A week later, Elian found himself in a local park, sitting under a large acacia tree, trying to catch up on his reading for school. But once again, his focus was elsewhere.
“Yo! Elian!” a familiar voice called out.
Elian looked up, and there was Kai, holding his camera and waving at him like they were best friends. Elian hadn’t told Kai where he’d be, so running into him here felt oddly like fate.
“Hey,” Elian greeted, closing his book. “What are you doing here?”
Kai laughed, plopping down next to him on the grass. “What do you mean? I’m always out and about. I was just taking some photos. Manila’s sunsets are killer, you know?”
Elian raised an eyebrow. “Right… What’s so special about today?”
Kai shrugged. “Nothing. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth capturing.” He leaned back on his hands, looking at the sky as if searching for inspiration. “Come with me,” Kai said suddenly, his eyes lighting up.
“To where?” Elian asked, already feeling hesitant.
“Just around. I know this spot where the sunset looks amazing. You’ll love it.”
Elian hesitated, a part of him wanting to refuse, but something about the way Kai looked at him—like he could see straight through the walls Elian built around himself—made him agree. “Alright. Lead the way.”
They spent the rest of the evening walking through the city. Kai pointed out small, unnoticed details that Elian had never bothered to appreciate before—the way the light hit the old, cracked buildings, the vibrant colors of the market stalls, the faces of people as they went about their lives. It was... strangely peaceful.
For the first time in a while, Elian felt like he was seeing the world through new eyes.
YOU ARE READING
Beneath the Same Sky
RomanceElian has always been the kind of person who plays by the rules, keeping his emotions in check and his life carefully organized. But when he starts developing feelings for his best friend, Kai-a confident, easygoing photographer-his world gets turne...
