Watching The Aurora

Esme pulled Donovan toward the window, her excitement barely contained as she pointed upward, her eyes gleaming as they reflected the swirling lights of the Aurora. Donovan followed the direction of her hand, making no reaction at first, but then, his lips parted slightly as if he, too, was momentarily caught in its brilliance.

"It's beautiful," he admitted, his voice softer than usual, almost reverent.

"I've never seen one before," Esme said to him in a hush voice, as if speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile magic of the moment. "I've only read about them, and seen paintings of them. I never thought I'd actually be standing beneath one at the end of the day."

But Esme wasn't satisfied with just watching from the tall glass. Her pulse quickened with restless energy, and without warning, she seized Donovan's wrist. "Come on! We can see it better outside."