Written in the Stars *EDITING*

Chapter 33: Stargazing

On Friday night, Nathan had texted her asking if she would be able to sneak out. Mia didn't necessarily feel like staying up late, but after Nathan had opened up to her, she didn't want his walls to start building up again. Anyhow, every adventure they had was fun and why should she turn that down? So she put on her black jeans and threw on a hoodie before sneaking down the tree outside her window at 3 a.m. This time she was smart enough to wear gloves so as to not procure any splinters. "Hi. Can I know where we're going or is it another one of your mysteries?" she asked when she entered his car.

"It's a surprise," he smiled, thrilled she had agreed to sneak out with him. It seemed she had dressed perfectly for whatever they were doing since he was also wearing a hoodie and jeans. For ten minutes they drove in silence, finding the quiet comforting. "Put this on," he said. He handed her a black strip of cloth.

"As a blindfold?" she queried with a laugh.

"Yes actually."

"Please don't tell me I've finally annoyed you enough for you to kill me. Hazel will solve my murder, I can assure you of that."

He scoffed. "Mia, I'm not going to murder you. It's a good surprise, trust me. Besides, if I was going to murder someone, I wouldn't get caught."

"You've met Hazel, right? She would avenge me."

"I don't doubt it. Now put the blindfold on please."

With a sigh, Mia put the blindfold on, her curiosity at an all-time high. They continued to drive until finally, Nathan parked the car. Hearing his door open, she wondered where he had gone. Then, her door opened and he helped her out of the car. "Can I take it off now?"

"Nope," he said as he opened the back door and took something out. He held her hand and started to walk with her, slowly so she didn't fall. After a minute's walk, he stopped and dropped her hand. Mia heard him put something on the ground before he stood beside her. "You can look now," he whispered.

Reaching for the back of her head, Mia undid the blindfold. They were standing on a green open field that yards away from them curved downwards. Above them was the brilliant night sky, brighter and more vibrant than she had ever seen living in town. In this open area without pollution or buildings, it was gorgeous. The dark black and deep purple came together to paint a masterpiece. Nathan had laid a blanket on the ground for them to sit. Sitting down with her knees drawn towards her, she looked up at the stars, her favorite thing in the entire universe. "It's absolutely beautiful," she whispered, not wanting to shatter the moment.

Too wrapped up in the stars, Mia didn't notice that Nathan wasn't looking at the sky at all. Instead, his focus was on the girl sitting next to him. He observed the wonder on her face, the twinkle in her lively eyes. "Yeah," he breathed. You are.

Mia tore her gaze from the sky to give him a smile. "Thank you for bringing me here. I thought I had seen the stars before but now I know what I've seen is nothing compared to the real thing."

"I'm happy you like the surprise. Now come on," he bumped her shoulder with his. "Tell me about them."

Mia pointed a hand at one of the shining stars. "That one's Sirius, my favorite star. It's the brightest star in the night sky." She continued to tell him about various stars, informing him of their names and the fantastical stories associated with them. He was captivated the entire time by the wonder and passion in her voice.

Nathan stood up and pulled out his phone. A classical song started to play from his phone, the orchestra playing a sweet tune. "Come on," he held a hand down to her to help her up.

"Are we leaving?" she asked in disappointment.

"Actually, I was wondering if I may have this dance?"

"I'd love to dance with you. You are quite the gentleman." Standing up, Mia placed her left hand on his shoulder, as his hand found the small of her back and pulled her closer. He held her other hand gently, and together, they started to sway. Mia rested her head on his chest as they stood on the grass, the song reaching a crescendo. They danced for the next song too. This classical song was softer, more romantic. At the end of the song, she pulled her head away from his chest, his hand still on her back and their hands still in an embrace. "Thank you for the dance. It was lovely."

He smiled at the girl in front of him, his heart beating fast as he worked up the courage to ask her a question that could shatter the moment. "Can we redo our first kiss?"

"What?"

Nathan sighed, his eyes closed in thought. He opened them and gazed into hers. "It's just, I think back to our practice kiss on the couch and think you deserve better. No, I know you deserve better. You deserve to be kissed under the stars with music that a princess would dance to." She studied him in silence, her eyebrows furrowed slightly in thought. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable-"

"I'd love that," she interrupted in a soft tone. The Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich started to play from his phone. Nathan leaned down as Mia's eyelids fluttered shut. The kiss was soft, Nathan's hand leaving hers to gently cup her face, the hand on her back pulling her closer so they were flush with each other. Mia placed her hand on his chest over his heart. His heart that was beating the fastest it ever had. Their lips moved in sync as two souls connected as one. Unlike their kiss at the party, there was no tongue, this kiss was sweet but still, the passion was present. They broke away as the song neared the end, needing air. Their foreheads rested against each other, their eyes still closed, their hearts beating faster than the song. Nathan pulled away first, his hand no longer caressing her cheek. He observed her, needing to know everything was ok. Their friendship would be ok.

"Can you continue my astronomy lesson?"

"Yeah," she replied. They sat back on the blanket. This time Nathan laid on his back to stare directly at the sky. Mia laid back too, her head on his chest as she pointed up at the stars. For another hour they stargazed in bliss.

Noticing she was getting tired, he held her hand, and together they walked back to the car. Mia fell asleep quickly but Nathan didn't mind. Taking occasional glances at her curled-up figure as he drove, he smiled at her, pleased he had been able to show her the source of her hope. As he drove her back home there was only one thought in his head as he observed the beautiful girl next to him.

So this is what falling feels like.