31 Days

Chapter 5
27 And 26 Days to Go

"Hey guys – the meteor shower is tonight!"

Len stepped out of his dormitory. They were at camp on an island near LA, and even though it was only a few days into the program, he found himself missing Rin. They weren't supposed to have cellphones, but Len had brought his anyway, just in case. No use though. No connection. He checked it again. No bars. Sighing, he slipped it back into his pocket.

It was nearly getting dark. The stars started to appear in the clear night sky. There were no clouds, just the vast blue sky in the distance. He fingered his flashlight, then after a while turned it on. The mountains surrounding the school loomed ominously. They loomed, dark and beautiful. Len marveled at them, and then at the cool ocean breeze that was blowing on him.

"WHAT THE HELL." Ted was totally destroying the view by shining his super-bright flashlight on the hill, trying to impress Teto, his girlfriend. The flashlight made a huge circle of light. Len was blinded. A few other boys were trying to wrestle him down. There was a huge commotion behind him, and he sighed. He watched his fellow camp-members play volleyball by the beach. The wave of heartbrokenness hit him again. I wonder what would happen if Rin was here? Would we hold hands, and walk down the beach together? He looked up and saw Teto and Ted clinging onto each other, walking towards the sandy shore.

"Hm, heartbreak again?" Len felt a hand on his shoulder. Mikuo came by and sat down on the wooden bench next to him. Mikuo looked calmly at him. Being the older boy here, he began to lecture Len on how he shouldn't worry so much over Rin. Len was totally ignoring him – this was getting sorta annoying. What if Rin gets kidnapped – or worse? I shouldn't have left her at home… I wonder what she's up to right now. Probably school… "You listening?" Mikuo irritatingly tapped Len on the shoulder, and scooted a bit closer. Bad move.

"Don't scoot too much, or you'll get splinters on your butt. No fun." Len said coldly, as Mikuo sprang up and ran, howling. But when he looked up, his eyes were full of lovesickness. Break time was soon over, and the group began their night hike up to the summit of the tallest mountain. The climb up was treacherous – one step wrong and you could die. After half an hour in the dark, he finally made it up to the top. Now there was nothing but to sit there and wait.

Wish upon a falling star… boy, I hope falling meteors count.

Ten minutes later, he caught sight of the first meteor, zipping through the night sky. Well then… I wish for me and Rin to have a smooth relationship, maybe even forever. He finished wishing just as it disappeared, not to be seen again for years.

Little did he know, Rin was looking up at the same dark sky, except it was three in the morning. She had woken herself up in time to witness the meteor shower starting. Ooh – there goes the first one… Call me selfish, but when I could wish for fame, riches, and a successful life, I'll wish for Len instead. She watched the meteor trail off, and climbed back into bed, just as Len started the journey back down the hill.