Tree, mountains, Southern California
My name is Sheyenne. I'm nine inches tall, mainly because I'm a chipmunk—chipette, actually. Most of you wouldn't recognize me, because I'm not as famous as the Chipmunks and Chipettes, but I want to be. Dad keeps telling me I'll never make it—and yes, I still live with my parents. Dad's abusive, and Mom's negligent. They fight all the time. They are now, actually.
In between the coats in the closet
She held on to that heart-shaped locket
Staring at a family, flawless
But it ain't a pretty picture tonight
Mom and daddy just won't stop it
Fighting at the drop of a faucet
Cuts through the walls, catastrophic
She's caught in the crossfire
Puts her hands over her ears
Starts talking through the tears
And she's saying, and she's praying
I wish words were like little toy guns
No sting, no hurting no one
Just a bang, bang rolling off your tongue
(I wish words were like little toy guns)
Yeah, no smoke, no bullets
No kick from the trigger when you pull it
No pain, no damage done
(I wish words were like little toy guns)
And just a bang, bang rolling off your tongue
(I wish words were like little toy guns)
Wish there was a white flag waving
Or that they were both just faking
And it was just a game they were playing
Like shoot-'em-up cowboys
Leave the plastic pistols in the front yard
Throw away the scorecard
And just turn off all the noise
I wish words were like little toy guns
No sting, no hurting no one
Just a bang, bang rolling off your tongue
(I wish words were like little toy guns)
Yeah, no smoke, no bullets
No kick from the trigger when you pull it
No pain, no damage done
(I wish words like were little toy guns)
And just a bang, bang rolling off your tongue
(I wish words were like little toy guns)
Toy guns
Oh, I wish they didn't cut like a knife
I wish they didn't break you inside
I wish they didn't bang, bang
Make you wanna run...
Yeah, like little toy guns
No sting, no hurting no one
Just a bang, bang rolling off your tongue
(I wish words were like little toy guns)
Yeah, no smoke, no bullets
No shot from the trigger when you pull it
No pain, no damage done
(I wish words were like little toy guns)
And just a bang, bang rolling off your tongue
(I wish words were like little toy guns)
Toy guns
Oh, like little toy guns
The only reason I have a dress at all is because I made it myself, using a camouflage blanket I found, and a soft sweater from an old doll coat, after making a nightgown. I've got a plan now, and I leave at midnight. I'm going to find the man that made the Chipmunks and Chipettes famous. I sigh and stuff my sewing supplies into my small bag, then lay my nightgown on top. 'Sweet freedom, here I come!'
Ian's house
I climb the steps and jump up to a ledge to reach the doorbell. It's not as nice as the house he had when he cared for the boys, or the apartment he lived in with the girls, but it's better than where I was.
"Hello?"
"Sir? I'm down here."
He looks down before moving to shut the door. "I don't have time for this."
"Please, Sir, don' leave me out in the cold."
He turns back to me. "Can you sing?"
I nod. I've never sang in front of anyone, but I've sang while I'm doing the chores Mom refuses to do, and I'm pretty good.
He leads me in and sits on a filthy couch. "Show me."
I hop onto a coffee table and start to sing.
S-O-S please someone help me
It's not healthy for me to feel this way
Y-O-U are making this hard (Hard)
You got me tossing and turning can't sleep at night
This time please someone come and rescue me
He smiles at me. "You're good. What's your name?"
"Sh-Sheyenne, Sir."
"Sheyenne, I'm going to make you a star."
"Th-thank you, Sir."
"Name's Ian." He sighs. "You're not going to be like The Chipmunks or the Chipettes, are you? I gave them everything, and they turned on me."
"Ya're safe. I ain't goin' back to those abusers that call themselves my parents."
"Good." He sighs. "Come on. I should have a few things from the girls you can use until I can get you your own."
Two weeks later
I walk up the steps to West Eastman High. I'm wearing a new light blue polo dress with a pleated skirt and a white and gray argyle sweater, and new glasses with dark pink frames. Besides shopping, I've spent all my free time practicing for my singing debut. I'm exhausted, but my voice is stronger than his abuse, so I'm able to keep from sounding hoarse.
I turn when I hear another squeaky voice calling for me, and find the chipmunks and Chipettes. I sigh before turning away and heading back up the stairs. Ian tells me they're no good. I know better, of course, but I won't tell him that. I've learned that Ian's worse than my old parents ever were, but he did take me in, and a deal's a deal.
I feel a hand on my shoulder. "Wait."
I shrug away from the hand. "I can't."
"Who are you?"
I look down, before looking into Jeanette's violet eyes. "I'm Sheyenne."
"Nice to meet you. I'm—"
"Jeanette. Chipette. I've heard of ya." I smile. "Nice ta meet ya."
She smiles at me. "Want to stick with me?"
I shrug. "Better 'n nothin'."
Simon walks up beside Jeanette. "If you don't mind my saying this, you look exhausted."
"I don' mind, and I know." I sigh. "Ian—"
The other four gather around me. Alvin looks furious with me. "He's the devil!"
Simon lays a hand on his brother's shoulder. "He doesn't have to have a reason or a motivation to hurt someone."
Theodore and Eleanor share a look. "He put us in cages!"
"Trust me, I know." I sigh. "But I'm used ta abuse, sadly."
Theodore beams. "Dave can save you!"
Eleanor grins. "He saved us!"
Simon smiles at me. "No one deserves to live like that."
Brittany turns to me. "Do you sing?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"Ian doesn't take someone in unless they can sing."
"Then it's obvious she can sing!"
"Boys! Girls!" We look up to see Dr. Rubin, who looks down to me. "Hello. You must be Sheyenne."
I nod. "H-hey. They weren't doin' anythin' wrong, Ma'am."
She smiles. "I know." The bell rings. "But they are late."
I wave to them. "I'll catch up ta ya later."
"It's nice to meet you."
"Ya too." I smile gently.
"Come with me. I'll take you to your class."
CLASS
She knocks on a door. "Miss Ortega, this is Sheyenne."
I run in and jump on the desktop. "Hi."
"Look, it's another rat!"
"Shut it, Ryan!"
"I-I'm Sh-Sheyenne."
"Why don't you go sit beside Jeanette? She'll help you catch up with the rest of the class."
lunch
Jeanette turns to me. "So, what do you sing?"
"I know mostly country, and some rock and pop. I've learned most of your songs, but my favorite is Counting Stars. Ian's been training me non-stop."
Eleanor sighs. "He does that."
Theodore nods. "All he cares about is money."
Simon smiles. "I'll tell Dave about you. Maybe he'll take you in like he did us."
"Maybe." I sigh softly. "I'm opening for a Katy Perry concert in a couple'a days."
"Then you'll be a star when you come live with us."
"Maybe she doesn't want to be a star, Alvin. Why don't you ever see that maybe some of us just want to be normal!"
"No. I want to be famous. Dad used to say I couldn' sing, but I knew I could—I know I can."
"Then stick with us. We'll take you far."
"Thanks, Simon." I smile at the others. "All of ya'll."