Belonging Season

08

Stella fidgeted nervously, her thoughts consumed by the recent phone call with Lorenzo. She had tried calling him several times, but he hadn't picked up, leaving her feeling desperate and anxious. She didn't know what to do.

She sat on her bed, her heart heavy with worry and guilt. She knew she had messed up with her best friend, but how was she supposed to resolve the argument when he was so far away, and wasn't answering her calls?

Soon after, Ambar walked into Stella's room, sensing her sister's distress. "What's up?" Ambar asked, her voice filled with concern.

Stella looked up at her sister, feeling a mixture of shame and vulnerability. "It's Lorenzo," she confessed, her voice cracking. "We had an argument and now he's not picking up my calls."

Ambar's eyes widened with surprise. "The Italian boy?" she echoed, taking a step closer. "What happened? You two always work things out."

Stella sighed, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "I mentioned Matteo," she explained. "He got upset – he thinks I always put Matteo above him."

Ambar sat down on the bed next to her sister, her expression serious. "Stella," she began gently. "I'm always on your side, but he isn't completely wrong. You do kind of put Matteo before him, above everyone in fact."

Stella winced, knowing deep down that Ambar was right. "I know," she said softly. "I know I do. It's just... it's hard, knowing that Matteo and I have this bond, our friendship goes way back. And Enzo, he just doesn't understand it."

Ambar looked at her sister with a mixture of love and frustration. "Stella," she said firmly. "It's been so long. I think you should pay more attention to what's real and right in front of you, rather than some fantasy you're still holding onto for some reason."

Ambar continued, her voice gentle but firm. "Matteo isn't the same guy you knew when we were little. He's grown up, and so have you. You can't just pick up where you left off and expect things to be the same as before."

Stella nodded, a mix of sadness and resignation in her eyes. "I told him that," she shared. "A few hours ago, when he found me at the river. He seemed upset when I said it, but it's true. We both have to let each other go – we can't cling to what we had as kids forever I know that."

Ambar reached out and took her sister's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. "It's time to move on," she said softly. "Both of you. You have your own lives now, separate from each other."

Stella scoffed, feeling as if the universe was laughing at her. "But how separate can we be when we're in the same school for an entire year?" she exclaimed in frustration. "It's like we're cursed to be near each other, no matter what."

Ambar looked at her sympathetically. "It's not cursed, Stella," she reasoned. "It's just how it worked out. But that doesn't mean you have to let it keep affecting your life. You can't let the past dictate your future."

Ambar squeezed her hand again, offering her comfort. "It's okay, you know," she reassured her. "You don't have to feel guilty for being confused. Love is complicated."

Stella smiled faintly, affectionately ruffling Ambar's hair. "When did my baby sister get so wise?" she teased, her voice filled with warmth.

Ambar chuckled, her cheeks flushed slightly. "Enough about me," Stella said, "What about that brown-haired boy you were skating with today? He didn't take his eyes off you for a second."

Ambar tried to play it cool, but couldn't help blushing as she relived the memory of her skating with the boy. "Oh, that," she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "That was nothing trust me, his name is Simon, he's Lunita's best friend. We were just skating, that's all."

The sisters continued to banter playfully, their earlier problems seemingly forgotten in the moment. Stella was still teasing Ambar about Simon, and Ambar was giving it right back to her, the previous tension replaced by laughter.

Stella smiled gratefully at her sister, their earlier banter forgotten as they lay side by side on the big bed. "You know," Ambar said softly. "You don't have to hangout with Matteo and Gaston at school. Delfi and Jazmin are actually pretty nice when you get to know them. I promise Jazmin won't try to film you for the blog anymore."

Stella chuckled at her last words. "Thank you, really."

As the night wore on, Stella and Ambar sat together on the bed, their conversation winding down to a comfortable silence. Stella was grateful for her sister's understanding and support, and she knew that Ambar would always have her back, no matter what. With a final hug and a mumbled good night, the sisters parted ways, each lost in their own thoughts.