Upon the Day
By Emily Ballentine
Just another ordinary day, as they would’ve called it yesterday. But no, today’s not just some typical day where we toss back ideas; today everything changes in the blink of an eye.
Today the sun will disappear, not for long, but it’s happening. It will be long enough that I can count with just a few fingers. We call it the solar eclipse. This occurs when the moon is between the sun and the earth and the moon covers up the sun as it passes. The sky will darken while everyone’s fascinated and looking up in awe at this rare experience.
“Beatrice!!,” I hear my name being yelled at from across the room. I was awoken from my thoughts.
“Yes Alex?” I replied still trying to refocus into reality.
Everyone will scatter out to the soccer field like mice soon to see the solar eclipse, and through it all I'll have one thing on my mind, him. His name's Alex. We’re friends and have been since first grade. I’ve always felt this type of way towards him; I just don’t feel like complicating things if he feels otherwise.
“Hurry, let’s get our things and go outside!!” said Alex with a big smile on his face exposing his metal mouth. I grabbed my solar eclipse glasses and walked with him outside. Everyone else was already there gazing into the sun's eyes. It was almost to totality. Alex was behind me while I laid back on him. I figured he knew something was up, but no he hasn’t noticed yet. I don’t know if it would be a good or bad thing if he knew, but we will soon come together and I will tell him. He leans into my ear and says, “Beatrice, we need to talk.” With no expression in his voice, is it a good thing? Is it bad? chills went down my spine as all these questions rolled through my head with hesitation.
“About what...?” I asked hoping I wouldn’t regret it.
“Well, I’m into this girl, but I don’t want things to be awkward,” he said.
“Who? Just tell her if you really like her. She’s an idiot if she doesn’t like you back,” I replied.
“I like you,” Alex said quietly.
"What...?" I couldn’t speak. I was too filled with happiness to say anything, but I knew I couldn’t just leave him hanging.
“I like you too, Alex,” I said back after a long pause. It reached totality and he grabbed my hand, today everything changed. I experienced what it was like to see a solar eclipse. I experienced what it feels like to get over my fears and just let what I’ve felt for a while slip out of my mouth like air. As the moon was leaving the sun's path, the sky lightened and everyone started groaning knowing we had to go back inside and continue our day.
I was going back through the solar eclipse, thinking of the sounds and the temperature changes. Realizing how great this world is and how great it is to be alive. The day was ending, and I couldn’t wait for tomorrow. Another day, another experience.