The theater filled up, and everyone was loud and excited. Elena got a large popcorn and a small pop, and she went to the bathroom twice in the hour before the show started. “If I have to pee during the movie, I’m using this cup.”

“It’s what you do best,” Gabe said.

“I can’t believe I made it!” she said. “I can’t believe we’re here. I can’t believe there’s a new Star Wars movie.”

“I can’t believe how much I want a shower,” Gabe said.

Elena started doing her Star Wars dance again. It worked just as well in a chair.

When the lights went down, she squealed.

She’d made it. She’d camped out. And she hadn’t given up. And now it was here. Now it was starting.

The opening crawl began. Episode VII: The Force Awakens.

Elena felt all the stress and tension—all the adrenaline—of the last four days drain out of her body. She felt like she was sinking deep, deep into the warm, plush chair.

She’d made it. She was here. It was happening.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Elena woke up with her head on Gabe’s shoulder. In a puddle of spit. Someone was trying to climb over her. “Excuse me,” the person said. Why would anyone be leaving during the opening credits . . .

The opening credits. Star Wars movies didn’t have opening credits.

Elena looked at Gabe. His head had fallen to the side, and his mouth was open. She shook his arm. Violently. “Gabe, Gabe, Gabe. Wake up! Gabe!”

He sat up like he’d been hit by lightning. “What?”

“We fell asleep,” Elena said. “We fell asleep!”

“What?” He looked at the screen—“Oh my God!”—then back at Elena. “When did you fall asleep?”

“Immediately,” she said. “As soon as the lights went off. Oh my gahhhhd.”

“I saw the crawl,” Gabe said. “And a ship, I think?”

“We missed the whole thing,” Elena said. Her chin was trembling.

“We missed the whole thing,” Gabe repeated. “We waited for a week, and then we missed the whole thing.” He rested his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his hands. His shoulders started shaking.

Elena laid her hand on him—on the wet spot she’d left on his sleeve. She quickly pulled her hand away and wiped it on her jeans.

Gabe sat back in his seat with his fists still in his hair. He was laughing so hard he looked like he was in pain.

Elena stared at him, in shock.

And then she started giggling.

And then she started guffawing.

“Elena! Gabe!” Troy was moving with the crowd toward the door. “Was it everything?”

“I’m speechless!” Elena shouted.

Gabe just kept laughing. “We slept on the street,” he sputtered out. “You peed in a dumpster!”

Elena laughed so hard, her stomach hurt.