Moonsland (EN)

Emily (VIII)

  I call James into my room to show him the script for my next play, as he had asked me to do at dinner. I'm excited about it myself. We've been practicing exhaustively in Performing Arts class to present it to the whole school. While he effusively reads the script, I go up to the roof to enjoy the stars, as I love to do.
  A long time later, James appears on the roof, without me expecting it, and I jump up and say:
- You shouldn't be here, James. I never let anyone come here.
- I'm sorry, since you didn't answer me, I came to see if everything was all right. - He justifies himself.
- I didn't hear, I was here in my thoughts. - I say.
- But if you want, I'll leave, no problem.
- No! I mean, there's no point in leaving now that you're here. - I'm trying to correct myself. I shouldn't, since I hardly know you, but I feel it's the right thing to do.
- Then I'll sit here. - Sit next to me. - I've read it all. It's huge!
- Yes, we're all used to smaller parts, in fact. So much so that no one wants to play the lead. They say they don't feel ready. - I roll my eyes.
- I can understand it if you've never done anything like it before. But the part I liked the most was at the end, when the main characters get closer... - He starts to bring his face closer to mine and to alternate between looking into my eyes and into my mouth. - ... very close to each other slowly and...
  Just as James is about to kiss me, we hear a knock on the door.
- Emily? Can I come in?
It's my mother. Now I'm screwed, she can't see us here.
- Quickly get inside and pretend you're doing something. - I whisper to James, as quickly as possible. - Yes, Mom! Two seconds! - I shout.
As we sit down, my mother walks into the room with her eyes closed and asks:
- Are you dressed? I don't see anything, I promise.
I feel myself blushing and I answer:
- Oh, Mom! Stop embarrassing me and open your eyes. We were just talking here. We didn't do anything. - I feel myself blushing even more.
- Yes, Mrs. Castle. I was just getting ready to give you this. - she says, and takes a box out of her pocket.
- I'm sorry, then. I just came to say that it's getting late and if James isn't going to sleep over, I don't mind if he does... - Winks at James. - ... I'd better get going because it's dangerous to drive at this hour. And, child, the book you're 'reading' is upside down. - he says, smiling. I opened the book backwards in my haste. I'm so stupid.
  He leaves the room and I open the box, as if nothing had happened, and inside is a beautiful necklace with the moon and stars around it.
- I said I didn't bring anything for you to surprise you and I took advantage of the fact that I needed to get us out of it and gave it to you now. - he clarifies.
- Wow, thank you James. It's beautiful. - I say, still surprised.
  Shortly afterwards, at the door of my house, I say goodbye to James and he looks up at the sky, now a little cloudy, and says:
- The moon is beautiful.
He kisses me on the cheek almost touching my lips, winks at me and gets into the car.
I have no reaction to what has just happened.
  Does he know what it means?