The Songs in Our Hearts: A Young Adult Romance(67)

“Wildest Dreams” - Taylor Swift: This is the song we slow-danced to. And just as you had said that night, songs are like memories. This will always be a song, in my memory, of a time when I knew I was starting to fall for you.


“How to Save a Life” - The Fray: I feel as though we have, in our own ways, saved each other. You saw a girl on the bus and gave her no choice but to deal with you. You pulled her from her books and expanded her horizons from the four corners of her room. You, Micah, have saved me from myself. I will always remember our time together through this song, like a montage of the passing weeks we spent with each other.


“Till Kingdom Come” - Coldplay: This song has gotten me through many snowy seasons. It’s been with me through colored leaves and warm cups of tea. And it has been with me each morning, just before the bus comes down my street. As I climb in and turn the corner, I see your face—to this song. And each day, I remind myself that I could get through the day, as long as it meant having a chance to be with you.


“If You Leave Me Now” - Foxes: This one speaks for itself. I don’t...want to lose you. I don’t want to lose what we have.


“Flashlight” - Nathaniel Hoho: This reminded me of our nights at the Mini-Mart, and oddly enough, the bonfire. I love this song. It’s a gentle reminder that no matter what happens, you’ll have a friend in me. I’ll be your flashlight to keep you from getting lost, and I hope that you’ll be mine.


“Something Stupid” - Michael Buble (feat Reese Witherspoon): A few nights ago, just before our project presentation, I was watching the movie Joy on my computer. There was this really beautiful scene between Jennifer Lawrence and Edgar Ramirez. They were singing this song together, while tons of fake snow sprinkled down around them. The lyrics really struck home for me, in an odd way. I know I told you that I didn’t like you in the past. I know I denied it. But the truth is...I do.


“Hold On” - Shel & Gareth Dunlop: I listened to this song the night after the bonfire. I was avoiding all of your text messages and my mom suckered me into watching a sad romance. You know, the ones where someone dies in the end. So, this movie had something to do with a nice girl and a boy from the other side of the tracks, but they fell in love. They fell in love in the deepest and probably most unrealistic way. This song came on after the movie was over, and I went online and listened to it over and over. I started to think about you and me and...everything. There’s a lyric in the song that has to do with coming for someone. I’d like to think that we’ll always hold on in some way, and seek each other out no matter what’s going on in our lives. I believe in that, Micah.


“Up” - Olly Murs feat. Demi Levato: Open your window, crank up the volume, and let your arm ride the wind. It’s a great song.


“Can’t Help Falling in Love” - Ingrid Michaelson’s cover of Elvis Presley: Since I know you like Elvis, this is one of my favorite Elvis Presley songs, and I really love this rendition. It makes me wish I could lie under the stars, and listen to this song and just be. Just.


“Goodnight My Angel”- Billy Joel: This song has come to mean so much to me. The very end—that’s the part I really want you to listen to. That’s how I wish it could be.


P.S. I hope you listen to this and hear everything that I’m trying to say. I hope you can forgive me for holding back, for pushing you away…when I should have trusted you…and myself. I never expected to fall for you the way I have; I never expected for any of this to happen, but I’m glad it did.


I’m glad you moved back to Grand Lakes and swept me away with your car rides and your music. To answer Samantha’s question, if I had to choose between you or pizza, it would be you. Even that day, at her house, you were the one. Consider me your John Cusack from Say Anything; this is me, holding a boom-box over my head, playing songs to you.


From me, to you, Micah.


“Wait”


M83


I WATCHED AS JENNIFER AND Rachel read over the letter quietly during study hall. They gazed over the flat sheet of notebook paper.

“You spent a lot of time on this list, didn’t you?” Rachel asked as she lifted her chin to look at me.

“Yeah, I did,” I said as Jennifer gave me a knowing grin. “I kinda talked to my dad about it last night and the words just came to me.”

“Are you just going to stick it in his locker?”

“I am.” I nodded and carefully took the letter back. I folded it and tucked it into the CD sleeve.

“And you’re going to wait at the Grand Lakes Library?” Rachel asked. “Do you want David and me to come hang out with you?” I saw her cheeks turn red. “I mean....”

“Wait, wait.” Jennifer held up a hand. “Did David finally ask you?”

Rachel gauged Jennifer’s expression and then erupted into a fit of giggles.

“He did!” Rachel beamed. “He did, last night!”

“About time!” Jennifer laughed. “Wow, my two besties found men!”

“This isn’t about me, though,” Rachel deflected. “The offer still stands, Charlie, if you’d like David and me to come keep you company.”

“It’s okay. I’m just going to go there and read or...find something to do.”