text: ‘Quickly! Quickly! Come on! We’re going to miss it! Oh my God hurry up!’ ‘Shut up! I’m going as fast as I can!’ ‘SHHH!!! Why are you being so loud? You’ll scare them off!’ ‘You’re the one shouting. I’m just trying to-‘ ‘Sh! We’re here. Come, look. Ouch! Stop shoving me. These bushes are prickly!’ ‘I swear, if I could be here with anyone else-’ ‘-you’d pick me every time, I know. ‘Cause I’m your most favourite person ever.’ ‘Urgh. Let’s just watch the flowers. It should be starting any time now. Andy said if you look slightly above everything, you can see when they’re waking up. Apparently, they start glowing as soon as they wake up.’ ‘You know Andy tells lies. He’s never even *seen* it. How would he know what to do? I’m just going to look everywhere until I see something.’ ‘Well, you do what you want, and I’ll do what I want, and we’ll see who sees them first.’ ‘You’re so competitive.’ ‘I’m not competitive! I just don’t want to miss anything important.’ ‘I promise you, you’re not going to miss anything. It’s a big moment. I’m kind of surprised there aren’t more people here.’ ‘Well, I read that it happens a lot throughout the year. Plus, I think we’re the only ones stupid enough to be here at 2 in the morning! I don’t know how you talked me into this. It’s so cold and I just want to sleep. We could be here for hours.’ ‘Stop whining. You’re here now and you’re going to thank me when we see the whole thing.’ ‘What makes you so sure tha-’ ‘Shh! I think I see something! Look! Look!’ ‘Where? I can’t see! Where?’ ‘Over there by the tree! Look it’s a light! Oh my God it’s starting! They’re waking up.’ ‘Wheeerree?! I can’t see!’ ‘You see that tree? Good. Now look near the bottom, where the grass is. See the faint glow? It's reeaaally faint.’ ‘I can’t see anything. You’re imagining it. Probably becoming delusional from the cold.’ ‘It’s not *that* cold and there’s a light over there. Just 'cause you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.’ ‘Yeah, yeah. Whatever.’ ‘Anyone ever tell you you’re the most annoying person ever?’ ‘Your mama.’ ‘Ooh sick burn... on yourself!’ ‘Whatever!’ ‘I hate to say it, but I think you were right about that glow; I can’t see it anymore.’ ‘See? I told you you were imagining it.’ ‘I just really want to see this. I might never get this chance again’ ‘Don’t say that! We can come back in a couple months and do this craziness all over again.’ ‘That would be nice...’ ‘Hey, do you think that flower over there’s a bit... shiny or something?’ ‘Where?’ ‘Just over there. By the fence.’ ‘I -I can’t... tell... it might be!’ ‘I saw that by looking slightly above the fence. Ow! What’d you do that for?’ ‘Cause you're being annoying again.’ ‘It works and you know it.’ ‘Ok loser.’ ... ‘What if it doesn’t happen today?’ ‘Then you owe me.’ ‘How? I’ve already given you the pleasure of my company.’ ‘That’s not going to give me back my sleep.’ ‘What’s sleep compared to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like this?’ ‘Again, they said this happens a lot through the year.’ ‘Sure, sure but nothing can ever compare to that rush you get when you do something for the first time.’ ‘I don’t know. Doesn’t matter how many times I get under the covers, it’s always the best feeling ever. Mmmmm... OW! Stop hitting me!’ ‘Stop being annoying.’ ‘... I don’t know why you have to keep hitting me...’ ‘I mean it; this is the first time we’re seeing this. And it could be the last time I do.’ ‘I don’t know why you keep saying that. We’ll see them again and again until we’re sick of it.’ ‘Hmmm... How come you’ve never seen it before?’ ‘My parents are all about letting things be. Don’t bother them and they won’t bother you.’ ‘Bother them? We’re just watching.’ ‘Some people take pictures and stuff and my parents think that because they light up, the camera flash messes with them, somehow. I’m not sure. But they always come out blurry in pictures I’ve seen. Even professionals can’t get them!’ ‘Maybe your parents are right. People just need to leave things alone where they are and nothing bad will happen. Things’ll just carry on like they’re supposed to.’ ‘Are you ok?’ ‘Hell yeah. I just have something in my eye, that’s all. Pesky allergies.’ ‘But I thought you didn’t have any allergies. Jesus! Stop hitting me!’ ‘You know you deserve it.’ ... ‘Are you still awake?’ ‘Barely. Anything happen?’ ‘Nope. I thought I saw something but it was nothing.’ ‘You think maybe we should go home? We’ve been out here for hours and the sun’ll be up soon.’ ‘...’ ‘Hello?’ ‘What?’ ‘Are you crying?’ ‘No! I told you, allergies!’ ‘Allergies don’t make you a crybaby.’ ‘I just - I just really wanted to see them today. I don’t know when I’ll be able to come out again.’ ‘Just ask nicely and maybe your parents will let you.’ ‘You don’t get it. I won’t be able to move on my own soon and we’ll have to move.’ ‘What do you mean?’ ‘I don’t really know how to explain it but by Christmas, I won’t be able to walk. Whatever I’ve got, it works fast and there’s no way to stop it. There’s a place in Europe that says they can help. But we have to move again soon.’ ‘I’m sorr-’ ‘I don’t want to hear another “sorry”. I’m sick of it. I just want to see the sky light up with a million billion little lights. I just want to have a moment where I’m like everyone else and do something normal! I don’t want anyone to be sorry!’ ‘...’ ‘I’m sorry for getting angry.’ ‘It’s ok. I think we should stay, though. There’s still time before the sun comes up.’ ‘No, you’re right. Let’s go back. This was stupid.’ ‘I want to stay.’ ‘Why? It’s not going to happen.’ ‘It might. It might be the best one ever!’ ‘You think?’ ‘Yup! I can feel it in my toes. This is going to be amazing!’ ‘You don’t feel in your toes!’ ‘I do. And I’m never wrong!’ ‘Except when Andy tells you lies.’ ‘Andy *might* have been telling stories about this one.’ ‘Andy’s always lying. He once told me his Dad invented sticky notes. Everyone knows it was Arthur Fry.’ ‘Who?’ ‘Arthur Fry.’ ‘Who’s that?’ ‘The guy who invented sticky notes, dummy!’ ‘How do you even know that?’ ‘Everybody knows that!’ ‘Not everybody.’ ‘You must live under a rock.’ ‘No I don’t! Just 'cause I didn’t know some weird random fact. How do I know you’re not telling stories like An-’ ‘Sh! Look!’ ‘I bet there’s nothing there.’ ‘For love of everything decent, just shut up and look!’ ‘Wha- What’s that?’ ‘I don’t know. But it’s glowing.’ ‘This is a trick. It must be.’ ‘It’s not! You can see it too. The tree is glowing! And it’s getting brighter!’ ‘Th-they’re waking up!’ ‘Not so loud!’ ‘They’re waking up!’ ‘I know! This is so exciting! I told you I saw something by the tree.’ ‘I don’t know what to say; you were right.’ ‘What do you think they’re doing?’ ‘I don’t know - stuff?’ ‘Thanks Einstein.’ ‘You don’t know either!’ ‘Not the point. Oh my God look. They’re coming out! They’re coming out! You think they’ll come over here?’ ‘I hope not. I heard they crawl into your ear and turn your brain to mush! Don’t look at me like that! I don’t want a mushy brain.’ ‘Did Andy tell you that?’ ‘No. I heard it from some adults who’ve seen it before.’ ‘Mmmhm. You’ll believe anything.’ ‘No I won’t!’ ‘Look at them. How cool is this? There’s so many of them. Look at how they’re flying together. Like *whooshing* around.’ ‘More like-’ ‘Look how bright they are. Who needs lights? They’re so- They're so- what's the word?’ ‘Radiant.’ ‘Radiant! They’re so radiant! Do you know how awesome, how unbelievably *lucky* we are to see this? Some people never see this their whole lives! To see the sky lit up like a Christmas tree.’ ‘It’s pretty wonderful.’ ‘Wonderful is not the word to describe this! This is the best moment of my life. I wish I could touch one. Just once. If I just... stretched my arm out...’ ‘What are you doing?! Put your arm back!’ ‘Trust me. How can something so small and pretty hurt me?’ ‘I’d rather not find out.’ ‘They’re getting closer. Look!’ ‘I don’t like this. Bring your arm back and let’s go home.’ ‘Wait. Wait just one... more... moment...’ ‘Oh my God it’s- it’s- it’s- it’s-’ ‘It’s in my hand! It’s in my hand! I’m touching one - it's in my hand!’ ‘It’s in your hand!’ ‘I know! You can even tell Andy about it!’ ‘Andy’ll probably say he’s touched a lot but he’s a liar.’ ‘Finally! You agree. I wonder what kind of animal it is...’ ‘It’s just... kind of, I don’t know, standing in your hand. Maybe it’s like a bee?’ ‘It’s... a person?’ ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Look at it. It looks like a little person. I’m... juuust going to bring it closer.’ ‘I- I- I don’t think anyone has ever seen one this close.’ ‘It’s ok. It’s ok little one. I’m not going to hurt you. It’s ok. Hi. Hello. I’m friendly.’ ‘It probably can’t understand you.’ ‘*She* does. She knows I won’t hurt her otherwise she would have flown away. Isn't that right, little thing? You know I won’t hurt you. I just want to see what you are. I’ll call you Fey.’ ‘You can’t name her.’ ‘Why not?’ ‘She’s not a pet.’ ‘So what?’ ‘OH MY GOD you’re petting her. She’s not a dog! ‘She doesn’t have to be. She’s holding my finger and snuggling against my finger. Aren’t you? Just cuddling my finger. She looks so happy.' ‘She probably has a family waiting for her. Looks like they’re all going now.’ 'No please, don’t go!’ ‘I think she has to. It’s part of their life cycle.’ ‘Goodbye little Fey. I’ll miss you.’ ‘Look at them. Just over the trees like that. It’s so cool.’ ‘I miss her already.’ ‘You’re so lucky! You got to touch one. I don’t think anyone in the history of ever has done that!’ ‘I know! I’ll never forget this!’ ‘Me neither! I kind of wished this never ended.’ ‘Yeah but we can’t see them anymore. Let’s start heading back.’ ‘You know? I’m so glad we got to see this together.’ ‘Me too. And you were right.’ ‘About what?’ ‘This was the best one ever.