I felt the weight of my back pack feel a lot heavier as I drove home. I wasn't sure if I should play it or not. Why was I getting all nervous about playing it? It was just a tape. I know for a fact it was just music. Actually, it could be like a diary or something. Oh, no. If it was a diary she would know if it was gone. I was planning on going over to her house again and putting it back when she's not in the room, but I think she'll know I took it. I decided I'm just going to keep it. No. I'm going to listen to it and then destroy it.

I walked into the kitchen of my house. There was a note on my fridge from my parents reading that they were out of town AGAIN. I had no idea what they were always doing out of state, but they always found a way to dodge the topic whenever I asked. Marceline and her parents basically raised me until I was nine, when her parents moved away and she stayed in town. At least I wouldn't get in trouble for staying out so late.

I walked up the ladder into the huge attic, which was my bedroom. It was nice. It was big and had a bathroom and a mini fridge, so I could live up there if I really wanted too. I hopped into the shower and changed into a black tee shirt and grey sweatpants before sitting down on my bed. My body filled with anticipation as I shakily took a cassette out of my bag. I chose the one that said "improv.", and set it in the old tape player.

Before I could stop myself, I clicked the green button. There was a rustling noise, but I soon heard the sound of a piano playing very loud and very fast, mixing major chords and minor chords, and Marceline's voice filled the air. She wasn't really singing this. It was more like speaking, but not rapping, in different pitches and tones and very quickly.

Sorry I'm not good enough
to be accepted in your perfect cult
I've told myself I hate you
so why is staying away difficult?
You're a mad man, and I'm a basket case
But they love you
And I'm stuck on the sidelines again,
I'm ignored and you pushed me away.

You were like my brother, and my best friend, and my soul mate when you were
mine
But that was a long, long time ago and you don't care anymore and we'll never make up for all the long lost
time
You think you're a hero.
a saint.
A martyr
You're "Perfection"
And I hate myself for hoping one day I could win all your
affection
And I'll kill myself if I let myself think for a second
That I'll always love you

At first she sounded smug. I could hear the smirk in her voice as she told off whoever she was addressing. But she transitioned into turning bitterer (yes, it's a word look it up), and now she was choking on some words. It sounded like she was crying, but that's impossible, because Marceline never cried.

Stop toying with my emotions!
this isn't a game
I'm a real person
and while I'm mentally strangling you…

I'm breaking my knees praying that
hopefully someday
you'll love me too.

I know you don't deserve it.
And it's oh-so bitter-sweet
But I can't help myself
And I hate,
Hate,
HATE,
being in love with you.

By the end of the song she had calmed down and the words flowed together better, and she was actually singing.

There were a lot more songs on that tape. Some of them made me want to slash my soul. I found myself bobbing my head to a lot of her hipster music. I wasn't into that kind of music, but Marceline's voice was just so beautiful and perfect. I could listen to her songs and die happy. One of my favorite ones was about a man trying to escape from jail. The tune was really good, and she sang with real emotions. She's never been to jail, though, so I had no idea why she would be able to seemingly understand all of the feelings.

Another song I listened I thought to be all instrumental. I heard her play piano, and there was a simple bass in the back ground. The piano was beautiful, amazing. The bass wasn't bad, but Marceline has played way better, and this was basically just two chords being played in an off tempo. I really liked it until I heard someone start rapping about homework. I gagged when I found out it was Ash. I hated that guy. After all, I had a crush on his girlfriend.

I actually wouldn't call it a crush. I asked her out because I kind of like her in a different way. I was surprised when she said no. I don't want to sound conceited, but no girl ever turns me down. So I might have gotten a little upset and went off on her. THAT probably didn't win me any brownie points, but she's cool about it.

I stopped thinking immediately. I was drawn into a new sound, something different from all the six other songs I've already heard off the tape. I heard a guitar play a simple melody. It didn't sound like a song from this year. It sounded old. Not old as in vintage rock; it sounded like a lullaby.

Empty promises,
empty threats.

Promise the little girl,
I won't forget.

Have you forgiven the old man yet?
The old man yet…

Too long
a story,
To express regret.

I have tried to-

The song cut off. That was the end of the tape. I shrugged and put the device under my bed. There was no way I could destroy it. These were now my newest favorite songs, and I would die if I never heard them again.