The Last Summer

nights

The world was coming to its end.

The stars above Julia twinkled like tiny flames scattered across a large canvas. She could name the constellations as easily as she could recite the alphabet, and she traced them with her finger, muttering the names under her breath.

They were the same patterns the ancients had seen when they had looked up, and now that the world was ending, Julia liked to think that even after everything was unrecognizable, those patterns would still be up there, reminding her that there were some constants in this changing world.

Julia sighed. Everything was changing too fast though, and so much was being taken away from her. Tonight was her last chance to sneak up here. Tomorrow, they would have to move to the underground bunkers, and most exits would be sealed for their safety.

She placed her glove-clad hands inside her pockets and shivered despite the thick fur coat she had on. She came up here to mourn her past life, but even her sanctuary had become a place she could not recognize. Frost covered the railing, and snow blanketed the cement floor. When she looked below, she could no longer see the abandoned city. All she could identify was white, and the color stretched out for miles.

"I knew I'd find you here."

Julia startled at the sound of the voice. She was so engrossed in her thoughts she did not hear anyone approach. She glanced at her right, and sure enough, Rome was there.

"I wanted to come here one last time," Julia said the words carefully as if Rome was easily startled prey. With everything that had happened yesterday, she did not know how to act around him. She swallowed and then decided to ask the question she had been keeping to herself. "Do you think we'll survive?"

"I think," Rome said, "that we have a good chance, but there's a lot we don't know. I mean, what if we run out of food or water? What if the underground is not enough to keep us safe?"

He looked away from her. "That's why I'm here," he said. "I haven't forgiven you yet, but if these might be our last days, I want to spend them with you."

The words warmed Julia's heart. Perhaps the chasm that had appeared between them was not as deep and as insurmountable as she had thought, and maybe the wounds that she had inflicted on their relationship were not fatal after all.

"I missed you," Julia said.

"I missed you, too." Rome looked at her, and the ghost of a smile appeared on his lips. Snow began to fall, and with a background of ice and chill, he held out his hand to her.

She placed her hand on his, and they stood like that for some time, connected despite the rocky relationship they had. Julia felt hopeful. They were far from being alright, but at that moment, Julia felt like she was just Julia and Rome was just Rome. For a second, they shed the identities their families had given them and left behind the responsibilities that were thrust upon them.

They did not really know what the world was going to throw at them. Perhaps whatever it was would be too much, would be something they could not survive, but as Julia looked at the night sky for one final time, she felt that maybe – just maybe – everything will turn out fine.