Me: Okay so before I forget and get sued for everything I own-
Ali: Which isn't much!
Me: I do not own the song that was in the last chapter! It was Cave In by Owl City!
Ali: Nor does she own anything except the plot and the O/C's
Me: Nor?
Ali: Just go with it.
-I roll my eyes- Nor do I ever understand what goes on in Ali's head.
Natalie's POV
I look down at my outfit. How do the twins always know my size? They had gone out this morning and gotten me a new outfit for the little concert we were having today. I'm wearing black skinny jeans, purple converse, a white tank-top, a new leather jacket and a large cross on a long chain so it hung just below my boobs. Dr. Tred walks into the room. "How you doing?"
I try to adjust myself in the wheelchair. "I feel cramped but besides that I'm fine."
He goes behind me and pushes me out of the room and down the hall. "They're down there waiting for you. It's packed too, and we only had paralyzed patients and their families come."
I sigh. "I don't think I'm ready for a performance yet."
I hear him chuckle. "You'll do great, I know you will."
We pass a big open door. I see the band waiting for me and a bunch of people, most in wheelchairs too. He turns a corner and pushes me through one of the doors. He let go and I wheel myself to the lowered microphone. I see dad standing by the doorway. "Hey guys! So I'm here to sing for you guys but first I want to tell you my story. My name is Natalie Aldon. I also go by the names Nattie, Tali and by my boyfriend Lee. I am 16 and a junior in high school. I am in the band Studded Innocents," I motion behind me. "which is them. We created the band a year and a half ago. About a month and a half ago I got into an accident. It was November 1st. I had just finished a gig at Seafood Palace, my now boyfriend had invited me and the twins to his house to hang out. I had ridden my dirt bike over. We fell asleep and woke up at 2:30, my curfew was 1. James offered me a ride but I refused. When I rode my dirt bike it started to snow and I couldn't see. I saw headlights in front of me and when I swerved out of the way I hit something. My bike went out of control and hit something else. Me and the bike flipped into the air. When I woke up it was a month later, December 1st. I am now paralyzed from the waist down. The doctors said I wouldn't live, I'm living. They said I wouldn't wake up, and here I am talking to you. They said I wouldn't walk, and I haven't yet. But a couple days ago I was sitting in my room and I twitched my toes. To a random person on the street twitching your toes is nothing, but when you haven't been able to even feel your legs, it is the most amazing feel in the world. I now have feeling from my ankles down. I cannot move them but I can feel them. And this is my story."
They clap and I hold up my hand. "I am not asking for applause, just realization that I was in the same position as you, and I'm getting better. I realize that I am on of the lucky ones. But it could happens to any of you, just don't give up hope." I cover my microphone with my hand and look at Mabel. "What song first?"
She mouths 'One Step At A Time'.
I sigh and take my hand off the mike. "Sorry for the irony of this song."
They started playing.
Hurry up and waitSo close, but so far awayEverything that you've always dreamed ofClose enough for you to tasteBut you just can't touchYou wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yetWonder when and where and how you're gonna make itYou know you can if you get the chanceIn your face as the door keeps slammingNow you're feeling more and more frustratedAnd you're getting all kind of impatient waitingWe live and we learn to takeOne step at a timeThere's no need to rushIt's like learning to flyOr falling in loveIt's gonna happen when it'sSupposed to happen and weFind the reasons whyOne step at a timeYou believe and you doubtYou're confused, you got it all figured outEverything that you always wished forCould be yours, should be yours, would be yoursIf they only knewYou wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yetWonder when and where and how you're gonna make itYou know you can if you get the chanceIn your face as the door keeps slammingNow you're feeling more and more frustratedAnd you're getting all kind of impatient waitingWe live and we learn to takeOne step at a timeThere's no need to rushIt's like learning to flyOr falling in loveIt's gonna happen when it'sSupposed to happen and weFind the reasons whyOne step at a timeWhen you can't wait any longerBut there's no end in sightwhen you need to find the strengthIt's your faith that makes you strongerThe only way you get thereIs one step at a timeWe live and we learn to takeOne step at a timeThere's no need to rushIt's like learning to flyOr falling in loveIt's gonna happen when it'sSupposed to happen and weFind the reasons whyOne step at a time
We live and we learn to takeOne step at a timeThere's no need to rushIt's like learning to flyOr falling in loveIt's gonna happen when it'sSupposed to happen and weFind the reasons whyOne step at a time
They all clap really hard and I feel like I used to. "Thank you! That was One Step At A Time. And this one is All These Lives."
I nod to Mabel and they start.
Doesn't come down when she calls,"It's time for breakfast."Momma can't get down those hallsFast enough to seeGlass is sprayed across the floorFrom the broken can't breathe 't deny what we 're gonna find you, just 're not a person; you're a these lives that you've been taking,Deep inside, my heart is homes from 't you know it's violation?It's so wrong, but you'll gonna let you take my world from world outside these walls may know you're breathing,But you ain't comin' ain't comin' hung on building wallsOf missing go by without the cause,The clues, or 're gonna find you, just 're not a person; you're a these lives that you've been taking,Deep inside, my heart is homes from 't you know it's violation?It's so wrong, but you'll gonna let you take my world from world outside these walls may know you're breathing,But you ain't comin' the light on all the ones who never thought they would becomeA father, mother asking why this world can be so 't come down when she calls,"It's time for breakfast."The memories begin to asks, "When will I be free?"All these lives that you've been taking,Deep inside, my heart is homes from 't you know it's violation?It's so wrong, but you'll gonna let you take my world from world outside these walls may know you're breathing,But you ain't comin' these lives that you've been taking,Deep inside, my heart is these lives that you've been taking,Deep inside, my heart is these lives that you've been taking,Deep inside, my heart is world outside these walls may know you're breathing,The world outside these walls may know you're breathing,But you ain't comin' in. I laugh at the faces at some of the girls in wheelchairs. "What do you guys think?" They yell. I put a hand to my ear. "I can't hear you!" They scream. "That's better!"
I start singing.
Dear ViennaI regarded the world as such a sad sightUntil I viewed it in Black & WhiteAnd I reviewed every frame in basic shapeAnd sealed the exits with caution tape(Dear Vienna)Don't refocus your eyes in the darknessAnd don't remember this place unlessI describe all the things that you cannot seeAnd we'll unravel the mysteryFarewellAll my friendsIn TextbooksI'm going homeCause my blood cells cannot depend on the weather in photographsThere's a light show, out my windowSomewhere, way up thereDear Vienna (Dear Vienna) are you singingDear Vienna are you swingingDear Vienna (Dear Vienna) We were happy like the shades of MayWhen we got carried awayDear ViennaI regarded the world as such a sad sightUntil I viewed it in Black & WhiteAnd I reviewed every frame in basic shapeAnd sealed the exits with caution tapeDear ViennaDon't refocus your eyes in the darknessAnd don't remember this place unless I describe all the things that you cannot seeAnd we'll unravel the mysteryDear ViennaI was so far out of placeWatching those stars in outer spaceCause I am so far from where you areThere's a light show, out my windowSomewhere, way up there (way up there)Dear Vienna (Dear Vienna) are you singing (are you singing)Dear Vienna (Dear Vienna) are you swingingDear Vienna (Dear Vienna) We were happy like the shades of MayWhen we got carried away
I look over at Dr. Tred and he motions for three more songs. I bite my lip and look back at the crowd. "That was Dear Vienna in case you couldn't tell. Now I'm going to sing a song that I wrote for James, my boyfriend. He's hearing it for the first time too so let's see what he thinks." I wheel over to Mable and she puts a headset on me. I wheel over to James and hold his hands.
They start playing again.
I'm the one with two left feetStanding on a lonely streetI can't even walk a straight lineAnd every time you look at meI'm spinning like an autumn leafBound to hit bottom sometime
Where would I be without someone to save meSomeone who won't let me fallYou are everything that I live forEverything that I can't believe is happeningYou're standing right in front of meWith arms wide open
All I know isEvery day is filled with hopeYou are everything that I believe forAnd I can't help but breathe you in
Breathe againFeeling all this life withinEvery single beat of my heart
I'm the one with big mistakesBig regrets and bigger breaksThan I ever care to confessOh but, You're the one who looks at meAnd sees what I was meant to beMore than just a beautiful mess
Where would I be without someone to save meSomeone who won't let me fallYou are everything that I live forEverything that I can't believe is happeningYou're standing right in front of meWith arms wide open
All I know isEvery day is filled with hopeYou are everything that I believe forAnd I can't help but breathe you inBreathe again
Feeling all this life withinEvery single beat of my heart
You're everything good in my lifeEverything honest and trueAnd all of those stars hanging up in the skyCould never shine brighter than YouYou are everything that I live forEverything that I can't believe is happeningYou're standing right in front of meWith arms wide open
All I know isEvery day is filled with hopeYou are everything that I believe forAnd I can't help but breathe you inBreathe againFeeling all this life withinEvery single beat of my heartYou areYou areJames, You areYou are everything
James moved my headset and kissed me for the second time ever. The same sparks spread through my body and my toes twitched. My tummy fluttered like a billion butterflies. I pulled away. "Time to get on with the show." I winked and he looked lost. I wheeled myself back up and handed the headset to Mabel. I make my way back to the mike. "So, we have two more songs. Let's go!"
They started playing for the 5th time.
You're chilled out, I'm so hyperOn paper we're a disasterAnd I'm driving you crazyIt's my little gameI push you, and you push backTwo opposites so alike thatEveryday' a roller coasterI'm a bump you'll never get overThis love-hate relationshipYou say you can't handle itBut there's no way to stop this nowSo shut up and kiss meKick, scream call it quitsBut your just so full of itCuz it's too late, to close your mouthShut up and kiss meSo shut up!So shut up!I call you and you pick upI tell you how much I'm in loveI'm laughing and you get madIt's my little gameGo ahead now, admit itYou like your world with me in itLike a record, it's brokenYeah, I'm a bump you'll never get overThis love-hate relationshipYou say you can't handle itBut there's no way to stop this nowSo shut up and kiss meKick , scream call it quitsBut your just so full of itCuz it's too late, to close your mouthShut up and kiss meYou miss my lips, my kiss, my laughThe riffs on my guitarThe way we fight, we make up fastOooooh yeah So shut up!Love-hate, love-hate, love hate!Cuz it's a love-hate relationshipYou say you can handle itBut there's no way to stop this nowSo shut up and kiss meKick, scream call it quitsBut your just so freakin' full of itCuz it's too late, to shut your mouthShut up and kiss me
They all clap again and I motion for Mabel to come over to me. "We still have to do one more song."
She glances at the crowd. "But we haven't practiced anything else!"
I looked over at Hazel and she winked. We can do that one! "Let's do the one that you and Hazel wrote."
She shakes her head. "We haven't practiced it enough!"
I smiled. "We're doing that one."
She nodded and went back. In this one, keyboard was mostly the main sound.
Baby, get upOpen your eyes now, the world's waking upYou realize we'll walk to the beat so suddenlyWhile we make believe that this will last foreverWe won't sleep 'til 3 in the morningThis song speaks, and it's singing the real thingIt feels like we're living a dreamBut tonight we're gonna make this one rightWe'll set the stage and let the records play on a SaturdayAnd we can dance foreverWe'll burn the light that makes the city swayWhen we set the stage, we can dance foreverForever, forever, foreverForever, forever, forever, foreverAnd we can dance foreverWe're crazy enough to feel alive nowYou've got the stuff when we arriveWe'll walk to the beat so suddenlyAnd then you tell me that we could stay togetherWe won't sleep 'til 3 in the morningThis song speaks, and it's singing the real thingIt feels like we're living a dreamBut tonight we're gonna make this one rightWe'll set the stage and let the records play on a SaturdayAnd we can dance foreverWe'll burn the light that makes the city swayWhen we set the stage, we can dance foreverForever, forever, foreverAnd we can dance foreverForever, forever, foreverTurn around, just move itWith your feet on the ground, you'll prove itWhen you hear the sound, we'll both lose itThen we'll make the rounds to dance foreverAnd when the music stops and we can't waitFor another day, but we'll just dance foreverWe'll hold on tight and think of SaturdaysIf you say my name, then we can dance foreverWe'll set the stage and let the records play on a SaturdayAnd we can dance foreverWe'll burn the light that makes the city swayWhen we set the stage, we can dance foreverForever, forever, foreverWe can dance foreverForever, forever, forever
They all clap really loud and I blow kisses. "Thank you so much! We enjoyed playing for you! But most of the credit goes to my friends, I just sing! If you want to talk to us ask one of the nurses or doctors and they'll give you our cell-phone numbers. Bye!" I wheel myself towards them and they engulf me in a group hug. I love these guys with all my heart.
Hazel attacks me with another hug. "You didn't have to recognize us! And you just sing? You are a big part of us."
I shrug. "You can always find a new singer."
I feel someone rub my shoulders. "But you can never find another Natalie."
Mabel smiles. "Exactly James."
So these stories have apparently taken up my whole life. Well if they are, I'm enjoying every minute of it. The songs I used for this were One Step at a Time by Jordin Sparks, All These Lives by Daughtry, Dear Vienna by Owl City, You Are Everything by Matthew West, Shut Up and Kiss Me by Orianthi, and Dance Forever by All-Star Weekend. Hope you liked it! Click the button right down there!
