It's only a couple of weeks left until summer ends and you want to seize every moment. That's why you stay up late, watch films, play volleyball with your friends, jump in the pool at midnight or sleep on your friend's trampoline.
You decided to leave the volleyball court behind you a little earlier than usual, at only 11 pm. You had planned to stay up all night watching stars with your friend. You go to the secret meeting spot you and your friend always used to hang out. You get comfortable on the blanket you two had prepared for the night and go into the tent to get some snacks. You wait and wait, your friend should be here by now! You don't worry about it, she is always late.
She finally shows up, when there is almost no crisps left in the bowl.
''Hey,'' she says as she's walking up to you.
''You're late,'' you reply
''Sorry, sorry, but I brought candy so you won't be too mad ...?'' she says carefully.
You act contemplating for a moment before saying: ''Well you know I couldn't stay mad at you for too long!'', take the candy bag from her hand and put it in the tent on the horrifically big pile of snacks that was already lying there. Meanwhile your friend lies on the blanket and you open another bag of crisps. You lie there quietly until your friend breaks the silence, telling you all about her wonderfully spent week. Parties, boys, drinks meanwhile you were inside, cuddling with your blanket and pillows, watching your favourite films for the millionth time. You don't mind listening to her, you are already used to the fact that she always talks about her social life, the one thing you know you lack.
''And what did you do this week?'' she asks after a long monologue she had just finished.
''You know, just the usual, movies until 3 am, but I did go skinny dipping in our pool the other night. And I go play volleyball every day, so, I enhanced my social life a little bit.'' you say proudly.
''Good for you!'' she says with fake excitement and you frown at her. ''All I'm saying is that, if you want him to be with you, you can't stay like this, no offence. He's just a dick. And he likes party girls. Girls who wear a lot of make up and get drunk at parties.''
You look up in the sky while realising that what she said was, sadly, in fact true. You nod and she hugs you. ''You can do so much better than that prick. Why don't you just let him go, because you deserve better.''
''It's harder than it sounds. Believe me, I've tried. And failed. A lot.'' you say, your eyes still locked on the stars.
''I know! Come with me to the next party and I'll find you someone,'' she enthusiastically proposes. You think for a minute about it and then decide that it's about time you did something about your love life. You agree with her and you both once again look up in the sky.
Suddenly a phone starts ringing. Although it's your friend's, she gets scared by the tune and screams, scaring you. She snaps out of it and answers the call. It turns out it's her mother telling her she forgot her sleeping bag. You laugh quietly at her for forgetting the one essential thing you needed besides snacks. She pleads and pleads, but you insist you will not go with her. After a few long minutes of arguing she finally leaves you alone and goes home to get her sleeping bag. You lie down and focus on the stars, enjoying the darkness. Alone with your thoughts, or so you think, you breathe the cold, fresh air and think about how this is basically the best thing that has ever happened to you.
You're starting to drift off, so you get up to take a walk, hoping it will wake you up. You take a few steps and then you see a dark silhouette a few meters ahead. You feel your heart beat fasten as you quickly step back to the tent. It's probably nothing. Just a tree or something that looks like a person because it's dark, you tell yourself. Oh, we have salt! you remember. You kneel, not taking your eyes off of the silhouette in front of you and search for a bag of salt you two brought to secure yourselves from creatures that might come haunt you at some point of the night. You find it and grip it tight with your hand, so you won't lose it.
''Who's there?'' you ask, preparing yourself to throw salt at the shadow if it didn't give you an answer.
''Um, it's Richard.'' you hear a familiar voice. You panic and quickly throw salt back in the tent, so he won't think you're some supernatural-obsessed freak.
''Hey,'' you manage to say.
''Is this y/n?'' you hear the voice again and nod, then realising he probably didn't see and say a quick yes.
''Cool,'' he says and the rest of his way he makes in awkward silence.
''What are you doing here?'' you force yourself to say.
''I got lost on the way home because I didn't have a torchlight. And you?'' he says casually.
You reply: ''Me and my friend are having a stargazing night.''
''Cool,'' he nods and looks up at the sky. ''I've actually never been able to see Ursa Minor. Can you help me out?''
''Sure. First you have to find Ursa Major. You see it, right?'' you ask.
''Yea, no.'' he says and shakes his head while you let a sigh escape your mouth. ''Okay.''
You move towards him and stop right before your bodies should touch. He looks down at you and you smile at him. Then you stretch your arm and point to a group of stars. ''You see those for stars in the shape of, let's say a crooked rectangle?'' He nods and you continue with the explanation: ''Good, now you see the three stars about as bright as them? They are creating a line from the top left corner of the rectangle.'' You move your finger accordingly to the stars you describe.
You see his face brighten up and a smile creeping on his lips. He asks happily: ''So that's the Ursa Major constellation?'' and looks at you. ''Yes, yes, that's it!'' you answer proudly. You've just shared your wisdom and that made you feel very good about yourself. ''So now, where's the little one?'' Richard asks enthusiastically and you laugh at his childish wish to learn. ''Okay. You take the length of the right side of the rectangle. No, the back of the 'wagon'.'' He interrupts: ''What wagon?'' and laughs at you.
''You don't think it looks like a wagon?''
Richard looks up and ponders your idea for a second. He then says: ''Yea, you're right. It does look like some kind of a weird wagon ...''
''Okay then you see the back side?'' ''Yes, I do,'' he tells you.
''Good. Take its length and imagine you see the length fivefold. The star you come to is the beginning of the Ursa Minor. Now just look around for the rest.'' you explain.
He looks confused and you start apologising: ''Sorry, I'm a terrible teacher. I don't know how to explain stuff ...'' when his face shows a smile, meaning he found it. ''Oh my God, I found it! I found it! This is the best night ever! Thank you,'' he turns to you ''Thank you. No one else could get me to see it.'' You blush and say shyly: ''I'm glad I could help.''
Richard smiles and hugs you tight. You are surprised, but don't reject it. This is what you've dreamt about for so long.
He loosens the hug only to look you in the eyes and slowly, softly kisses you. You feel melting on the inside and you almost collapse because your knees don't seem to work as they should any more. He feels that and strongly grips you with his hands: ''Wow, don't you fall down now. I have plans concerning you.''
You stand up and smile nervously.
''What are you doing here?'' you say.
''I got l...'' you give him a questioning look. He sighs, smiles and continues: ''I saw your friend walk pass me. I figured you might be here.''
He sees you smile and that encourages him to add: ''I came to see you.''
''But I thought you only dated party girls,'' you say while gazing in his eyes.
He smiles and says: ''Why don't you know, you are the only one who makes my heart party.''
