Page 81 of Deeper

Teddy: 0

Fuck youwell served.

Holliston wanted no part in my revenge scheme as she waved me off.

“Are you going to be okay after this when you get off?” I asked, getting back on track.

Holliston hung her head, nodding stiffly. “Yeah, you kidding? I’m just going to go home and watchBreakfast at Tiffany’s, the best way to cope.”

Holliston was so young, so vibrant and hopeful, I hated seeing her so down. “Hey, the perfect guy is out there for you, someone who’ll respect you and treat you with kindness. When you meet him, it’ll beextraordinary. Next time, no matter what, take it slow, feel him out, because you’re the prize. Never forget that.”

Holliston gave me a lopsided smile and came forth and hugged me close. I didn’t know her too well, but I did know she had a younger brother named Cason, and outside of that, it was them and their parents. Being older, I almost felt like a big sister.

Holliston placed the magazine in her locker. “I’ll get it right next time, I will.”

So long as she was willing to finally let Jake go, I was in full support.

Holliston smoothed out her hair some more before pulling herself together to face the workday ahead. As soon as she hit the sales floor, she was a whole different person. All of her personal heartache and pain was put to the side as the Positive Holliston came out. I admired her for that. She never really lost herself and got mad or upset enough to let it disrupt her day. Some of us at Angles had our moments where our coworkers had to walk on eggshells around us. Never Holly, though, which let me know she’d be okay, because people like that always looked on the bright side of everything.

When I went on my last break, I pulled up YouTube and gave “Leaving” a listen, first by Teddy respectfully, and then Zander’s cover. By the time the last note he sang came out, I was speechless. Really, it was the execution of the bridge, the final chorus, and that falsetto of his that stole my breath away.

I don’t wanna fight but you’re halfway out the door

To tell the truth I don’t think we’re going to make it anymore

Lead me to the guillotine

’Cause this’ll be the end of me

My heart’s in your hands

But you’ve made other plans

You tell me you’re leaving

You must have your reasons

I guess happiness is deceiving

Please turn around

Don’t go right now

We can work this out

Don’t leave me

Teddy admittedly set the bar and left his mark on the heartbreaking ballad, but Zander’s vocals and style did it impeccable justice.

Sometimes, when an artist did a cover, they tanked, badly. Others, they managed to outdo the original by adding that little extra something that made it all their own. I firmly believed Sinéad O’Connor’s cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U” was far superior than the Prince original. Sinéad brought an emotional depth that couldn’t be touched. Or like the vibe Fugees brought to “Killing Me Softly with His Song” in comparison to Roberta Flack’s version.

Other times, a cover could be as good as the original on an equal level. Maxwell’s cover of “This Woman’s Work” had always been my favorite, until I heard the original by Kate Bush in a John Hughes film and how poignant it was.

And now Zander had covered “Leaving” flawlessly. Both versions were raw and so, so good, leaving it up to debate on which was better.

Regrettably, I looked around before going and purchasing Teddy’s version on iTunes.

After it downloaded, I went out and finished my shift with my head held high.

---