Lost in Love by Susane Colasanti

Author:Susane Colasanti
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-03-29T04:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-ONE

ROSANNA

WHEN D TOOK ME TO Central Park movie night, it was like a big, friendly outdoor party. People were respectful of our space. I had the best time leaning back against D, watching the movie and getting swept away by what was probably the best summer night of my life.

Bryant Park movie night is different.

They haven’t even let people in yet, and I can already tell things are about to get real. D can’t come until later, so he told me to save us a spot. But he also warned me that Bryant Park movie night was cutthroat. Sadie advised me to get in line before five. She explained how everyone lines up on the gravelly path around the rectangular grassy area where you sit to watch the movie. At 5:00 on the dot, a whistle blows. That’s when you are allowed on the grass. I heard it gets insane when the whistle blows. People run to stake out spots so fast Sadie nearly got knocked over one year. All the good spots are pretty much taken by 5:15. Five seemed way too early to show up for a movie that doesn’t start until after eight. But I got here early anyway just to be on the safe side. I’m glad I did.

We have a few minutes to go until the whistle blows. Like Sadie said, we’re all lined up on the path surrounding the lawn. I can’t believe how many people are here already. We’re lined up two deep on the path. Some people behind the front row are even trying to push their way up to the front. A low rope extends around the perimeter of the grass. I wonder what would happen if someone stepped over the rope. Not even if they went all the way onto the grass. Just put one foot over. Would an emergency siren go off? Would that person be restricted from movie night? I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a no-watch list.

A college girl carrying a heap of blankets drops her big Ikea bag. She slowly lowers herself to retrieve the bag, the blankets blocking her vision as they mash up against her face, and feels around for the bag’s handle. I want to go over and help her. But I’m worried that if I step away from the rope, I will be trampled when the whistle blows. Then I’ll never get a spot and D and I will have to stand in the back or something. I’m about to go over to help her anyway when a guy standing next to her picks up her bag. He does the right thing. I need to get better about jumping into action when someone needs help. There’s no excuse for my behavior.

New Yorkers waiting for the Bryant Park movie night whistle are wound up so tightly you can almost hear them twanging. Being a part of real New York life is thrilling. I am blending in with New Yorkers as if I’m officially one of them.

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