Fly Me To The Moon

By: Natalie Chan

It was a beautiful, clear night. As always, the still lake water reflected the starry heavens. Everything was washed pitch black, with twinkling points of light scattered all over. The whole of the Milky Way proudly stretched over the sky and water- the view was enchanting. The peaceful quiet reached into your head, settling your raging thoughts like sand sinking to the bottom of a pond. The lake water gently tickled your feet, cool and inviting.

'Wow.. it's beautiful.' you whispered to yourself. The thought of viewing it with him crossed your mind briefly, and you felt your lips tug up at the idea. Smiling, you spin around as if someone was calling you from behind. Your long locks tossed up gently, framing your face. A faint blush painted the tips of your ears when you saw him walking out of the house. Unconsciously, your smile grew wider.

You called his name, sending a flutter through your chest. His gaze locked onto yours, and he smiled just as you did.

He said your name in reply, walking over to you. Your eyes never left him as he stood beside you, the cool night wind caressing his hair. The stars illuminated his features slightly, though his golden eyes seemed to be glowing on their own. Content, you leaned slightly on his shoulder, intertwining your hands.

"The stars are beautiful tonight', you stated. I hesitantly stare at the openness that is the sky, words piling up in your head.

He tilted his head up. 'They are.'

"Why did you leave?' you inquired, addressing the elephant in the room.

'I can't say.'

"Why not?' you ask, untwining your fingers. 'I was worried sick, with only a note on the table. I thought you didn't want to stay with me anymore. i thought I wasn't good enough, I thought you didn't care- ' your breathing hitched, tears brimming in your eyes from the knife of pain that stabbed you from the mere memory of it.

'I do care.' he says softly. 'You’ve made me care, about none other than you, which is why I came back to you as soon as possible.'

ah. Something pulled—hard—in you. Your heart thundered in your ears at the words.

The feeling had built up in you for so long, there was so much of it. You almost choked on it- you couldn't lock it up any longer.

'You're more beautiful than the stars above us.'

Everything in you screamed at you to touch him, be near him, hear his voice, and say his name in return.

He wraps his hands around yours, holding them up lovingly between you.

"So don't ever think for a second that you're anything less than seraphic.'

You're the most beautiful one in the world, you think with absolute certainty, eyes pinned on him. The air felt all too warm.

He surged forward and ever so slightly brushed his lips against your cheek, leaving as quickly as he came. You sucked in a breath—

A whole night's worth of fireworks, in the form of joy and ecstacy, and the feeling that made your heart leap and ache for him at the same time, lit you up from inside in the best way possible. The feeling growing the closer you got to him.

His fingers intertwined with yours, another hand around your back. The distance between you was all too apparent now—inches of air you could practically feel. his touch felt so sensitive—your skin detecting every press of his fingers on your back, blood pounding where his fingers brushed yours.

I love you.

I love you too.

the words pounding in your head, fighting to get out. They blocked your throat with it. You wanted to. You wanted to say it so much.

he leaned closer, your heart skipping a few beats. His warm breath caressed your skin. a kiss, right on the corner of your lips. Your heart thundered in your ears at the closeness.

‘Is this okay?'

God, it was more than okay.

You desperately wanted more.

You look up at him, the stars reflecting in your eyes. ‘You make my heart feel like it’s flying all the way to the moon’, you whisper. You move forward to touch him, show him of your raging desire for him, only him—

Your foot slipped on a smooth pebble half buried in the wet, sandy lakeshore.

The world seemed to freeze as your heart fell. Your hands grasped his shoulders, as a source of steadiness. Your head fell on his shoulder.

A hug.

His arm circled around you, pressing you closer, and yours around his neck.

"Are you okay?' he asked.

‘Yes,' you couldn't hide the disappointment in your voice.

You stayed like that, talking long into the night in his embrace, feeling warm and protected. Neither of you dared to disturb the peace.

Minutes? hours? None of you cared to keep track of the time as you both relished each other's company.