Shooting Star

Young Love on a Summer's Eve

Randell and Sandra lie together on the hill, gazing up at the sparkling sky. Sandra loved these summer nights. The air was warm on her skin, and a light breeze caressed her face. The crickets sang a loud but harmonious tune from their hiding spots in the trees. Were they crickets, or tree frogs? She wasn't sure but Randell would know, she thought. The firm earth under her back, cooling from the lack of sun, embraced her and made her feel at home.

She stole an affectionate glance toward Randell, smiling as she saw his face. He watched the sky intensely, studying, always thinking. He was the smartest boy she knew. He wasn't as tall or strong as a lot of the boys in her school. But when he put his arms around her, she felt safe.

"Randell, look!" she said, "A falling star." A flickering light arced above them, soaring for a few long seconds before fizzling out.

"You know," he replied. "It isn't actually a star. It's a meteor. We learned that in our fourth-grade science book. Can you imagine if the stars could actually fall?"

Of course she knew that. She tried to hide her disappointment, but it must have shown in her eyes as he watched her.

"But I also read somewhere that if you make a wish on a falling star, it will come true," he said, tenderly replacing a strand of hair that had fallen over her eyes.

It made her heart flutter, and she snuggled closer. There is hope for him after all, she thought. Closing her eyes, she replayed the shining meteor in her mind and made her wish. A wish she wouldn't tell, at least for now.

Word Count: 287