The Moon, The Stars, and Him

Chapter 1

Betty's Mother:

"When the night has come and the the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No, I won't be afraid, oh I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand by me"

The melody of the song hummed through the air of the familiar basement. The windows were cracked, allowing the September chill to sweep through. The breeze lightly fluttered the polaroids hanging loosely from string around the room. Some from the ceiling, others draped around the window. Each image captured a memory that I hope to remember forever, even when my skin is rotting and hair has turned gray. Birthdays, romantic dates, and other happy moments. My favorite one being the picture taken of us sitting on the hood of his car, looking out into the only city i've ever called home. Even though it was pouring rain, I didn't mind one bit. Because in the moment, all that mattered was being with him. We shared many laughs and happy stories that night. Now reminiscing, I think it's safe to say that I truly fell in love with him. Right there on the hood of his car, drenched.

"So darling, darling stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand, by me
Stand by me"

I look over to my right and spot the black haired goofball that I have grown to love for the past year and a half. He was sitting on the dingey beige couch in my basement. His gaze catches mine, and I find myself mesmerized by his coffee colored eyes. He has always been insecure about them, but I found them to be quite lovely.

"If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no, I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me"

"How did I get so lucky to have you?" I say sweetly.
"I should be asking myself the exact same question." his low voice hums.
A small smirk graces his lips, and butterflies flutter in my stomach.

Before I know it, I am sitting next to him and our faces are centimeters away. We stare longingly at each other's lips, waiting to see who was going to close the distance first. He leans over and electricity sparks between us. God I could never get over this feeling. His warm and inviting trance takes over me and the kiss becomes passionate, our hunger for each other intensifies. My mind goes numb and all I can focus on is him. I snap and suddenly pull back, not wanting to get carried away, remembering that my parents were right above us upstairs.

His hands smooth over the wool of my hand knitted cardigan. The one I knitted only a few weeks ago. I was in no way an expert at anything crafty, but for one of my first projects, I would say it's not too bad.

"Unfortunately, I really should get going." Scott says. "I still have that essay for Mr. Pines class due in the morning, and you know how your parents are with us."
"Ah yes, the love hating monsters. But only three more months and we will both be out of this shitty town. Just you, me, and our tiny New York city apartment. But of course the size won't matter, all that will is that we can finally be alone, just the two of us against the world." I offer those words of encouragement.

"Quite frankly that is the only thing getting me through the rest of this year. I love you Steph."

"I love you too Scotty. Now hurry up through the window, we wouldn't want a repeat of last week."

"No we certainly don't. Your father definitely has a way with words."

"I know such a sweetheart he can be. Careful not to scratch yourself on the thorn bushes." Thank god this was a ground level basement. Otherwise we would be trapped down here and risk getting caught by my strict parents.

I will never understand what they have against young teenage love. I mean who was I kidding, they were high school sweethearts for Christ's sake. Sure Scott wasn't the best influence on me, but who was I to care? He was the only one in this snooze fest of a town that could truly make me feel alive. He understood what it was like to feel like the whole world was against you, and exactly how to make me feel better when those feelings would occur.

Rooftops. That was our thing. At night we would lay on the roof connected to his bedroom and stare at the night sky together. Only at night, because we could both agree that night time was the most freeing. When the whole world was asleep, that was when anything seemed possible.

No responsibilities or obligations. No parents telling what to do. At night was pretty much the only time we could see each other. With my ridiculously strict parents, I would sneak out my bedroom window, praying that I wouldn't get caught.

I have no clue what I would do without him. I try not to think of a world where he is gone. It hurts too much to imagine.

I bring myself back out of my mind, and see that Scott is already out the window. "Goodnight, I love you my moon." I whisper softly.

"Goodnight my star." He replies.

Our lips meet one last time. When we kiss it seems that all reality melts away, and time stops for a moment.

And before I knew it, he was walking out into the night.

I never needed anything else, just the moon, the stars, and him.