Progression

David tried to ignore the incessant tapping on his window, squeezing his eyes closed and rolling towards the wall. Cracking one bleary eye, David squinted at his digital clock on the table next to his bed. The red numbers told him it was five after midnight. Rubbing his eyes David stumbled across the floor to the window, pulling up the blinds and opening the window wide. He could barely make out the person below his room; there was no moon to brighten the night. The scent of freesia and lilac drifted up on a puff of breeze. Arianna.

"Ari, what are you doing?" David's words were still slightly slurred from sleep.

"Come down. I want to show you something," Arianna said, whispering in the dark.

"Ari, it's midnight," David said.

"I know that. Just come down," Arianna said; laughter in her barely audible voice.

"Alright, let me get dressed," David said, pulling his head back in the window.

"No David, now," Arianna said, "just put on your shoes."

"Okay," David's voice drifted through the window.

David opened his closet and pulled out a pair of old shoes and slipped his feet into them. Being careful not to wake his Uncle and Aunt, he eased open his door and crept down the hall to the stairs. David was sure to skip the seventh stair from the top.

Arianna was waiting by her car when David stepped out of the front door.

"Alright Ari, what is it that you want to show me?" David asked, shivering slightly in the breeze.

"It's not here, come on, I'll show you," Arianna said as she opened her door and slid behind he wheel.

David shrugged and slid into the car beside her. "Where are we going?" David asked.

"It's a surprise." Arianna said, smiling in the dim glow of the dashboard.

"Do I get a hint or should I close my eyes," David teased, now fully awake.

"No hint," Arianna said, "and no don't close your eyes, you'll fall asleep again."

They drove in silence for a while, passing out of the city limits and into the country. The blackness grew deeper as the left the city behind. After another twenty minutes Arianna pulled off the main road and onto a narrow dirt path. The car bounced and rattled over the rough road. Eventually Arianna pulled the car over and cut the engine.

David followed Arianna out of the car and through thick, tall grass. Arianna carried a flashlight, it's beam illuminating a short distance ahead. After a short walk David found himself standing beside a telescope. Confused he looked at Arianna.

"Tonight is the night that we are able to see Halley's comet the clearest." Arianna motioned to the telescope. She also pointed to the sky above them. David could see a bright comet crossing the sky.

Grinning, he stepped up to the telescope and looked through the eye piece. The comet came into focus, large and beautiful.

"Wow."

Arianna came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm glad you like it."

"Like it. It's amazing. I can't believe I've never looked at one before." David turned and smiled at Arianna. "Thank you."

"Your welcome David," Arianna said, leaning over and kissing him."

After Arianna had watched the comet, David pulled her over to the grass and lay down with her, watching the stars and the progression of the comet.