My Sunflower(Elio Story)

💛🌻Chapter 12: Whispers in the Rain💛🌻

**Trigger Warning ⚠️: This chapter contains themes of emotional vulnerability, personal struggles, and intense feelings of confusion and distress. Readers should be aware that it includes scenes of characters dealing with their emotions in a heightened state, which may be intense for some.**

Running 100 laps with a battered body was a whirlwind of unbearable pain, but with Luna right beside me, it was easier to push through. Every step was agony, but her presence made the pain more bearable, like a balm on my wounds.

My feelings for Luna ran deeper than mere friendship-a love that had quietly blossomed since I was thirteen. No matter how distant I became, she never gave up on me. And now that she was by my side again, those feelings only grew stronger. But did she feel the same?

"My Sunflower, here, have some water." Luna handed me the bottle with a smile that sent warmth spreading through my chest. I took a long sip, savoring the cool relief.

"Thank you, my Moonflower." I watched her take a big sip from her own bottle, her eyes twinkling with that familiar spark.

"We have a free period before science class. Want to go to the library?" she asked. I nodded, and we made our way to the quiet sanctuary.

At a corner table in the library, I pulled out my sketchbook and began adding colors to a drawing of us-Luna and me-sitting in a garden, surrounded by sunflowers and moonflowers. She twirled a sunflower between her fingers, lost in thought, and I couldn't help but let my gaze linger on her. Love was evident in every stroke of my pencil, in every color I chose.

Usually, I don't color my drawings-my world is a place of darkness-but this one was different. I was just about to finish when I felt a gaze on me.

Turning around, I met Luna's eyes before she quickly looked away.

"Sorry, I... umm... I was just wondering what you were d-drawing... I-I mean... c-coloring." She stuttered, her voice unusually nervous.

Since when did Luna stutter? And why did she seem so nervous around me?

"Umm..." Normally, I didn't show my drawings to anyone. But this was Luna, my Moonflower, the girl I loved.

I hesitated for a moment before showing her the drawing. The two of us sat in a garden, surrounded by sunflowers and moonflowers, just as I had imagined. The love I felt was undeniable, even in the way I had colored the scene.

Luna stared at the drawing, silent for what felt like an eternity. Maybe this was a mistake.

"My Moonflower?" I called out softly, and she snapped out of her trance.

"Sorry, I was just... immersed in your drawing. It's so detailed that I could actually see myself there with you, My Sunflower." She smiled, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Grace was right. Your drawings are amazing. You really are something special, My Sunflower." She made eye contact, and I felt my face heat up.

I was about to say something when the bell rang, cutting me off.

"H-here's y-your sketchbook b-back." She handed it to me, her fingers brushing against mine. Her hand felt a little clammy, but I didn't mind. As we walked to science class together, our hands found each other's again, holding on until we arrived.

When we got to class, she quickly let go of my hand and rushed over to Grace.

"Grace, I need to talk to you, out in the hall now," Luna whispered urgently. Grace glanced at me, then back at Luna.

"Sure. Elio, can you finish the last touch on the model?" Grace asked, and I nodded, watching as Luna dragged Grace out into the hallway.

I tried to focus on the project, adding the final touches to the model about climate change and ocean acidification, but my mind kept drifting back to Luna. Why had she suddenly acted so strange? What could she possibly need to talk to Grace about so urgently?

I had just finished when Grace and Luna returned to the classroom.

"Thanks, Elio," Grace said, and I nodded in acknowledgment.

"My Moonflower, are you okay?" I asked Luna, concern evident in my voice. She met my eyes for a brief moment before glancing away, her cheeks tinged with a soft pink.

"Y-Yeah, I'm f-fine, M-my S-Sunflower," she stuttered again, her usual confidence nowhere to be found.

Maybe I was just imagining things-reading too much into her behavior because of my own feelings.

"Luna, are you done with the paper?" Grace asked, and Luna nodded.

"Good. Are you ready to present it, or should I tell the teacher we can do it tomorrow?" Grace offered.

"Grace, umm, could you ask? I'm sorry, I just have something else on my m-" Luna began, but Grace cut her off.

"Sure, we'll just do it tomorrow." Grace walked over to Mrs. Hawthorne, then returned with a nod. "She said it's fine."

At lunch, I sat at our usual spot, waiting for Luna before eating my sandwich. She walked into the cafeteria, hesitating before sitting beside me.

"My Moonflower, are you sure you're okay?" I asked again, but she barely nodded, focusing on her salad.

After school, I walked home alone, wondering why Luna had been acting so weird. Later that night, as rain began to fall, I lay in bed, unable to sleep. Tossing and turning, I finally gave up, pulling on a black long-sleeve shirt and jeans before heading out the door.

I walked to the park and sat on the swing, closing my eyes as the rain soaked through my clothes. The sound of raindrops hitting the ground calmed me, giving me a rare moment of peace.

"E-Elio?" A familiar voice broke through the rain. I opened my eyes to see Luna standing there, drenched but determined.

"W-what are you doing out in the r-rain?" she asked, shivering slightly.

"I couldn't sleep. The rain helps me think. But what about you, my Moonflower? What are you doing out here?" I asked, surprised to see her.

"I couldn't... sleep either. I've got something on my mind," she admitted, joining me on the swing. Her voice was quiet, almost hesitant.

"My Moonflower, you've been acting strange all day. Is everything okay?" I asked, searching her face for answers.

"Yeah, I'm fine... just... thinking... about us," she murmured, her words barely audible over the rain.

"Us? What about us?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest. What did she mean by that?

"Elio, what do you see us as?" She met my gaze, her eyes searching mine.

I wanted to tell her the truth-that I saw her as more than a friend, that I loved her. But I couldn't risk ruining our friendship.

"You're my Moonflower... and my best friend," I said, my voice betraying the turmoil inside me.

"Oh... I think I should go. Bye, M-my S-Sunflower," she stammered before running off, leaving me alone in the rain, still sitting on the swing.