Children Of The Stars, Unite,

It was a little after one in the morning, and they had been driving for just over twenty minutes. He leaned his seat back and kicked his feet up on the dash, sighing heavily. He crossed his arms, pulling the thin sweatshirt tighter against the cool night air, as he gazed out the window.

Children Of The Stars, Unite,

First he listened, letting his eyes gloss over. There was the rush of the wind from the wide open windows, whipping his hair across his forehead and totally messing up his part. Then there was the whiz of the tires on the wet road, inevitably tapping a rhythm into his head. Then there was the rise and fall of cars rushing past, sometimes bringing with them a mangled snippet of radio. Adding to the song were the occasional crickets, the blink of a turn signal, and his mum chattering quietly about... something. He "mm-hmmed" in all the appropriate places. Occasionally he spoke a word or two in response, admiring his own voice. It was low, slightly rough and a little meek. It felt like singing a lullaby, something soothing and comfortable. He liked language. He liked to sing.

Children Of The Stars, Unite,

While he listened, he also looked. They had driven this road a thousand times before. It was comfortable. Familiar buildings ran by him, the twinkling street and traffic lights painting pictures in his eyes, each one a new stroke as they drove past. The piece was currently looking slightly like a... Pollock. Well, not really, but he didn't actually know any other abstract artists.

Children Of The Stars, Unite,

He breathed deeply, the cold air filling his lungs and fleeing right back out again. He was so glad his nose wasn't stuffed up. It was definitely chilly tonight, much too chilly for mid August, but it's not like he had any say. His hair was flying up and tickling his nose, his ear, his eye. It was long and a bit unruly, but he liked it that way. It gave him a curtain to hide behind. He inhaled deeply once more, the air smelling only of rain, and exhaled. His mind was finally quiet.

Children Of The Stars, Unite,

Quiet, except for that one song stuck in his head. He had thought about turning on the radio, but it was late, and would probably only wake him more. He song looped over and over in his head, _"Children of the Stars, u-nite. Hmhmhmmhmhm hmmm the night." He only knew one line of the chorus, but that was enough, apparently.

Children Of The Stars, Unite.

He was at ease, outside was static, his brain was quiet, and he was relaxed. He hummed along to the song in his head, and let the world pass him by.

(The song is "Children of the Stars" by The Orion Experience and that whole album is seriously so good. Please go check it out my friend recently recommended them to me and I'm already in love. Thanks a lot, Zach.)

Published August 18, 2020