Petals of Sun

5

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, Coco felt an unfamiliar lightness in her heart. It was strange, almost foreign, to share her thoughts and feelings with someone who understood the weight of her struggles. For so long, she had kept her emotions locked away, fearing that if she let them out, they would consume her.

As they walked, Mateo shared stories about his childhood, weaving tales of resilience that echoed her own. He spoke of his mother’s illness and how it had forced him to grow up too fast, just like Coco. “There were days when I felt like I was holding everything together, but I was just a kid,” he admitted, his gaze thoughtful. “I think that’s what pushed me to help others. I didn’t want anyone to feel as alone as I did.”

Coco nodded, feeling a connection to his words. “I understand,” she said. “I’ve had to be strong for my family. I thought I had to do it all on my own.”

“But you don’t have to,” Mateo replied gently. “Strength doesn’t mean carrying everything alone. It can mean reaching out for help, too.”

His words resonated with Coco, stirring something deep within her. She had always equated strength with independence, but maybe he was right. Maybe true strength lay in vulnerability, in allowing others to share the burden.

As they continued walking, the conversation flowed easily between them. Mateo’s laughter was infectious, brightening Coco’s spirits with each story he shared. She found herself laughing too, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. The worries that usually clouded her mind began to fade into the background, if only for a moment.

They stopped at a small creek, its water sparkling under the fading light. Mateo picked up a smooth stone and skipped it across the surface, watching it hop and splash. “When I was a kid, I used to think that every stone I skipped brought me one step closer to my dreams,” he said with a grin.

Coco chuckled. “That’s a nice thought. Maybe I should start skipping stones too.”

“Want to try?” he offered, handing her a stone.

Coco hesitated, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and fear. It felt so trivial, so carefree, but as she looked at Mateo’s encouraging smile, she decided to give it a shot. She bent down, selecting a flat stone, and threw it with all her might. To her surprise, it skipped beautifully across the water, sending ripples in every direction.

“See?” Mateo cheered. “You’ve got it!”

Coco couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. It was a simple moment, but it felt monumental. In that instant, she realized how much she had been missing—how long it had been since she had allowed herself to enjoy life.

As twilight settled around them, the sky darkened, revealing a tapestry of stars. Coco stood at the water’s edge, awed by the beauty of the night. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mateo moved closer, his presence warm and reassuring. “Just like you,” he said softly, his eyes reflecting the starlight.

Coco’s heart raced at his words, warmth flooding her cheeks. She had never been one to receive compliments easily, always brushing them off as mere kindness. But this felt different. It felt genuine.

“Thank you,” she said, meeting his gaze. In that moment, the air around them thickened with an unspoken connection. Coco could feel the tension, the potential of something more blossoming between them.

As they stood together, the world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them and the infinite sky above. Coco felt a pull toward Mateo, a desire to know him better, to understand his hopes and dreams just as he had shared hers.