The elements we are composed of were formed by the interiors of collapsing stars. We are all made of stardust.
On the beach, right near the edge of the water, two stars sat together quietly just watching the sunset, as they stare at their still reflections in the water.
She watched him as he looked ahead, his azure eyes just as blue as the deep sea he gazed at. She focused on her own legs, her toes that were caked with sand.
“It’s true.”
At the sound of his voice, she glanced at him again, but this time he caught her by surprise. His eyes were frigid, icy blue now, as he looked into her own plain hazel-coloured orbs. Yet there was a sort of vulnerability to them.
A vulnerability, she thought, that only she had ever seen. Magnus wasn’t a very open person, he never had been, not even with her. And this was coming from someone who’d been friends with him since childhood.
Although if she really thought about it, she had to admit she knew a lot more about him than any of his other friends ever would.
“I did have a thing for you.”
The sound of his voice broke her out of her reverie. She blinked repeatedly, but remained quiet, fiddling with her fingers, as she tried to figure out her jumbled thoughts and emotions.
He finally admitted it.
She sighed, causing him to raise his head and look at her curiously. It was not a reaction he thought he would have elicited from the above words.
“We’re both idiots.”
She doubted that was what he had been expecting her to say, and just thinking of that made a wry smile spread across her face. She refused to look at him, not wanting to see his face. She could imagine what he would be looking like just fine, regardless of eye contact.
She felt Magnus move beside her, shifting into a more comfortable position. The silence stretched on, but she didn’t feel uncomfortable in the slightest. Oddly, she was comforted by it.
“Why do you say that?”
Instead of replying, she bent down her head, seeing her reflection do the same. As she saw her mirrored image bob up and down in the water, she dipped her head upwards, taking in the sight that lay in front of her.
She saw the setting sun, the orange glow it cast on her skin and the sand. She felt it bathe her, as the warm sensation of the rays was splashed onto her face.
It was bold, brilliant, and rich in colour.
It was beautiful.
She closed her eyes, just as she finally spoke.
“Because I liked you too.”
The words hung in the air, and she felt their heavy weight rest on both their shoulders. She knew he felt it too. But before he could speak, she took the chance.
“But it’s too late now.” She said, not looking at him. He turned his head sideways, to see what had captured her attention.
She gazed down at it, her face a mixture of longing and despondency. He couldn’t see it at first, but then the sand around her hand shifted, clearing the way for him.
The silver metal glinted against the beige coloured sand it rested against. The circular band of sterling, the precious circlet of life and love.
The very symbol of till death do us part.
The annulet, that encircled her fourth finger, embracing it.
Her wedding ring.
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