The music glides and dances.

The buildings fly past.

My sister changes the song.

Mum sings loudly and unapologetically.

I sit quietly

feeling out of place but seen.

I sing quietly

turned away so they can't see.

The music glides and dances.

It surrounds me like a blanket.

I may feel out of place

but music frees my soul for a few minutes,

like I’m dancing on the inside.

I experience the feeling of loneliness in a car of people.

Their music isn’t something I enjoy

So why does the music hit me so hard?

Captures my heart.

Squeezes it.

I’m like an addict.

The car speeds up.

We’re on the highway.

Everything is perfect.

Everything feels just right.

The song changes again.

Mum swerves the car with the music.

We yell at her to stop.

She grins,

tells us to lighten up.