This was one of the first assignments I wrote for my Creative Writing course, it was one of the best. For the first time I dug deeper, I put myself in earphones’ shoes (figuratively speaking) and it took me out of my comfort zone. I like to think it paid off because it got people interested and curious about my writing, because I was the only one to write about an object who isn’t fulfilled by doing the only thing it’s made for.

When I woke up this morning from what seemed like an eternal sleep, I saw things I couldn’t quite explain. I saw orange and blue lines on what could have been a ceiling, I saw something like a window, and maybe even a face, but it was all blurry, chaotic. Before I could fully understand what I was seeing, where I was, and what was happening, something grabbed me – a claw or maybe a hand – and pressed me against something.

Now, there is only darkness. Thoughts that aren’t mine are flowing through my mind, parallel to mine but distant, echo-y: “I’m fairly local, I’ve been around; I’ve seen the streets you’re walking down; I’m fairly local, good people now”. Why would I say that? I don’t even know where I am, how can I consider myself local. Have I lost all control over my speech?

“All I wanna do is get high by the beach, get high by the beach, all I wanna do is get by by the beach, get by baby, baby, bye bye.” No, I definitely don’t want to do that, especially not at the beach. Water frightens me, many of my good friends died that way, wires fried, gone, bye bye. What is happening to me?

Yes, a moment of lucidity, finally! The voices are gone and I hope it’s for good. I should speak my own words, ones I choose. It should be a blast, I’m so excited! … Weird, I can’t. Come to think of it, I never actually spoke before. I think I’m going mad…I want to go home.

“Write down, to remind yourself on how it can be; Heartstrings, you’re tugging at my heartstrings; Helpless, I have become so helpless to your touch”. Oh, did I say this? Did I finally talk? No! It’s happening again, but this time it’s different, something is rushing through me, a feeling? How strange…  I never experienced this before. Is it sadness? No, perhaps it’s nostalgia, or…love. That’s it! Ohh what a dream.

“From my head to my toes; Feeling overexposed; I wanna be naked with you; All my faults, all your scars; Who I am, who you are.” Oh well… this one… this one makes me blush, but I can’t, I’m not allowed, it goes against my House’s values. It is extremely important I maintain my pristine white look, otherwise Apple will banish me. I don’t want that. I like the exclusivity. But the feeling, the blushing… I like that too.

Maybe this isn’t so bad, maybe it’s not madness, those voices affect me somehow, they enlighten me. Maybe these voices are essential to my well-being. “You talking money, need a hearing aid; You talking ‘bout me, I don’t see a shade; Switch up my style, I take any lane; I switch up my cup, I kill any pain.” I get it now, those voices make my life interesting, give it purpose, what would I do all day otherwise? Not talk? I’d do nothing, I would be useless white Apple earphones like so many others before me. No, I can’t let it happen.

I’m going to make sure whoever or whatever has taken over remains, I’m going to embrace the madness.