Tiny plastic comets

Hihihi, you’re here! Hill’s here! Trudy shouts. She is wearing an oversized navy cable-knit sweater, floral surf shorts, and retro grey Air Max.

There are at least thirty people around a large fire; some of them dancing to drum and bass being played off a portable Bose speaker, some of them sitting on small camping chairs, talking to each other with focused facial expressions. Hill stops walking and immediately feels self-conscious.

Please, a tidal wave, Hill thinks.

Trudy stops dancing and runs over to Hill. She jumps up at him, holding one hand out for a high-five. Hill high fives her and looks at her face for ~10 seconds.

Intense! Trudy laughs. You’re really really late, it’s fine though. What time even is it? What even time is it? What am I even saying? You want some NOS?

Sure, Hill says.

***

When my phone ran out, I don’t know, I just felt like maybe that was actually the best thing that’s happened to me in the whole time I’ve been here, Hill says. It was dark, like truly I couldn’t see anything, and it felt possible to think. I remembered my dog’s face, and I don’t mean generically I recalled what a Collie’s face would look like, I actually remembered Jess’ face. I hadn’t thought of her for years. It felt good connecting with an emotional experience that wasn’t also somehow tied to anything that’s still relevant today. Then I thought of Roger, which ruined the moment of course. But it felt good overall. Jess, a lovely friend to me. Standing there, in the middle of the forest, in darkness, I probably would have thrown the phone away into the sea if I could throw that far, he says, feeling lightheaded, struggling to focus when not speaking.

Fuck! Let’s do that now! Trudy springs to her feet and starts dancing and shouting.

What, no, I don’t—

No, no, too late, Trudy says. It’s a statement. Let’s all do it. Everyone, we’re going to throw our phones away! Into the sea! This is Hill’s idea!

No, I don’t … my phone is really—

Trudy pulls Hill up by his arms and begins dragging him towards the water. A small group of other people are following; as Hill turns round to look at them he sees their solemn facial expressions – one of them, the MDMA man from the house party, slowly bangs on a small drum that’s hanging from his waist by a frayed string belt.

Trudy kicks off her shoes and walks into the sea.

Waaaaaaawooooooo! Fuck you, phone fucker! she screams, delighted.

The small group cheers wildly as Trudy’s phone flies out of her hand and into the darkness. The blond man bangs on his drum louder, quicker. Hill looks at him and attempts to smile but instead looks unhinged.

Do I have phone insurance, Hill thinks.

Feel sick, Hill thinks.

The blond man with the drum looks back at Hill and smiles broadly. Your turn, Hill, he says. Everybody! Hill’s turn, Hill’s turn, Hill’s turn, Hill’s turn, Hill’s turn, Hill’s turn.

Fucking do it, Hill! Trudy is grinning, jumping up and down in the water.

Hill slowly opens his rucksack and takes out the phone.

It’s just, this is a really expen—

The man on the drum glares at Hill and bangs his drum harder. Throw the phone, bro, he says.

Hill attempts to kick his shoes off, but they’re too tight.

I need this, it—

Hill looks at Trudy, beckoning him into the sea, full of enthusiasm.

It has footage of—

Hill walks into the sea wearing his shoes and holding his phone. He looks at Trudy, who leans in towards him and takes his hands in hers.

Give me the phone and throw this instead, Trudy whispers as she transfers a large pebble into Hill’s other hand.

Okay, thank you, I love you, Hill says.

Hill turns to face the ocean and throws the pebble as far as he can. The crowd cheer and begin throwing their phones into the sea. Hill and Trudy look up and see tiny plastic comets, LED–lit shooting stars, fly over their heads. Trudy laughs and whoops. The blond man is still pounding his drum, and continues on the same beat as he and the others make their way back to the campfire.

Trudy puts her hands around Hill’s waist and blows a raspberry. Hill looks at Trudy and feels an urge to record her looking directly into camera and responding to questions concerning her life and happiness, questions concerning the island’s forests, beaches, and roads, questions concerning other things.

I would have thrown it, Hill says.

Hill and Trudy stand in the water, looking at each other calmly. Trudy leans in towards Hill and kisses him on the lips.

Hill shuts his eyes and listens to the water.