Before Clark could fully comprehend what he was seeing soft, slow music started to waft down from the speakers that had been set up. The crowd's hush started to become somber and perhaps spiritual as they gathered around to hear the heart-breaking ballad of the day. Clark and Pete exchanged glances.
And then Chloe started singing.
BLook at me.
My depth perception must be off again,
Cause this hurts deeper than I thought it did,
It has not healed with time.
It just shot down my spine./B
The drums decided to kick in.
BYou look so beautiful tonight.
Reminds me how you laid us down
And gently smiled,
Before you destroyed my life/B
The tempo picked up.
BWould you find it in your heart
To make this go away
And let me rest in pieces?
Let me rest in pieces.
Would you find it in y our heart
To make this go away
And let me rest in pieces?
Let me rest in pieces, in pieces./B
Chloe was completely immersed in the song. She was leaning forward into the mike, as though stomping her foot and gripping tightly to something would ease her pain. Although Clark never really had much interest in music of any sort, he could now see why it mattered to Chloe. Songs had a way of striking home and getting straight to the point. It was a matter of communication as well as something beautiful.
While he was pondering the musical significance of the Chloe's solo, it ended. For a minute the whole street was silent. Chloe was definitely a great singer and now had control of the audience. The question on most peoples minds (not Clark or Pete's as they were wondering what in the world possessed Chloe to get on a float in the middle of a parade while they were skipping) was whether the next song would be as emotion as the last.
It wasn't.
BAt first I was afraid
I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live without you
By my side
But then I spent so many nights
Thinking how you did me wrong
And I grew Strong
And I learned how to get along
And so you're back
From outer space
I just walked in to find you here with that sad look
Upon your face
I should have changed that stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I'd have known for just one second
You'd be back to bother me
Go on now, Go!
Walk out the door,
Just turn around now,
Cause you're not welcome anymore.../B
As Chloe was singing this, she made cute gestures that went along with the music. She seemed to know exactly what the crowd would eat up.
"Has she done this before?" Clark turned to Pete.
"Beats me. Sure looks like it though. Man, I'm hungry. Wanna get a hot dog?"
"Sure."
They signaled to Chloe, who had been eyeing them for most of the time, that they were going to leave for a second, and she nodded. They walked down the street away from the float and suddenly it was much quieter. The crowd thinned out and Clark could finally hear himself think. Now he only had a million questions to sort through.
"So, this part was spontaneous?"
"Definitely. I hardly get what going through that cooky head of hers."
"You just said the word cooky."
"Shut up. It was a long flight."
After they each order their respected poultry, Clark's with ketchup and Pete's with everything except, they watched Chloe for afar while eating. Now she had gone on to some indie hit that probably only ten people had ever heard before. The crowd was jumping anyway.
"Isn't she beautiful?" The words had sort of slipped out of Clark's mouth without him noticing.
"What?"
"Nothing." Clark took another bite of his hot dog to avoid further questions, but Pete was having none of it.
"Yeah, right. I heard what you said. And she is." Quickly adding, "But certainly not my type."
"Seemed to be your type in the elevator when she had you on that truth serum." Clark grinned; it was one of the most surprising moments of his life. Well, up until last night.
"That was a year ago."
"So?" They threw their trash away simultaneously and started walking back to the float. "Go for her, she's always liked you." Pete looked up at Clark, and then laughed. "But before you do, you should probably wipe the ketchup off of your face."
"And I seem to have a lack of red when I need one." He said, looking down at his blue plaid. He wiped the ketchup off with his thumb and put it in his mouth.
"Dude, that's disgusting."
"Anything for love, right?"