Stars.

I gazed up at the cloudy sky, willing the clouds to part, to allow me a glimpse of the beautiful stars. Anger spread through me; how could the stars be blocked by something so unsightly? Those damn grey, shapeless clouds. When would they disappear? I had only ever seen the stars once before; I was captivated. Huge glowing balls of fire, some miles across, some smaller, but viewed from such a distance that they all were brought together in one magical picture. And as I strolled through the park, I failed to notice all the people who avoided me, failed to notice all the shouts of annoyance; I was lost in the vision I could not see. Not once did my sight leave the clouds that angered me so much. I pleaded with anything that would hear me, wishing that something would dissipate the clouds. In fact, so obsessed with this vision was I, that I could not stop myself from walking straight into a pile of wet cement. Cursing the beauty of the stars, I removed my feet from the cement, to the jeers of the now growing crowd.

“Piss off” I said, to both the people and to the clouds that blocked those beautiful stars.

“Hey, there was no need for that.”

“There was no need to laugh at me.” And then I looked at her.

She looked demurely at the ground for a second, before lifting her head and gazing into my eyes. How I wish that second would have lasted forever. I remember nothing specific about that moment, and I could not have described anything about her if I had never seen her again. All I can remember now is the feeling. I could hear nothing but the sound of her breathing, but in my mind’s ear, I heard rapturous music playing. What it was, I cannot recall. All I could smell was her perfume, a beautiful, intoxicating aroma. I saw long black hair, framing her face like the world’s most beautiful border. And I felt numb. With such a beauty before me, I didn’t know what to do. And she spoke.

“I wasn’t. If anything, I felt pity for your plight. I still do. Can I help you in any way?”

Here was a woman, so beautiful, offering me help. What could I do but accept?

“Thanks.”

And so we walked through the park, the cement on my shoes slowly drying, and again I walked, not heeding the people around me, or any dangers before me, such as cement. However, this time my gaze was not directed upwards. It was directed at the wonderful entity beside me. Finally, I saw her face, I saw her eyes. And I could look at nothing else. They were a deep, rich blue. It was like looking at the two most beautiful sapphires in existence. And I know that that sounds like such a cliché, but I do not have the ability or the words to describe them. I could not hold her gaze for long. And as I sit here now, I wish I could have held her gaze for longer. I should not have ever looked away.

I do not know what she was thinking as we walked beneath the clouds. She said nothing, and as I asked her name, she looked up quickly, as if coming out a trance.

“Sorry? Could you repeat that?”

“No problem. I asked you what your name was.”

“Oh! I’m sorry”, she said, and as she did, she touched my arm. How I wish I was not wearing an overcoat. I wish I could’ve felt her touch on my skin. “My name is Sarah.”

And once again, she looked down at the ground again. For what reason I do not know. I still could not take my eyes off her. From her jet black hair, to her beautiful blue eyes… a man could get lost in them. Indeed, I was lost in them right there, walking in the park. But I could not catch any view of them, for she still looked down at the ground. Every so often she would glance up at me, and I would look away, abashed, ashamed even, that she caught me looking at her. I was not worthy of even walking within five feet of this beautiful creature. But every time she looked down at the ground again, my gaze was up, and I continued to stare. So entranced was I, that I had to almost rise from a beautiful coma to answer her question.

“I’m Anthony.”

“Anthony… what a pretty name.”

And my mouth dropped open. I couldn’t believe it! Here was I, walking in a park with a beautiful woman, and she was complimenting me on my name. It was turning into an unforgettable night.

I blushed, my face turning a deep crimson. I managed to stutter “Thank you.”

And she smiled.

What a smile it was. Her perfect teeth, surrounded by soft, red lips; suddenly all I wanted was to take her and kiss her there, beneath the clouds. But I couldn’t. I would have disgraced such an angel. It would have been a cardinal sin. However, I did take a little of the initiative.

“Nowhere near as beautiful as Sarah. Or indeed, nowhere near as beautiful as you.”

And she looked at me, straight into my eyes. It was like the reverse of my reaction to my compliment, as she was the reverse of me, my opposite. She was so beautiful, so delicate, so graceful; compared to me, so coarse, so dull, so rough.

And she captured me. All of me. It hasn’t happened since, and will probably never happen again. She looked into my green eyes, and I didn’t dare to break her gaze. Such a beautiful creature. We stood there, alone in the centre of the park. I will never forget that moment, there, so long ago now. People probably walked around us, as we stood there, barely a foot apart, yet the distance seemed much larger. I felt as far from her as I felt from the stars so long ago.

Surprisingly, the clouds parted, and would’ve allowed me my second glance at the majestic stars, had I not been so obsessed with Sarah, who turned away from my gaze, and continued walking.

“Thanks. Oh, are you coming?”

I woke again from that beautiful coma, and said “Of course. Sorry.”

“Why?”

“I…I don’t know. I guess I was lost in you.” Finally, I was being honest, as much as it scared me.

She looked at me once again, but I couldn’t look back. I don’t know what she was trying to do. Maybe she was trying to figure me out. I cannot think of any other explanation. But anyway, we continued to walk. Neither of us had thought about our destination, but we had left the park. If I remember right, we were walking along the road leading out of the small town, barely keeping to the miniature pavement.

Finally she said “Thanks.”, whilst again looking demurely at the ground.

I stopped, and hugely daring stopped her by, as gently as possible, putting my hand on her arm.

“Look at me.”

And she did. In such a sweet, pure voice, she said softly “Yes?”

As if treating a porcelain doll, I lifted her gaze from the ground. And she continued to look upwards, up at the stars that I used to find so beautiful. I saw where she was looking, and I looked up at the clouds I thought were there. Instead, I saw the stars, all of them, twinkling, as if they were winking at me. However, all of my love for them had gone, and had passed to the brilliant entity beside me. Finally, I plucked up all my courage, and brought her close to me. Moving in perfect unison, we advanced towards each other’s lips. And we kissed.

You would not believe how wonderful that kiss was. Remember how I described the first time I looked at her, for that split second? Imagine the pleasure of that increased a hundredfold, and you’re somewhere close to what I felt there. It lasted for maybe a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity and an instant at the same time. I know I don’t have the words to describe the feeling, but I’ll know what I felt for the rest of my life. Hopefully, your wildest dreams can comprehend how lucky I was to be in that situation.

And we walked on, down the road that led out of town. I could not remove a faint smile from my lips. I could still taste her on my lips, and as I looked at her, once again looking demurely down at the ground again, I reached out and took her hand in mine. I was so afraid that she would reject me. I was still in disbelief. I couldn’t believe she was anywhere near me.

We walked down the road, hand in hand. We stopped again on an old stone bridge. I still don’t know what she was thinking, but suddenly, she let go of my hand, and ran. She did not stop running until she had gone beyond my sight. And I could do nothing. I was frozen, powerless, numb; but this time, numb with pain.

I had lost what I thought I had forever. We had only been together for maybe half an hour, but it felt as if my life had passed me by. And I leaned on the bridge, and looked down into the water. I saw the reflection of the stars in the clear water, so I once more looked up at the stars which used to captivate me so.

And in the vast pattern of beautiful lights, all I could see was her.

Sarah.