I Can, I Will, I Did // Vinnie Hacker

Chapter 9: Wish Upon the Stars

Laying her head on Vinnie's shoulders, Sarah closed her eyes and savoured the moment. In that cosy state, the rest of the world and its worries ceased to exist for a precious few moments. The smallest hint of his subtle cologne and she was transported to a field of daydreams. She recalled the events that took place that day, Vinnie greeting her shirtless- "god why do I keep thinking about that?" Sarah chided herself as she could feel her cheeks turning red and hot. That aroma of his cologne was as comforting as the blackest of warm summer nights, those times when you feel as if you were in God's cocoon, awaiting your time to fly.

She looked up to see the starry, starry night and smiled, feeling the wind blow her hair into a tousled mane. Stars that had lit the sky like snowflakes in the night, yet appeared still, like an old photograph. She again thought of her childhood dream to be an astronaut. What if she were out there in space, riding the limits of the known universe, they would be a choreographed blizzard? How the stars would move, the galaxies tumble and dart. But for now, with her head laying gently on Vinnie's shoulders, the starlight kept its familiar pattern. The starry, starry night watching over this tiny, quiet moment shared between Sarah and Vinnie.

There was silence between them as Vinnie too admired the stars shining as crystal white sugar spilt over an ebony black marble. The night sky was such a welcome sight, appearing like magic at each sunset, promising to return as it faded in dawn's first light. Under the sky of perfect midnight velvet, Vinnie felt the stars twinkle at him, it seemed somehow the universe was smiling at him, but why? Why did he suddenly feel peace? Eternal Serenity. The lyrics of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars' played softly in Vinnie's mind. There was something about the twinkling stars, perhaps a promise that even when we yearn for the light of the sun, there will be those stars to bring the hope of the serene dawn. It is always the light we crave, for without it what is our world? Would we become creatures of the night forever to scuttle and hide from predators, imagined or real? The light at the end of the dark hallway, the hope to escape the cruel reality. The ability to see nature and her stunning variation is a great gift to everyone.

Suddenly, Sarah slid off his shoulders and fell onto his lap, taking Vinnie by surprise. But he smiled and scooped her up with his hands holding her back and underneath her knees as he went to his bedroom where he laid her down. He slapped and patted the pillow to make sure it was comfortable and pulled up the blanket up to her chest, tucking her in. She looked so peaceful and Vinnie wanted the time to stop just right there. He did not know why or what made him do it, but he leaned forward towards her forehead and gave her a little peck, "I mean I am her friend right? Just her friend. Her... only friend." Vinnie assured himself as he pulled away and went back downstairs. He crashed on his sofa, found himself sitting on a can of coke. He aimed and threw it right smack in the dustbin.

"Slam dunk!" he whispered as he crashed back onto the sofa. Hera jumped onto his chest and purred as she closed her eyes with Vinnie tickling her chin. Vinnie thought about Sarah, he realised every night his thoughts went back to Sarah. Did he have a crush on Sarah? He laughed at the thought and shook his head. They were just friends. Friends only. Okay, maybe best friends. But just friends. Nothing between them. But why did he feel at peace with Sarah? Were they ever strangers? He was not sure they were.

That day when he first saw Sarah, there was something even then, though he did not know what. He recalled that very night when their bond was forged. Sarah dramatically shouted for him when he was walking away, asking for his name. And the arcade night he told her about his exes. And just this very day, she told him about Tessa. There was some sort of vulnerability that both only shared with each other. It was like being let into the warmth after a lifetime of winter. The reminder that you cannot pour love into an abyss. There was something in those brown eyes that was so beautiful, so safe and warm. In just one look, he knew they were going to be good friends. He had reached out to that weeping girl on the bench and made the connection. Vinnie blushed as he thought more about Sarah. Well, guess he was falling hard for the weeping girl on the bench that day. 

-------------------------------------------------------

A/N: I would say this chapter is one of my favs too. I genuinely had fun writing this because it was like a quiet moment between them yet they both felt something they had never felt. Welp! Who knew Vinnie was such a simp? Either way, there are more chapters to come and writing them makes me feel so single. Istg I feel so single writing these cute moments. Chapter 9 was kind of a filler and a build-up to their feelings. Chapter 10 is gonna be a funny chapter, that's a guarantee.  Anyways, bye loves <3 Stay safe! Tata!