Auric holds out his arm for a long minute before Maria registers
that this handsome man in a freshly pressed tux is waiting for her.
She wraps her arm around his, and the pair walks toward his Audi R8.
Maria
You’re driving us in that?
Auric
Yeah, but don’t be worried. I actually…
Maria
Of course it’s okay.
Auric opens the door on the passenger side,
And waits for Maria to get in.
Then he races around the other side, and once he’s behind the wheel,
He lets out of a big sigh of relief.
Auric
I’m so glad you’re cool with the no drinking thing.
Auric
I don’t know—it’s college. A lot of people want to party and get drunk.
Maria
I mean, I DO like to party and drink…
Maria
But that’s not the only thing I like to do.
Maria
And it’s your choice what you do.
Auric
Yeah, it’s just—tennis is the thing that makes me special.
Auric
If I don’t condition my body to play the best tennis it can…
Auric
I’m throwing away the biggest gift I was given.
Maria
Wow, that’s really cool that you consider tennis a gift.
Auric
What else would it be?
Maria
Well, you’ve probably worked pretty hard to play at your level.
Maria
I think some people would be a little egotistical about that achievement.
Auric
I mean, yeah, I worked hard.
Auric
But I was given a huge leg up by being born with my genes.
Auric
And we all work hard at what we do.
Auric
Look at you—you’re one of the best public speakers in the class.
Maria
Well, that’s just because I come from a big family.
Maria
You have to be a good speaker to survive in it.
Maria
But you’re right…I do take all the assignments seriously.
Auric
So see? Same thing.
Auric
You were given a natural gift, but then you worked hard to make it great.
Maria
La Soirée des Étoiles?
Maria
Are you kidding me?
Maria
It’s impossible to get a reservation here.
Auric
It’s no big deal—I know the owner.
Auric pulls the car up the valet and meets Maria at the entrance.
When she starts walking toward the main dining room,
Auric grabs her hand, leans in close, and whispers in her ear.
He takes her up a secret staircase in the corner,
That leads them all the way up to the roof.
There’s nothing but stars for miles—and a single table set for two.
Auric moves two steps closer to Maria as she takes in her surroundings.
He captures her mouth with his
Before he says another word.
The feeling is exhilarating—
The hot passion of the kiss in stark contrast with the cool night,
Making Maria understand the romance of a rooftop…
And it sends her into a panic.
Abruptly, she breaks off the kiss.
Maria
I-I need to go home.
Auric
We should have dinner first.
Maria
No, I just remembered…
Auric
Can I at least drive you home?
Maria
No, no. I’ll take a cab.
Maria races down the stairs, two at a time, and flies out the door.
Down the street a bit, she hails a cab,
As the car pulls out with her inside, she sees Auric behind her—
Standing on the curb with his hands hanging at his sides in defeat.
Two minutes later, her phone buzzes.
Auric
I didn’t mean to kiss you if you weren’t ready.
Maria
I wanted you to kiss me.
Maria
But the rooftop, the dinner, this dress…
Maria
It’s kind of a lot.
Maria
And I’m not sure it’s me.
Auric
Yeah, I guess it was a little over the top.
Auric
But I picked that rooftop because it was under the stars.
Auric
I remembered that story you told in class…
Auric
About how your family would go camping under the night sky.
Auric
So I thought you’d like it.
Maria
Oh, Auric. I did. I REALLY liked it.
Maria
And that was the problem.
Maria
Look, I’m just a regular girl who likes camping in the woods
Maria
I wear yoga pants, even when I’m not working out.
Maria
I can’t be like Kristin Kelly.
Maria
I’m not the kind of girl who gets dressed up for dates…
Maria
Or has sex on rooftops.
Auric
I’m not that guy either.
Auric
That rooftop thing with Kristin…
Auric
And ugh, SHE’S the one who made it up.
Auric
That’s when I realized I couldn’t be with her anymore.
Auric
Yeah. I can’t be with someone who’s over-the-top like that.
Auric
I need a regular girl.
Auric
A girl who’s more like me.
Maria
But I don’t think I AM like you, Auric.
Auric
You are. And if anything, you’re better.
Auric
Maria, you’re a good person from a good family,
Auric
You didn’t judge me for not drinking,
Auric
You’re naturally talented, and you work hard at what you do.
Auric
Please—I want to see you. Where are you right now?
Maria
I just got to the parking lot of Winters.
Five minutes later, Auric pulls into the lot and parks his car.
He gets out, and as he strides over to Maria,
She feels her body hum. She wants him.
Or at least, she wants another mind-numbing kiss.
When she finally speaks, her voice comes out soft and shy.
Auric
Hey there—so can we do this? Please?
Auric
Can we take this slow?
Maria
Yes. I think we can.
And this time, it’s Maria who reaches out
And grabs Auric by the collar of his shirt.
She pulls him down to her and kisses him,
Pouring her soul through his mouth and into his very being.
She’s ready to build a constant, steady foundation…
Strong enough to last the rest of their lives.
