Magic [W. KOURY]

nine

Beverly Hills, California
December, 1929

"Ty," the girl dressed in white cried while grabbing the boy in the black suits' elbow.

"Anna-Marie," the boy said sternly with a bit of light in his eyes.

"Don't... leave me... I can't be left... not again," the girl cried. She turned to walk away, but was stopped.

"Hey, hey, hey!" the boy whispered. He lifted the girls chin with his index finger and thumb. The girls' big, teary, brown eyes stared up at his. "I will never leave you." They kissed.

"And cut!" the director yelled.

"You are an amazing kisser, Maria Anderson," the boy laughed.

"As are you, Jessie Everett," Maria replied.

"This movie is going to turn out so well," Jessie said. He waved his hands around the set in excited movements. "I mean look at this set, it's breathtaking. It looks exactly like a real theatre."

"You're absolutely right. Have you been to the Manchester Opera House in England? It's absolutely beautiful," Maria said referring to the memory of her visit she had years ago.

Jessie moved closer to Maria. He grabbed her hand, and said, "We should definitely go sometime after all of this is filmed."

"But of course. You don't really think I'd go without an escort, do you? Oh that faces they'd make at me! How utterly humiliating," she sighed at the thought.

"I'd never want that, Miss Maria." They walked casually together to Maria's dressing room. Jessie admired the items of clothing that hung on her rack. "You know, you fascinate me," Jessie said confidently.

"Oh, I do? And why might that be?" Maria asked folding one hand over the other.

"Your taste is... before its time, and... I adore it. It's unique and special... and positively perfect."

"Oh, why thank you, Mr. Everett."

"Please, call me Jessie."

"I would, but I know my social place, Mr. Everett."

"Call me Mr. Everett when you become Mrs. Everett, and they refer to us as Mr. and Mrs."

"Is that your way of proposing to me, Jessie?" The boy nodded. "At this young age of 16?"

"That's the way it's done, isn't it?"

"I suppose it is, isn't it."

"I shall ask you again, properly, very, very soon, my love."

"I will be waiting, my dear, Jessie."

"And I will be here, my love, Maria."

------

Jessie, my dear.

Allow me to explain. As you know, Ria is not 14-15, even though that's how she appears in present day. Because of her powers of time travel and stuff, she doesn't age naturally, but controls it with her magic. So this takes place in the year 1929, and at this point in her life, she's an actress in Hollywood who's in love with her co-star. They are... 16-17 year-olds in this time frame.