Accelerating onto the onramp towards Hwy 16, I unravel my hair from its messy bun and let the wind tousle through it, tangling each strand of hair with another. The warm, salty breeze whips through the open windows of my car, filling the space with the sweet smell of summer. Echoes of the song ring through, trying to overcome the sound of the whistling wind. 

Welcome to your life

There’s no turning back 

Peyton sits next to me, as careless and free as ever, jamming along to the music.

“Turn it up!” she says, and I turn the volume dial to full blasts, the echoes of Tears for Fears pouring out of my car. 

Ahead of us, the sun sets below the horizon as an orange, pink hue fills the empty sky. I waver in the knowledge that this feeling can’t last forever, so I try to absorb as much of this radiating freedom as I can. 

Help me make the most of freedom

And of pleasure

Nothing ever lasts forever

Everybody wants to rule the world…

Maybe I can’t rule the world, but I know anyone can feel alive and free, so you just have to make the most of that feeling. 

All for freedom and pleasure

Nothing ever lasts forever

Everybody wants to rule the world.