Short Stories

Sky.

"A dimly lit night sky, the only source of light was the full moon. It would've been perfect if it weren't so lonely..."
Ramona read from a cheesy book online. Although she was in her bedroom, she could look and see dimly lit lights. The only brightness was from her computer screen.
"It's 1am." Ramona thought.
"I should probably go to sleep."
But she didn't, not until 4:30. Ever since Ramona was a child she stayed up reading, she liked it better at night.
"It's more dramatic, plus it's quieter." She'd always say that when anyone asked her. It was her little quirk.
The next day she was tired. Did she regret it? Not one bit.
"Good morning sleepy head."
"Oh shut up LJ." She told her best friend that morning.
"Well, tell me about what you read all night."
And she did. She rambled about the plot of the book. Truth is LJ didn't care, he just liked listening to Ramona talk.
"And then it gets cheesier! A shooting star passes by!" Ramona always hated cheesy.
"Oh I love shooting stars." LJ piped up. "-Really? I've actually never seen one." For 17 years, 28 weeks, and 4 days Ramona Elizabeth Harris had never seen a shooting star.
*
"Ramona! LJ is here," called her mother from downstairs.
She strolled down wondering what the hell was going on. She had a band T-shirt on with her most comfortable pair of pajama pants to match with it. It was Saturday night to be fair.
"Hi."
"Hi."
A few awkward moments of silence passed by before someone spoke.
"Why are you at my house?" Ramona asked. "Well, you say you'd never go with cheesy, so I thought that by surprise-asking you on a date wasn't cheesy."
"No LJ, it's pretty cheesy."
More silence.
"I'll go get some clothes on though, then we'll go." Ramona shut the door on LJ.
If we're being honest, he definitely pounded his fists in the air celebrating success.
Ramona opened the door with her nicest pair of sneakers on.
"Let's go."
LJ led Ramona to his beat-up truck. The smiles on their faces was...well beautiful.
Silence passed again, but this time it was comfortable.
"Would you like to know where we're going?"
"Surprise me LJ."
He did. LJ pulled his big red truck over on the side of the road. Out came a blanket and a picnic basket from the bed.
Ramona followed LJ up a small hill. The only thing she could do was smile like an idiot. LJ took Ramona's hand and lead her to a cliff. You could see the whole city from this spot. He placed the blanket down under a tree, the only willow tree around.
"Your favorite is on the menu tonight." LJ spoke.
"Ham and salami sandwiches?" Ramona excitedly asked.
Almost on cue, LJ pulled out two ham and salami sandwiches.
"Don't forget the sparkling apple cider." LJ said.
The two had a great time. After eating, they laid down on the blanket and talked, hand in hand.
"So wait, you never had a pet lizard in the third grade?" LJ laughed.
"No, I lied to look cooler." Ramona blushed at LJ. Good thing he couldn't see how red her face got. "If I did though, I would definitely name it Sir Jackass."
After a few moments they sat up. "You know LJ, you're doing pretty well for a cheesy date. This is more fun than it seems in the books."
"Why thank you Ms. Ramona."
"Don't ever call me that again." Ramona laughed at LJ. They packed up their picnic and got back into LJ's truck.
Ramona rolled down the window as LJ began to drive.
"A dimly lit night sky, the only source of light was the full moon. It was perfect." Ramona recited from her story. She closed her eyes as the cold night air blew across her nose.
She opened her eyes and watched the night sky. It was almost like a sign from the heavens, because there it was. After being on Earth for 17 years, 28 weeks, and 4 days, Ramona Elizabeth Harris saw a shooting star.
"LJ! Look!"
She pointed at the sky, as excited as a little kid in a candy store. The star danced across the sky as Ramona kept careful watch of where it was headed.
"A shooting star." LJ quietly spoke.
"Make a wish." His voice louder this time. Ramona closed her eyes and wished upon that star that night. LJ had one hand on the wheel and one hand intertwined with Ramona's. He kissed the back of her hand.
Everything was perfect. Ramona went home with a new found love for cheesy. Yes, although her wish eventually came true, LJ just didn't have the heart to tell Ramona it was an airplane that night.