we might be falling in love - patricio o' ward

the last time

June 6th, 2017

The sun dipped low on the horizon, a vibrant canvas of orange and pink painted across the sky, casting a golden glow over the sprawling lawn of San Antonio High School. The air hummed with the electric energy of graduation day, a palpable excitement that crackled in the warm Texas breeze. Laughter danced on the wind, mingling with the joyous cheers of proud parents and the occasional tender whisper of heartfelt goodbyes.

Amidst the throngs of graduates, Astraea Castillo stood at the edge of the crowd, her cap and gown billowing softly in the gentle caress of the evening air. The vibrant hues of her surroundings seemed to pale in comparison to the kaleidoscope of emotions swirling within her chest-anticipation, nostalgia, and a bittersweet longing that tugged at her heartstrings.

Her gaze wandered through the sea of familiar faces until it found him-Patricio "Pato" O'Ward-his magnetic presence a beacon amidst the crowd. A radiant smile graced his features, illuminating the space around him with an ethereal glow. It was as if the sun itself had descended from the heavens to bask in his radiance.

Their eyes met across the distance, a silent exchange that spoke volumes in the language of shared memories and unspoken dreams. In that fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still, the world around them fading into insignificance as they became the sole focus of each other's universe.

With a sense of inevitability, Pato made his way through the crowd, every step bringing him closer to Astraea until finally, he stood before her, a vision of warmth and familiarity amidst the sea of uncertainty.

"Astraea," he breathed, his voice a melody that resonated deep within her soul.

"Pato," she whispered in return, her voice barely a breath, yet filled with a lifetime of unspoken sentiments.

We did it, hermosa. We're finally free!"

"Yeah," she breathed, pulling back to look at him. "Free."

His smile faltered slightly as he studied her face. "You okay? You seem... I don't know, distant."

Astraea forced a laugh. "Just a lot on my mind. You know, with college and everything."

"Right, you're leaving early for MIT," he said, a hint of pride and sadness in his tone. "You're gonna do amazing things, Astraea."

"And you're going to conquer the racing world," she replied, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Pato took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Promise me something?"

"Anything."

"No matter where we end up, we'll always be best friends. Deal?"

"Deal," she whispered, her heart breaking with each syllable. They stood there for a moment, holding onto the fleeting seconds of their intertwined fates. As the sun set, casting long shadows over their faces, Astraea knew this was goodbye. She had dreams to chase, places to be, and he had his own path to follow.

"Good luck, Pato," she said, stepping back, feeling the weight of the words.

"You too, A. See you around."

But they both knew the truth. This was the end of an era. She watched as he walked away, blending into the crowd, leaving her standing alone at the crossroads of their destinies. Six years would pass before their paths would cross again, but on that graduation day, neither could predict if time and distance would prove them to be the right people for each other-or reveal that their love was never meant to be.