got wrong
So hug all your friends and let them know
You're not letting go
I'm not letting go
Life's too short to worry about things that we got wrong
So hug all your friends and let them know
You're not letting go
No, I won't let go, oh
We finish our song and see so many people clapping for us. There are tens and twenties in our guitar case. Noah looks at me, smiling wide, and hugs me. The crowd cheers.