Kairos

Chapter four - orbit

They had eventually come to the subject of middle names. Reuben had told Halley his, it was Venn. Much to Halley's embarrassment, she also discovered his surname.

Reuben Venn Hansen.

She tested the name out loud. Reuben always thought his full name was ridiculous, but from Halley's mouth, it sounded almost regal.

Halley laughed, "your name sounds as if you could be a count, or duke of some sort."

"Shh, don't tell anyone." Reuben whispered, winking at her, making her laugh.

Reuben then asked what Halley's middle name was. Of course, it wouldn't be Halley if she didn't make him guess first.

Mischief and amusement glittered in her sea green eyes, as Reuben became increasingly more frustrated with every wrong guess.

Eventually, Halley ended his misery. "Fine, I'll tell you. But don't laugh!"

"It can't be worse than mine, Halley."

Halley released a sigh, "my full name, is Halley Kometa Jones."

"Wait, so your name-"

"Yes, yes. My parents are science enthusiasts, and decided to name their poor child after 'Halley's Comet'. It's dumb."
Halley sounded tired, as if she's recited the sentence countless times before.

"It's not dumb, I love it."

Halley smiled. Reuben blushed.

"So do you like astrology too?" Reuben asked, hastily changing the subject.

Her eyes widened with excitement. "I love astrology. It's the only topic I pay attention to in physics. I also have a cool party trick."

"What's that?"

"I can draw and recognise forty-two constellations off by heart." Halley said proudly. "What about you?"

"Only forty-two?" Reuben challenged.
Halley smirked and crossed her arms."Alright hot-shot, how many do you know?"

"Sixty-three." Reuben shrugged.

"Prove it."

And so, they lay on their backs, pointing out all the constellations they could find, recalling the myths and legends behind them.

After a while, Halley let Reuben take over. It was obvious he was passionate about the stars and constellations; he had something fascinating to say about every one of them. She was perfectly content listening to him talk, as the stars twinkled above her.

Halley decided that the uneven sand beneath her head was very uncomfortable; so she shifted herself, so that her head was resting on Reuben's chest.

Reuben's sentence stopped short, and his breathing hitched. He was frozen, unsure of what to do. It wasn't that Reuben was uncomfortable with Halley's action, but having never been in a situation like that before, he was naturally shocked.

Halley lifted her head, sensing his discomfort. She mentally scolded herself for ruining the moment. "Sorry, Reuben. I-"

"No, no. It's fine I was just..." Reuben rubbed his blushing neck, in pure embarrassment.

Halley smiled kindly. "It's ok, I know", she said, and lay her head back down on his chest.

Hesitantly, Reuben threaded his arm under her back to her shoulder, and brought her even closer to him.

"So, what were you saying about the Big Dipper?" Halley prompted.

Reuben cleared his throat, and continued his explanation, as if nothing had happened.

***

Orbit: the regularly repeated elliptical course of a celestial object about a star or planet.