River of Echoes
331 Words
The next afternoon, Luke asked Allyah to meet him near the old river outside town.
She almost said no.
Almost.
But curiosity won.
The path leading to the river was surrounded by tall grass and wildflowers.
The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, creating golden patterns on the ground.
When Allyah arrived, Luke was already there, skipping small stones across the water.
The river sparkled beneath the sunlight, calm and steady, just like she remembered.
"This place hasn't changed," she said as she approached.
Luke turned, smiling slightly.
"Neither have you."
She rolled her eyes.
"Smooth."
He laughed softly.
They walked along the riverbank together, the comfortable silence between them strangely familiar.
Allyah sat on a large rock and slipped off her shoes, dipping her feet into the cool water.
"So," she said after a moment, glancing at him. "Explain the star whispering thing before I start believing I've officially gone crazy."
Luke sat beside her.
"You're not crazy," he said.
"That's what every crazy person says."
He chuckled.
"I started hearing them four years ago," he explained quietly. "Right before I left Bukidnon."
Allyah frowned. "Why didn't you tell anyone?"
Luke stared at the flowing river. "Because who would believe me?"
She didn't answer.
The truth was... she probably wouldn't have believed him either.
"They don't talk all the time," he continued. "Only sometimes. Usually when something important is about to happen."
Allyah crossed her arms.
"Important like what?"
Luke looked at her.
"Like when someone important enters your life."
Her heart skipped.
Before she could reply, the wind shifted gently through the trees.
The sun began to dip lower in the sky, painting everything in warm golden light.
And then-
"Two hearts. One path." The whisper floated softly through the air.
Allyah gasped.
"Luke-did you hear-"
"I did."
They stared at each other.
Neither of them laughed this time.
Neither of them tried to explain it away.
The stars were speaking.
And somehow... they were speaking about them.
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- Writer
