What Andrew Said.

"He said I changed."

Mademoiselle and Missy looked at me from across the circular table.

Mademoiselle was sitting with one leg crossed over her knee, the stiletto heel of her boots jutting out pointedly as if to stab at the air. She regarded me with a sideways glance and a small smile that bordered on a slight, albeit friendly, sneer. One hand resting lightly against her chin.

Missy just looked at me earnestly, her eyes expressive, a cocktail of thoughts brought on by my announcement.

They had an opinion, these two.

"So what do you think about that?" That was Missy.

"What do I think about this..." "I think he's right." I shrugged. "I just don't know... what to make of it. You guys know what I mean."

Of course they do.

"I think you changed for the better. The old you was far too... Stupid. I mean, you were a pale shadow of what you are now! Barely even halfway there I think." Mademoiselle said.

"You had a milder nature back then," Missy bit her lip. "You're pink then when you're red now, in a manner of speaking. I mean, for the most of it anyway."

I told them that my friend had said I was better then, as a person. He said I was kinder, and basically... Kinder.

Mademoiselle snorted in disgust. Even Missy smiled.

"Granted he barely knew me, knows me. I probably put on a better social front then though. Or at least gave off a more "pushover" message."

"Look, you were less developed as an individual back then. Your world was a small town and your social circle was... Lacking. I'd say any change now is good change. You're becoming more of a person." Mademoiselle waved her hand with an air of finality.

"Well, yeah, but you did lose some things. For one, you yourself said you thought you were smarter back then." Missy interjected. "And you don't write anymore! That creative spark seems to have died out with you somewhat," she added rather pointedly.

I just nodded. They both had a point. We all develope as individuals through our experiences and exposure. I was a poor shadow of what I can be back then. Flailing to survive. Even now, I am barely half of where I can be, if I let myself. But that is another story for another day.

I scoffed. "I guess I was more interested in being 'smart' smart back then. Read more, remembered more. When I came to college I guess I had other things on my mind," I chuckled. "And that "creative spark" died when I began feeling like I was trapped in a glass jar and running out of air. Even now I am not entirely sure what really killed it. I just stopped being inspired."

"You lost your sense of wonder," Missy helped. "Back then even though you were from the inside looking out, at all the things you wanted to touch, taste and feel, you retained your sense of wonder at it all. Funny, I thought it should actually increase with you being 'out of the jar' now."

"In a way your spirit burned brighter then," Mademoiselle shrugged reluctantly. "Or maybe, without having a lampshade on it."

"Look guys, I like what I am now. It's not perfect and there're days when I feel that I wanna be somebody else as per the Pink song, but for all that I seemingly lost, let die or wither, I can't bear ever being the way I was back then. The thought literally gives me pain! I don't WANT to be the old me."

I sighed.

"I know I lost some stuff and maybe that flame, it did burn a bit brighter back then. I realize that whatever changed, it was not entirely for the better. Some were admittedly, not... improvements per se. But with every passing day, I am successively finding out just how stupid I was yesterday. So... that's at least good."

"Or just that your opinion changed". Missy added helpfully (not so helpfully). "Well I guess it can't all be good. No such perfect thing."

Mademoiselle was silent. Now THAT is unusual. We both looked at her.

She just lit a stick and exhaled leisurely, drawing it out as long as possible, before finally looking down at the both of us and saying, "You're right." "I think when you take it all together, everything included, you still come out on top. At the end of the day it's more good than bad."

"You didn't need us to come to that conclusion did you?" Mademoiselle narrowed her eyes.

I smiled. No. But having them helped.

Back In Town.

(Chorus)
I've been all over the world,
Seen all the beautiful wonderful things,
But now I'm back in town baby,
Back in town, back in town.

They said Jeremiah was a bullfrog,
That his wine was mighty fine.
I would've liked to try that fine wine,
And go a-drinkin' away the time.

The king he had some mighty fine things,
Kitty cats a-dancing and porkers with wings.
Ran I did through that treasure hold,
Making sweet love to mountains of gold.

(Chorus)
I've been all over the world,
Seen all the beautiful wonderful things,
But now I'm back in town baby,
Back in town, back in town.

If I had the run of the world,
I'll tell you what I'd do.
I'd swing by every joint in town,
And shake it till the moon goes down.

(Chorus)
I've been all over the world,
Seen all the beautiful wonderful things,
But now I'm back in town baby,
Back in town, back in town.

Not Yet.

There was so much left unsaid,
I never got to tell you.
I never got to hold you,
Before you went away.

Tell me again why I waited,
I never took my chances.
I never paid the dues,
Before you went away.

(Chorus)
You walked away,
Before I could say,
We're not done yet,
And until then my love will stay.

(Bridge)
Turn to me again,
Even if this is the end.
I need to close the book,
I need that one last look.

(Chorus)
You walked away,
Before I could say,
Don't leave me yet,
I need to say,
We're not done yet,
And until then my love will stay.

I'm Through Burning For You.

Lonely nights and lonely days,
Passed me by in your arms.
I could never make you stay,
It was always in your charms.

I was yours but you my love,
You were never truly mine.
And though I prayed to God above,
I cried to sleep every single time.

(Chorus)
I'm through burning for you.
You were never where I needed you.
I'm done breaking my heart,
Packing my bags I'm tearing us apart.

I wish I shook off that hold,
You always had on me.
You got me the very first time,
Like taking candy from a baby.

And I spent my time pining,
For that side I hoped to see.
But I can't wait my whole life,
Baby you never cared for me.

(Chorus)
I'm through burning for you.
You were never where I needed you.
I'm done breaking my heart,
Packing my bags I'm tearing us apart.

We'll Rock The House.

There were times,
We thought we'd never make it.
Things were hard,
And we just couldn't fake it.

You know how you try and try,
And never get it.
You know how you throw it all,
But never stick it.

We know the feeling,
We hit the ceiling,
But we bounced back up,
So here's to never giving up.

(Chorus)
We'll rock the house,
There's nothing that can stand in our way,
Because when we shake it up,
We live it up, turn it up, burn it up,
We're the best we'll beat the rest.

The going gets tough,
And it gets hard to stick together.
But we busted through,
Stayed here for one another.

(Chorus)
We'll rock the house,
There's nothing that can stand in our way,
Because when we shake it up,
We live it up, turn it up, burn it up,
We're the best we'll beat the rest.

Ready To Have A Good Time.

Left the papers on the desk,
Stiff pencil skirts behind.
Because no way in hell I'm not fine,
I really need to have a good time.

Sweeping the streets, the lights,
Tonight babe I'm burnin' bridges.
I know what I need, what I need,
And I need to have a good time.

(Chorus)
Ready to have a good time,
Tonight we ain't toe-ing the line.
The city's all mine mine mine,
I'm so ready to have a good time.

(Bridge)
Come on girls,
I know something the secret to paradise.
We gonna clean up real nice.
They won't know what hit 'em!

Shaking my hair loose,
My drink ain't the only thing on fire.
I want it all, I want it all,
I'm feelin' like a live wire.

(Chorus)
Ready to have a good time,
Tonight we ain't toe-ing the line.
The city's all mine mine mine,
I'm so ready to have a good time.

No Way.

Your swagger, your style.
Ooh baby I love it.
The room's on fire hotstuff,
I just can't get enough.

Lovin' the cheesy lines,
Boy you're so damn fine.
You get us girls derailed,
But honey honey honey,
You ain't steady material.

(Chorus)
No no no no way no way,
I'm getting with you.
Not until you get a clue.
There's no way no way,
I'm so not into you.

I need a guy who gets me,
Not just one for getting silly,
And until you get the idea,
I want you nowhere near.

You're good for a fling,
A girl does want a fun ride.
But all fun and games aside,
I need someone by my side.

(Chorus)
No no no no way no way,
I'm getting with you.
Not until you get a clue.
There's no way no way,
I'm so not into you.