Page 3 of Eva Reddy’s Trip of a Lifetime
EVA can feel JONATHAN’s breath warm against her cheek. It seems almost certain he intends to kiss her. The shock and wonder of it ruptures the already tenuous connection between her brain and her mouth.
EVA
(Trying to staunch her nerves and failing miserably.)
I’ve been to a few parties. You just haven’t noticed me.
EVA looks away. She really needs to work on her casual banter.
JONATHAN
Well, if that’s the case, I have to apologise. My radar for pretty and interesting girls has obviously let me down.
(He sticks his hand out from beneath the blanket.)
I’m Jonathan Moore.
EVA
(Disappointed that kissing seems to have dropped off the agenda for the moment.)
I’m Eva.
(She shakes JONATHAN’s outstretched hand awkwardly.)
JONATHAN
(Moving in closer. He smells of beer and boy and EVA thinks she might pass out with the intoxicating thrill of it all.)
What were you thinking about before I interrupted you—staring out into space like that?
EVA
I wasn’t thinking. I was searching for Halley’s Comet.
EVA groans inwardly. She sounds like such a nerd. Someone like JONATHAN wouldn’t even know there was a comet out there. He’s the captain of the football team, not the science club.
EVA
(Digging herself into an even deeper hole.)
This comet is a big deal if you’re into astronomy, or history even. Some people think it foretells bad luck. Harold II of England was killed on the battlefield of Hastings when Halley’s Comet was overhead.
EVA is babbling but she can’t help herself. So much for tongue kissing. She is shoving fun facts about medieval history down JONATHAN’s throat instead. JONATHAN absentmindedly runs his thumb along her forearm. Her skin flares beneath his touch.
JONATHAN
(He’s smiling as though they are sharing a secret.)
True. But the comet was good luck for his opponent. William the Conqueror ended up ruling all of England.
EVA does a double take. JONATHAN is smart as well as handsome? She is losing her mind.
JONATHAN
(Putting down his beer.)
Do you want me to help you find it?
EVA
(Flustered)
Find what?
JONATHAN
Halley’s Comet.
EVA
(Draining her plastic cup of wine. She’s feeling giddy but it’s not the alcohol.)
Do you know where to look? There are a lot of stars and other bits and pieces out there.
JONATHAN
(Straightening and peering intently at the sky.)
I can give it a go. Our science teacher gave us a mud map to help us find the thing. But I haven’t tried it out yet. Comet spotting isn’t any fun on your own.
(He drags an edge of the blanket tighter around his shoulders and presses closer against her.)
Okay. First, we have to find Venus.
(He leans into her, pointing into the distance.)
Have you got it?
EVA tries to keep up with JONATHAN’s directions, but she can’t concentrate on the universe—she is too focused on JONATHAN’s thigh rubbing against hers and the way it is sending a fire through her whole body.
JONATHAN
(His lips are almost touching EVA’s neck as he whispers instructions.)
A few degrees to the left. Up a little higher. Across from that constellation.
(Finally, he jabs an index finger toward a dim light sixty million kilometres away.)
There it is! Can you see it?
EVA
(Uncertain)
I think so?
JONATHAN and EVA stare at what might or might not be Halley’s Comet.
JONATHAN
It’s just like you.
(He touches EVA’s cheek and turns her face to him.)
It’s there. It’s beautiful in a quiet way. But you need to take notice. And if you get up really close, it’s spectacular.
JONATHAN moves his head toward EVA and suddenly they are kissing.
For the first time since JONATHAN sat beside her, EVA just lets herself be.
He isn’t the unattainable football star.
She isn’t the borderline pretty nobody who writes for the school newspaper.
They are just two people who like each other.
A lot. Their mouths fit perfectly. There is no clumsy clashing of teeth or bumping of heads.
It’s as if they already know their way around one another, like dance partners who have waltzed and tangoed together all their lives.
He runs his fingers through her hair and strokes her neck and shoulders.
There was no moment … no night … so utterly perfect.
Until … from somewhere in the darkness:
RACHAEL’S VOICE
Are you serious, Eva? Really? Jonathan Moore?
EVA quickly disengages from JONATHAN. Her best friend RACHAEL is standing over her, hands on hips.
With her wild red hair teased skyward, she looks like a volcano about to erupt.
JONATHAN helps EVA to her feet. She brushes herself down.
Her shirt is slightly askew and her new jeans are covered in dirt and grass.
EVA
(Smoothing her hair down and staring daggers at RACHAEL.)
What’s wrong? I was having fun.
RACHAEL
(Drilling JONATHAN with a look of utter contempt.)
I can see that. And now we are going home.
RACHAEL grabs her friend’s hand and drags her toward the side gate.
EVA stumbles along behind, too confused to protest. Up at the house, someone hits stop on the tape deck.
The music is replaced by the sound of people grabbing keys and handbags and exchanging farewells. The party is officially over.
JONATHAN
(Shouting as EVA retreats to the driveway.)
Hey, Eva, can I call you?
EVA
(Shaking free of RACHAEL’s hand and taking a few steps back toward the garden.)
But you don’t have my number.
JONATHAN
(Blanket wrapped around him.)
I’ll find you. If I can find a comet among a gazillion stars, I can find you.
JONATHAN winks and gives EVA one of his most dazzling smiles. EVA stares back at the most beautiful boy she has ever seen, let alone kissed.
EVA
(Waving)
Thanks for helping me find Halley’s Comet.
JONATHAN
(His voice fading into the night.)
The pleasure was all mine.
CAMERA MAKES ITS LAST MOVE UP TOWARD THE STAR-FILLED SKY.
To be continued (I hope) …
But back to real life.
That really fucking happened. Jonathan Moore. Me. Kissing. Last night.
It’s like I jagged the lead role in Sixteen Candles : slightly quirky but kind of pretty girl attracts the attention of a superstar sports jock on her birthday.
Now I just wait for the call, which probably won’t come. I’ll spend the rest of my school days hiding behind lockers trying to avoid him. But he called me ‘spectacular’! Do you say that to someone you don’t intend to call?
Also—Rachael, what was that shit about?
As I said … to be continued.