DARK SKY.
While watching the dark sky, James thinks about his partner Jessie.
Tonight the sky is clear and shining.
The stars are out. They create the lovely effect of a bright powder over the dark background.
They are the real attraction of the night. No wonder if people only admire them. If the stars are so amazing it is also thanks to the sky. But hardly anybody is aware of that.
This sky looks a bit like me.
My name is James and I'm a Team Rocket member.
Jessie and Meowth, my partners, are sleeping inside the cabin we found for the night, in the middle of the forest. But tonight I'm not tired. I choose to watch the stars.
It's only during moments like this I can totally be honest with myself.
There's a part of me that nobody has ever known, not even Jessie or Meowth. And this is the part of my heart that makes me come here in the middle of the night and watch the stars.
I am not and I'll never be one of those far, remote stars.
Jessie is a star. She is so strong, determined and self-confident as much as I'm shy, silly and childish. Sometimes I try to be more responsible but I never succeed in it. It's a role not suited for me.
The most responsible member of our team is Jessie. And me… well, I'm the carefree one.
After all, everything is perfect. And between me and Jessie there's a perfect harmony. But sometimes, I feel frustrated with my own behaviour. I'm scared of what everybody is expecting from me. Of what Jessie is expecting from me.
Jessie…the star.
I wish she was my star!
I don't know when this has happened, when our friendship has become something more. It just happened. I'm in love with Jessie and this sickly worries me.
Jessie is my best friend, my team-mate, my true family. To me, she is the most important person in the world. And this is what paralyzes me.
Perhaps, if she was a common girl, I would confess her my feelings and express my love for her… but she is Jessie!
We have been knowing each other for a long time and our friendship is so special.
She cares about me, of that I'm sure. But is she also in love with me?
Or does she see me just as her little brother?
Even though Jessie and I have been friends for a long time I can't realize this.
The only way to know the truth is asking it to Jessie. But I can't. I wouldn't have the courage.
If she knew my true feelings for her, everything would be different.
But what if she is not in love with me? It would be a disaster. I wish I could have her love but I can't run the risk of losing her friendship in order to obtain it.
I wonder if she feels the same way I do.
A noise behind me. Jessie stares at me leaning against the door.
"James, it's late. What are you doing outside?"
The moon reflects in her bright blue eyes and her long hair is down for the night. She is so beautiful. My voice trembles while answering.
"I was just looking at the sky…hey, Jessie…" I didn't expect the last two words to come out from my mouth.
She is a bit surprised.
"Yes, James?"
"I was thinking that…."
Should I really say it? I'm about to tell her the truth. Everything will change in a few seconds. She stares at me. She wants me to go on.
"I was thinking that… that…that the moon looks like a pancake tonight! I'm hungry!"
I can't. I can't tell her the truth.
Jessie looks at me for a moment then bursts out laughing.
"You're always hungry, James! You never change!"
Yeah. I'll never change.
I laugh too, then she enters and I remain outside alone. And I burst into tears.
Once again, I couldn't find the courage to confess my love.
Maybe, one day everything will be different.
I wipe away the tears and I have a look at the stars one last time before entering, too.
Maybe, one day I will be Jessie's star. Maybe not, but until that moment I'm satisfied to be her sky. The dark sky that makes her shine.