Petals of Sun

12

The rain poured down in earnest as Coco and Mateo hurried home, the once-gentle creek now swollen with rushing water. Each step felt heavier, burdened by the weight of their conversation and the harsh words from Jason.

By the time Coco reached her home, her heart was a mix of dread and determination. She needed to talk to her mother about the scholarship, but the thought of opening that conversation filled her with anxiety.

“Coco!” her younger sister, Lila, called out as soon as she stepped inside, her face lighting up. “You’re back! Can we play a game?”

“Maybe later, Lila,” Coco replied, forcing a smile despite the storm brewing inside her. “I need to talk to Mom first.”

In the kitchen, her mother sat at the table, looking exhausted but serene, a gentle smile greeting her daughter. “How was your day, dear?”

Coco took a deep breath, steadying herself. “It was good, but… I have something important to discuss.”

Her mother’s expression turned serious. “What’s on your mind?”

Coco hesitated, her heart pounding. “I got the scholarship for the city program.”

Her mother’s eyes widened with excitement, then softened with concern. “That’s wonderful, Coco! But I can see that you’re worried. What’s bothering you?”

“I’m scared, Mom. What if I leave and everything falls apart? What if I can’t handle the pressure?” Coco felt the floodgates open as her fears poured out. “What if I forget about you and Lila? I don’t want to be selfish.”

Her mother reached out, taking her hand. “Coco, pursuing your dreams isn’t selfish. It’s brave. You have always cared so deeply for our family, and that won’t change just because you’re in the city.”

“But what if I can’t support you all?” Coco’s voice trembled. “What if I fail?”

“You’re not going to fail,” her mother assured her gently. “You’ve always been strong and capable. And remember, we’ll always support you, no matter where you are.”

Coco looked into her mother’s eyes, searching for reassurance. “But what if I miss important moments? What if I miss you both?”

Her mother smiled softly. “You’ll always be a part of our lives, Coco. You can chase your dreams while still being there for us. We’ll find a way.”

Feeling a mix of relief and lingering doubt, Coco nodded. “I want to believe that.”

As she left the kitchen, Lila tugged at her arm, breaking her thoughts. “Can we play now?”

Coco knelt down, her heart warming at her sister’s innocent excitement. “Sure! Just a quick game, okay?”

They played together, laughter echoing through the house. For a moment, Coco forgot about her worries, losing herself in the joy of being with Lila. But as the evening wore on, the reality of her decision crept back in, weaving through her thoughts like a persistent shadow.

Later that night, while lying in bed, Coco stared at the ceiling, contemplating the crossroads she faced. Should she pursue her dream, knowing it could mean leaving her family behind? Or should she stay and ensure their stability, even if it meant sacrificing her own aspirations?

The next morning, as the rain cleared and sunlight streamed through her window, Coco felt a renewed sense of purpose. She needed to confront her fears head-on.

At school, she found Mateo waiting for her by the entrance. “Hey! Ready to tackle another day?” he greeted, his smile brightening her mood.

“Yeah, but I have something I need to discuss with you,” she replied, her voice serious.

They walked to their usual spot, the weight of her words pressing down on her. “I talked to my mom about the scholarship,” she began. “She believes in me, but I’m still scared.”

Mateo nodded, his expression encouraging. “That’s totally normal. It’s a big step. But you have to ask yourself what you really want. Do you want to go?”

“I do,” Coco admitted, her voice firm. “But I want to do it for the right reasons. I don’t want to abandon you or my family.”

Mateo smiled softly, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. “You’re not abandoning us, Coco. You’re pursuing your dreams. And you can still be there for us while doing that.”

Coco felt a rush of gratitude wash over her. “You always know how to make me feel better. Thank you, Mateo.”

As they talked, a sense of determination began to settle in Coco’s heart. She wouldn’t let fear dictate her choices. It was time to embrace the opportunity before her, no matter how daunting it felt.

As they finished their discussion, a group of students passed by, laughing and teasing one another. Among them was Jason, who shot Coco a sneering look. “So, are you really going to leave us for some fancy school?” he taunted. “Bet you’ll forget all about your little family here.”

Coco’s heart sank at his words, but she refused to let him get to her. “I’m not leaving you behind, Jason. I’m chasing my dreams, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

He laughed mockingly, “Dreams don’t pay the bills, little girl. Just remember that when you’re living in your fantasy.”

With Mateo by her side, Coco felt emboldened. “I’ll make it work, Jason. You should try supporting people instead of tearing them down.”

Jason’s expression faltered for a moment, surprise flickering in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and walked away with his friends, leaving Coco and Mateo standing in silence.

“Good for you,” Mateo said, pride evident in his voice. “You stood your ground.”

Coco felt a swell of confidence rise within her. “I’m tired of letting him get to me. I have to focus on what really matters.”

As they continued their day, Coco felt a newfound determination coursing through her. She had the support of her family and Mateo, and she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

That evening, after school, Coco returned home to find a surprise waiting for her: a letter from the scholarship program. Heart racing, she opened it with trembling hands, revealing the details of the next steps for her application.

A mix of excitement and anxiety filled her as she read through the information. This was the opportunity she had dreamed of, but the stakes felt higher than ever.

“Coco, dinner’s ready!” her mother called from the kitchen.

She took a deep breath, her heart pounding with possibilities. She had made her choice; now she needed to act on it.

As she joined her family at the table, she felt a sense of clarity wash over her. She would pursue her dreams, but she would do so while keeping her loved ones close. The path ahead would be challenging, but she was ready to face it head-on, with Mateo by her side.