Silenced by the Night

Once in a blue moon

The cafeteria was quiet. There was no gossip or a single whisper. This must’ve been in the Guinness World Record, ‘The first time the cafeteria was quiet’ must be the title. Paige whispered something in my ear making me stand up and run to the hall.

“Whoah, whoa, whoa; relax Ellie, Nathan is just in the library so calm down”

“OK, you want me to calm down while I didn’t see him for three weeks”

“Depression, that’s too much for two twelve year olds”

She stopped for a minute and looked at the bulletin board.

“Oooh, I think Eleanor’s in love”

“Shut up”

History, Geography, Psychology, Chemistry, Aerodynamics, Agronomy, Anatomy, Anthropology, Archaeology; Paige told me he was here so where could Nathan be right now? He loves reading and mischief.

“Hey Ellie”

I turned around and saw him standing there holding three different books in his hand.

“Yeah I’ll come with you, just give me a minute to return these books”

“How long have you been in here?”

“Fifteen minutes ago; I just took these books so they won’t let me go out”

He enveloped me in a hug and dropped the books on a table.

“I’ll race you all the way to the parking lot”

“Why not Sykes”

I ran outside being ‘Shhh’ by the librarian and the students around us. Nathan followed me and suddenly taking over the lead. He was always the fast runner; Jessica approached us while we were running to the car.

“What is going on? Hi Ellie”

Jessica gave me a small wave and closed the door.

The blue duvet on Nathan’s bed was obvious that he just got out of bed and into the bathroom. He didn’t make it before leaving his room.

“Are you agreeing with staying here overnight?”

He stayed with me in my room several nights. So I think it was my turn to return what he did. Caroline can’t be that melodramatic for me not coming home this evening.

“Why not, but first question; what bed am I sleeping in?”

“You may not have been here before but I had an extender under my bed”

“That’s thoughtful”

“Can we go downstairs for dinner?”

Jessica kept bugging me about tucking her in bed. And reading her this book called ‘The Red Shoes’. Nathan was staring at the cover of the book; the girl dancing with the red shoes.

“I can already memorize this book because of me reading it for you every night”

“Yeah don’t listen to him Ellie, can you please read it for me?”

His mom went upstairs into her room and looked at me and Nathan.

“Nate, it’s past her bedtime. Just read the story”

“Oh give it”

She laid flat on her bed and tossed the covers over her.

“I’ll see you in my room after fifteen minutes”

The story reminded me of my stubbornness as a child. When my father reminded me to keep my ballet shoes but they were taken when I didn’t listen to him.

I continued reading the book while glancing at Jessica who was smiling at me after every sentence I would read.

*Twenty minutes later*

Jessica was still looking at me after I finished the book she asked me to read. I looked at her sweetly and put the book under the bed.

“Go to sleep you don’t wanna end up in Santa’s naughty list”

She buried her face in her pillow and went to sleep. Soft snores were ringing from her spot.

“Is she asleep?”

Nathan sat down beside me and looked at her. Her bright skin tone was like his. I turned to him and looked into his eyes. Our faces were inches apart, he leaned in closer still having eye contact with me.

“And you told me that I would end up in Santa’s naughty list. Even Nathan will if you kiss him”

“Go to sleep you little innocent squeaker”

She went back to sleep after I stood up and made my way to the door.

The wind was colder than the wind that was going in my window every night. The moon shining down the balcony was brighter than any light in our house. Dreams were already flying around me; forcing me to go to sleep right at this time. The view from Nathan’s house was unlike the view from ours. His mother went in the balcony and gave me a warm smile.

“Why are you still up? Don’t you have school tomorrow?”

 “I can’t sleep; I had the greatest day of my life. It wouldn’t get off my mind”

“C’mon let’s talk inside”

Her warm hand pulled me lightly inside and sat me down on the couch.

“Do you feel anything awkward?”

“Well the most feeling I never felt before was my dad being alive. And mostly love”

“Who do you feel love to?”

I didn’t know if I should tell her. I was in love with her son; my best friend and her eldest child.

“I don’t know who he is, but he really can’t make me go to sleep”

“Ellie Nathan, wake up, get up, get up!”

Jessica jumped on mine and Nathan’s bed.

“Come on kids, stand up”

I got up and shook Nathan’s shoulder so Jessica would stop head banging just to wake us up.

“OK, that’s enough Jessica, that’s enough. Nate, come on get up”

“Five more minutes”

“What time did you sleep last night?”

“Don’t be angry if I told you I was eavesdropping in yours and my mom’s conversation”

Eavesdropping again, he never changed. Since we met he always knew what I kept away from him. It’s a bit annoying but hey he’s my best friend. I accept him for what he is; he can change anytime he wants.

When will this once in a blue moon event happen again?