JAMES and CASSIE are lying side by side on the dewy grass, stargazing. A full moon hangs above the pair. Their hands lie inches apart. Pink sunrise glimmers on the horizon. CASSIE points up at the sky.

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CASSIE: Look, the moon. The inconstant moon!

 

JAMES: How did people ever think it was a piece of cheese?

 

CASSIE: Well, I always thought it was a lantern.

 

JAMES: Or a glistening pearl.

 

CASSIE: Maybe it’s a giant lightning bug.

 

JAMES: Or a loose button. 

 

CASSIE: Or Santa’s eyeball, seeing whether we’re naughty or nice.

 

A beat. JAMES turns his head, face to face with CASSIE.

 

JAMES: Hey Cass, you’re a girl. Would you ever kiss me?

 

CASSIE: Is that your new pickup line?

 

CASSIE shifts closer to JAMES, fingertips nearly touching. JAMES shakes his head.

 

JAMES: Forget it.

 

CASSIE: Maybe Hailey would, if that’s why you’re asking.

 

JAMES: (excitedly meeting her gaze) Am I that obvious? Do you really think so?

 

CASSIE: (shutting her eyes tight) I have no idea.Does... high school last forever?

 

JAMES: (rolling his eyes, pausing) Obviously not. We’re about to graduate.

 

CASSIE: People always say that it gets better after high school. Will it ever get better?

 

JAMES: Whew, we’re getting deep tonight.

 

CASSIE: James. I’m serious. I’m… scared.

 

JAMES: Me too.

 

CASSIE: Like, will all this drama and gossip continue?

 

JAMES: Sometimes… I wonder if I will become successful, or even happy, will I still feel this…. Insignificant?

 

CASSIE sits up, pulling her knees to her chest. JAMES mirrors her. 

 

CASSIE: Then what’s the point? 

 

JAMES: Escaping? Dreaming up imaginary worlds?

 

CASSIE: But even in Midsummer Night’s Dream there is all this trickery, lies and deceit. Our escape brings us right back into reality. 

 

JAMES: Plus, all the love triangle drama. Or is it love square?

 

CASSIE: I wonder… what really matters in life. Tell me the last time you felt the happiest in the world. 

 

JAMES: I think… 

 

CASSIE: I’ll wait. 

 

JAMES: (dropping her hands) When the cast list came out and I saw my name next to Lysander. I was…. so happy. I am so happy. 

 

CASSIE: I’ll bring the roses for your big debut. 

 

JAMES: (snapping his fingers, jogging his memory) What’s the saying? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

 

CASSIE: (gently slapping him on the arm) Wrong play! And they’ll be red.

 

JAMES: You don’t have to.

 

CASSIE: Fine, yellow ones, so Hailey won’t get jealous.

 

JAMES: No, Cass. You already gave me the moon. I don’t need anything else from you.

 

CASSIE turns away from JAMES. She stares up at the slowly vanishing moon, outshone by the sun setting fire to the sky.

 

CASSIE: The moon?

 

JAMES: Yeah. It’s always been there, but I never really notice it until you point it out. 

 

CASSIE: I can’t give you the moon. It doesn’t belong to me, it belongs to everyone.

 

JAMES: You gave it to me.

 

CASSIE: (whirling back towards him) Then I want it back!

 

JAMES: (gently pushing her back) No, it’s mine! You can’t take back a gift!

 

CASSIE: (crossing her arms) Fine, keep your moon. It’s just a piece of cheese anyways.

 

JAMES: How about you?

 

CASSIE: What?

 

JAMES: What’s your happiest moment?

 

CASSIE: Oh.

 

CASSIE drops her arms to her sides and hesitates. Then she brings one hand to JAMES’s shoulder and looks at him. She smiles.

 

CASSIE: This one.