I stir beneath the sheets, unable to sleep no matter what I try. I sigh, dragging myself out of the unfamiliar bed and then sliding on my comfortable slippers. I shake my head. Can't really weae slippers where I'm going. I sneak down the dark hallway, careful not to wake my family. If my mom caught me going outside in the middle of the night she would NOT be happy. I wince when a floorboard creaks beneath me, but I eventually make it out the door without disrupting anyone.
I take my time walking down the beach, it isn't every day I get to come here. It especially isn't every day I convince my parents to bring Nick along too! I know I shouldn't be thinking about him, it's the middle of the night. I should feel weird, creepy even, but I don't. As I approach the waves, I feel as if someone is watching me.
I spin around, kicking sand in all directions. It's Nick. "I suppose you couldn't sleep either," he declares. I nod, suddenly aware how much his presence affects me. I am frozen in place, my feet planted firmly in the sand. I can feel that I am expressionless, even though inside I am happier than I knew a person could ever be. My fingers are numb and tingly at the same time. How could I miss someone so much after only being apart for a few hours. "Don't look so nervous Jack, it's just me," says Nick with a laugh, but I can tell he's nervous too. You notice those things about people you care about. But I care about him as more than a friend, I can't deny that. Could he feel the same way about me?
"Let's uh, let's go on a walk," I stutter. Dang, he could never like someone who does such dumb things. "Sure!" Nick says, smiling. I can't help but smile back. We head towards the water and reach the point where the wet sand squishes beneath your toes. The ocean water glistens, the stars twinkle, and the seashells nearby shine. Everything is beautiful. I fall back a little so that I can see the most beautiful thing of all, Nick. Gosh, what's wrong with me? He's my best friend! But still...
"What are you thinking about Jack?" Oh boy, I can't tell him. "Well, you know," I trail off. "Cause I can't stop thinking about you," Nick said, hardly louder than a whisper. I can't control myself and shout out "Really?!" He looks embarrassed and I add "I mean, I have too honestly. I really like you Nick..." His smile is so bright it could lead me through a thousand lifetimes. Then the unthinkable happens. He grabs my hand and smiles. "I like you too, say have you ever tried stargazing?" I shake my head and the next thing I know we're lying together on the sand, shoulder-to-shoulder. We may be thousands of miles from reaching the stars, but I feel like I'm soaring above them. I rest my head against his, wishing we could stay this way forever.
