OCTOBER 1917

I want you to know
I'm a mirrorball

I'll show you every version of yourself tonight

I'll get you out on the floor

Shimmering beautiful

And when I break, it's in a million pieces

"Daisy!" I hear the others cry as they run after me, chasing me through the gardens. "Daisy you're wearing white heels!" Jordan cries.

But I don't care. Jay said he'd be here by sunset. And so as the brilliant reds and gold bleed through the summer sky I run towards the house like a wild thing.

And there he is, looking as brilliant and dazzling as a prince. He is leaning against his car and he looks so cool. He looks deep as oceans in conversation, which is the only way Jay can have a conversation, as if every word spoken could move mountains.

But then he sees me. And in moments he is across the lawn and in my arms. "Daisy, darling." he says my name.

"I've waited a hundred years for you!" I declare.

"Don't tell me you've had a dull time?" Jay asks.

"No it's been splendid! But it couldn't be perfect without you. But now you're here!"

Hush, when no one is around, my dear

You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes
Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you

Hush, I know they said the end is near

But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes
Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you

I give my friends an angelic smile before Jay and I go upstairs to his room.

"So this is where I'll be sleeping?" he asks.

"Isn't it very grand!"

"And where will you sleep?" he wraps an arm around my waist.

"Next to you." I whisper. He kisses me like it's our last night on Earth and we fall down onto the mattress and wrap ourselves in bed sheets as if to block out the rest of the world and enter a Universe where it is just me and Jay forever

And they called off the circus, burned the disco down

When they sent home the horses and the rodeo clowns

I'm still on that tightrope

I'm still trying everything to get you laughing at me

And I'm still a believer, but I don't know why

I've never been a natural, all I do is try, try, try

I'm still on that trapeze

I'm still trying everything to keep you looking at me

I watch him sleep. The gentle rise and fall of his chest beneath my hand, and the beating of his heart beneath my cheek tells me his alive. I don't need to know anything else except that. If I know he is alive, I have more valuable knowledge than any other man. I love him. Novels lead their reader's to believe love is complex, inexplicable. But it is as simple as learning to speak. It's just a new language, but equally as natural as one's first.

"I love you" I whisper, even though he is asleep. To tell someone you love them is the greatest risk. I hope soon I am brave enough to jump.

Because I'm a mirrorball

I'm a mirrorball

And I'll show you every version of yourself tonight