The story, as filed
Dawn sat behind Kevin in chemistry. In October 1984 she told him his headphones were too loud and asked what was on them.
She wrote the lyrics in the margins of school notebooks and sang them as if reading a report she did not fully agree with. Her timing was exact. The drum machine was the only other member who could keep up.
She sang with her arms folded in rehearsal and unfolded them on stage. Audiences noticed the difference.
After graduation she rode the Burlington line into the city for college and came home on weekends to sing. She recorded her vocals in the basement cedar closet, among the coats.
Now. Teaches high-school English in Minneapolis. Runs the school talent show. Every act is allowed a second verse.