Once In A Lifetime

Those Neon Nights

We hopped in my car and headed off to begin the day. Just like Emma said I took him to some of my favorite spots in LA, including the LA Museum of Modern Art and Amoeba Music Records. Brandon seemed entranced by it all, and would make innocent little faces at me as we walked through the the different places. I would smile back, unsure at how he felt about me.

The day went on, and as evening crept along the sky I decided to take him to my absolute favorite place in the whole world. Emma already knew, and it was tough keeping her mouth shut and not spoiling the surprise.

"So, how far away are we from it?" Brandon asked, looking at me from across the passenger seat as I drove. His eyes were pools of wonder, and I wished to sink in them forever, but then the reminder of why I couldn't came back into my mind.

"Not far, it's actually up this mountain," Emma interjected.

"Shh! Emma!" I yelled. She was getting annoying.

"What!? He probably already knows..." She snorted. I glared at her from my rear view window, and in response she leaned forward and kissed Brandon's neck from behind, in complete exaggeration and taunt.

It took everything inside me to not crash the car. Brandon responded to her with a kiss, but I sensed the smallest hint of hesitation in his voice, as he grunted his pleasure. He turned to glance at me, and after he saw my face he immediately stopped and stared straight ahead. Emma opened her eyes, their contact must have ended longer than she expected. However, she still felt satisfied with herself, and leaned back.

The rest of the drive up was quiet, and tangibly awkward. Brandon sat stiffly, and didn't look at me again. That was fine, I didn't want to see his face again. I was beginning to regret going on this whole trip, and taking him to my favorite place in the world. My stomach was growling, and I had a strong urge to turn around and call it off.

But then we turned the corner, and we saw it. Griffith Observatory. High above LA, you could see literally for miles on the hill. I awed at the sight as we approached, and then I slyly glanced at Brandon's direction, to see his reaction. He looked starstruck. His mouth was slightly parted, his eyebrows were raised high. His crystal brown eyes sparkled in the sight of the lights, and his smooth skin glistened. He looked at me, and for that moment I wanted to just lean over and kiss him, feel his tender lips on mine, and relive that amazing moment near the fountain again. My mind had another plan, and then realizations of the reality of our relationship returned and slapped me hard. My smile dissipated, and I turned to look back at the road. Brandon sensed the shift, and moved his hand to the edge of my shoulder, "Hey, are you okay?"

I fidgeted slightly, "Yeah, I'm fine."

He continued looking at me, and his pensive eyes continued seeing through my act. I want to melt under him, but I had to stay strong, and not give myself up.

We drove into the parking lot, and after paying the fare, we stepped out and made our way to the actual observatory. A long, beautiful green field covered the front do the observatory, and now that it was the evening there were amateur and professional telescopes set up all over the field. Hundreds of people were passing by, inspecting a telescope, peering into its eyepiece, and after seeing a glimpse of space would move on to the next one. This was one of my favorite things in the world, and I eagerly rushed to reach them. Brandon saw my excitement, and as we walked he grinned at me, and said, "You really like this place, huh?"

I got out of my daze, and looked at him, "Yeah, I told you it's my favorite place in the world."

He turned to admire the place again, "Yeah, it's beautiful."

I smiled mischievously, "You haven't seen the best view yet."

We walked through the countless rows of telescopes, looking occasionally looking inside them to glance at the wonder of the sky.

"I've never done this before," Brandon nudged at me as we walked.

"Really? I've been doing this ever since I was little, my parents used to take me here all the time. I could be up here forever."

Brandon looked at me intently, with a fantasy in his mind, and subconsciously whispered, "I'd like that too."

There it was. The small hint of a reality which I could not have. I know his remarks were genuine, but the fact that he was still with Emma made me sick. I didn't know how to react, the currents of emotions running through my body was overwhelming. Instead, I simply smiled back at him, "You're such a tease."

"Why?" He sincerely asked. Emma was not with us at the moment, she had probably gone to look at a telescope.

I didn't know how to respond, whether I should be truthful and destroy the chance of ever being with him, or not and continue this game of indirect torture that we played. He sensed my feelings of conflict inside me, and wrapped his muscular arm around me.

"Hey, it's okay, you don't have to answer that yet." He grinned, taking away all the anxiety from me. I smiled back, and the thought of why I took him here returned to me.

"Oh! I need to take you somewhere!" I exclaimed. He giggled at my sudden excitement, then said, "Where to, darlin?"

I grabbed his hand, ignoring the rush of energy flowing through us, and marched our way towards the actual observatory. The prodigious some towered above us as we entered, but that wasn't where I was taking him.

Brandon looked around at everything as we quickly passed through, "Wait, aren't we going to see all this?"

"No, that's not the best part." I told him. He squeezed my hand gently, and out of the corner of my eye I knew what he was saying.

We passed through the center of the building, to the back of it. Griffith hangs directly over a cliff, and on most nights, if there isn't any fog, a wonderful sight awaits.

We arrived at the entrance to the view, and before we opened the door I stopped him.

"Close your eyes," I said.

He giggled, "Why?" He asked innocently.

"If you don't you'll ruin the surprise," I smiled. He looked at me up and down, and without a word he placed his hands on his eyes. I peered closely to them to make sure that he wasn't cheating, and sure enough he wasn't.

With anticipation rushing through me I turned around and opens the big brass doors. As I opened them a flood of light poured through, and I was home. I grabbed Brandon's biceps and slowly guided him through to the spot.

The world shined around us, an entire valley of life and light. When I finally placed him to the spot, I whispered, "Okay, open your eyes."

He slowly moved his hands away, and as I saw those hazel eyes take in the sight I melted. His soft expression turned into awe, and his gorgeous mouth formed a large Oh as he took it in. I'd never felt so excited in my life, and in the rush of energy I felt I ran at him and hugged him. He took me in, wrapped his lean arms around me, and I felt safe.

"This is beautiful, Jules." He whispered, a soft secret he never wanted to share with anyone but me.

I lifted my head and gazed at him. We were mere centimeters apart, his eyes seemed even bigger this close, and his lips curved intimately into a smile. I wanted to stay there, forget the whole entanglement of events that kept us apart for all this time, and stay in his arms. He licked his lips, and with a sudden move, kissed me. I gave in, fully alive at that moment, and returned to the soft place of warmth that I found in Brandon, oblivious to all the danger around us. He felt it too, and as we kissed he grabbed me harder, closer to him. I did the same, and underneath the chandelier of stars and atmosphere, I loved Brandon.