Synonyms For Better

Chapter 16 - The Stars Between Us

AS WE ALL settled down on our blankets under the wide-open sky, the stars were beginning to dot the heavens. My trekking group was on one side of the huge grassy space, while other people and families were on the grass but further away. If someone looked down from the sky just then, the whole lot of us might have looked like a constellation ourselves. 

Everyone was getting comfortable, laughing and chatting as the stars began to twinkle above us. I shot Finn a look— he was casually leaning back, arms folded behind his head, a smug grin plastered on his face like he'd just won the lottery or something. 

Ugh.

He caught my glare and, of course, he grinned even wider. No sympathy. Not even a tiny, microscopic bit. 

There was a hushed blanket of awe-filled murmuring that went through our group as we finally could see the stars clearly. The clouds seemed to disappear as the night hurtled to its true form. 

And I had to start. 

Any second now. 

Ahem. I cleared my throat, wondering how I could start this buffoonery. "Is that...?" I started, pointing to a random constellation that caught my eye. 

"I think it might be that dipper one," Yumi said, studying the guide that the hotel had given us. 

But I shook my head. "Nah," I tried to ignore the slight wobble in my voice, "That is most definitely the one and only... ah, but of course... the Great Spaghetti Strainer."

Renzo burst out laughing immediately, and Jolene slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from snorting. 

Maybe I shouldn't have stuffed my face like that at dinner because clearly the way to my inspiration was through my stomach.

I pressed on, determined to get through this. "It's said that ancient chefs used to make sure their spaghetti was al dente by, um, throwing it at the stars. If it stuck, it was done. If it didn't, well... try again next millennium."

I plastered on a grin and added jazz hands for effect. Because what I'd spewed right then made absolutely. No. Sense. 

But Yumi, bless her, nodded seriously like she was learning something new and profound. "That's actually so cool. Precision cooking, even in the stars."

I smiled weakly. 

"And over there," I continued, pointing to another group of stars, "we have the... Flying Broccoli! Apparently, it was created when a bunch of health-conscious wizards decided that they needed to remind people to eat their greens. So naturally, they enchanted, um, broccoli to fly around the world, dropping into people's soups and salads." What?

"You know," Isla piped up, "there's a theory that some vegetables, like broccoli, are actually government creations to keep us docile. Like, maybe those wizards were onto something." 

"That explains a lot," Bryon said. "It's also why I only grow organic broccoli. Keeps the government out of my garden."

"Same," Abigail agreed, looking genuinely relieved.

There had to be something in the food. Like, there just had to be. 

But still, I couldn't help but laugh. Finn caught my eye, his mouth quirking up in a small smile, and I blushed, my smile widening inexplicably. 

That seemed to start something, a chain reaction of events. I was starting to relax, especially with everyone jumping in with their own stories. Edna pointed at the sky. "Over there is the Holy Hairbrush. Legend says that if you wish upon it, you'll never have a bad hair day again. It's the holy grail of hair care."