Hespero

Theater

As days passed, things got a little thrilling. It was a peaceful afternoon. Leonora paced back and forth, a crumpled piece of parchment clutched in her hand.

Isabela, sprawled comfortably on Leonora’s bed, watched with amusement. “Okay, let’s do it one more time,” Isabela announced. “And… action!”

Leonora cleared her throat, her voice a nervous tremor. “Felip… I… I have something to tell you. Something I’ve… kept hidden for a long time.” She paused, wringing her hands. Isabela stifled a giggle.

Why can’t I find the words? This bet is making me go crazy!

“More feelings, Leo!” Isabela prompted, clapping her hands together. "You've been hiding this for years! Let it out!"

Leonora took a deep breath, trying to summon the courage she clearly lacked. “Felip, since we were children… I’ve… admired you. Your kindness, your… your seriousness. The way you always know what to say.” She faltered, her cheeks flushing crimson. “I… I’ve always liked you.”

Isabela nodded approvingly. “Better. Much better. But it needs… punch. More conviction. You’re not just liking him, Leonora. You’ve been harboring a secret crush for years!”

Leonora sighed, dropping onto the edge of her bed. “It’s just… so hard. What if he doesn’t feel the same way? What if he laughs?” The thought sent a fresh wave of panic through her.

Isabela rolled her eyes playfully. “He won’t laugh. Felip’s not that kind of guy. Trust me, he may not be a lover boy type, but he won’t do such a thing. Besides, you’re Leonora Hesperides. You’re amazing. He’d be a fool to miss out on you.”

Leonora managed a weak smile. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one confessing your undying love to the boy you’ve secretly adored since you were ten.”

“Well duh? Of course, I’m not into boys you know.” Isabela sat up, her playful demeanor replaced with a serious expression. “Look, Leo. Just be yourself. Don’t overthink it. Just tell him how you feel. The worst he can do is say no. And honestly, if he does, you’ll be better off knowing, right? Besides, I know my brother, he won’t humiliate you…”

Leonora nodded, a newfound determination flickering in her eyes. “You’re right. Okay, let’s try again. But this time… with feeling.”

She took another deep breath, her voice steadier now, stronger. “Felip,” she began, her voice ringing with a newfound confidence. “I need to tell you something. For years, I’ve kept this hidden, but I can’t anymore. Since we were children, I’ve admired you. Your kindness, your strength, your quiet gentleness… I’ve… I’ve been in love with you.” She paused, her heart pounding in her chest. This time, there was no faltering, no hesitation. This time, it felt real.

Isabela clapped, her eyes shining with pride. “That’s my girl! Now, let’s work on the ‘what if he says yes’ part.” She grinned mischievously. “Because, let’s be honest, he probably will.”

Leonora laughed, a genuine, lighthearted sound that banished the lingering nervousness. For the first time, the prospect of confessing didn't feel terrifying. It felt… exciting. The fear was still there, a small flicker in the corner of her mind, but it was overshadowed by a burgeoning hope, a thrilling anticipation of what might come next. With Isabela's help, she was ready.

They were writing a script when a maid knocked on their door, “Miss, there’s someone outside waiting for you.”

“Not again…” Leonora murmured as she looked through the window. She could already feel the bright and cheerful vibe outside, no other than the annoying Callisto. The ladies let out a sigh, already feeling tired of the thought of his energy.

She frowned, “I just can’t believe him. When we were kids, he was so serious and he would not even look at me. But now… look at him! It’s like he’s some puppy who could never live without smiling.”

We went down and saw Callisto on a bicycle. As soon as Callisto sees Leonora, his eyes lit up, making his excitement transparent. “Let’s go to the theater!”

“I can’t, I’m rehearsing for my confession,” Leonora whispered

Callisto hopped off his bicycle, leaning it against a nearby tree with a flourish. His smile was positively dazzling, a stark contrast to Leonora's exasperated expression.

"Wow, finally Leonora's ready to confess," he drawled, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "Calls for a celebration, doesn't it? Let's go to the theater! They're showing that new romance play, the one with the dramatic confession scene. Perfect timing, wouldn't you say?" He winked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Leonora rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "You're incorrigible," she muttered, but her tone lacked its usual sharpness. "And no, I'm not going to the theater. Do you think I want to lose the bet?"

Callisto feigned shock, placing a hand over his heart. "Oh come on! It's a romantic comedy! Think of it as… research. For your confession. You know, to see how a successful confession is done. It'll be like a masterclass!"

Leonora crossed her arms, “You’re so dramatic, you know that?”

Callisto looked at her with a lighthearted smirk, “You really don’t want the consequence, huh?”

She just rolled her eyes at him, “Oh shut up, Callisto.”

Isabela, who had been quietly observing the exchange, stifled a laugh. "He's got a point, Leo," she chimed in. "Besides, a little distraction might do you good. You've been stressing about this confession for weeks."

Leonora hesitated. Part of her wanted to refuse; she needed to focus. But Callisto's persistence, combined with Isabela's subtle encouragement, chipped away at her resolve. The thought of seeing a play about a successful confession, even if it was just a silly romantic comedy, was oddly appealing. It might help ease her nerves.

"Fine," she conceded, a sigh escaping her lips. "But only for a little while. And then it's back to practicing my lines."

Callisto whooped with delight, grabbing her hand and practically dragging her towards his bicycle. "Excellent! Hop on! We'll be there in a flash! Think of it as a pre-confession pep talk, courtesy of yours truly!" He grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Besides," he added in a conspiratorial whisper, "if you confess to Felip and he says no... well, you know what happens then, right?"

Leonora’s cheeks flushed, a mixture of annoyance and a strange, fluttering excitement in her stomach. She couldn’t deny that a part of her was looking forward to the distraction. And perhaps, just perhaps, seeing a woman successfully confess her love on stage might give her the courage she needed. She climbed onto the bicycle, settling behind Callisto.

“Really? You two will just leave me here alone?” Isabela turned to them with a frown. But as she turned, they both left the place immediately. “Ugh why did they even invent those bicycles?!” she complained and then sighed. “I guess I’ll be walking home.”

And when the inseparable duo arrived at the theater, they both got off the bicycle. “The person who invented bicycles with pedals should be getting praise everyday, don’t you think?!” Callisto, impressed with the new invention that had been invented.”

The theater was dark, the stage bathed in a soft, romantic glow. The actress playing the lead, a young woman named Rosalia, was pouring her heart out to her beloved Lorenzo. Leonora, initially focused on the overall pacing of the confession for her own upcoming attempt, found herself captivated by a particular line.

Rosalia, her voice trembling with a mixture of hope and fear, confessed, “I never thought I’d find someone who could make me laugh so hard, who could make my heart race just by looking at me… someone who, despite all my flaws, still sees the good in me.”

The line resonated deeply within Leonora. It wasn't just the words themselves; it was the emotion behind them, the raw vulnerability, the quiet strength. Leonora realized that those words, while spoken by Rosalia, perfectly described her feelings... but not for Felip.

A wave of confusion washed over her. She glanced at Callisto, who sat beside her, completely absorbed in the play. His profile was illuminated by the stage lights, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw and the gentle curve of his lips. He was completely engrossed in the performance, yet his presence beside her felt comforting, a familiar warmth in the otherwise dark theater.

The line echoed in her mind again: someone who could make me laugh so hard, who could make my heart race just by looking at me. Callisto did that. He made her laugh until her sides ached, and his teasing, while often infuriating, sent a strange, thrilling flutter through her chest. He saw her flaws, her insecurities, her anxieties, yet he still seemed to accept her, to cherish her, in his own chaotic, unpredictable way.

Felip, with his quiet gentleness and unwavering kindness, was everything she had ever thought she wanted. He was safe, predictable, comforting. But Callisto… Callisto was a whirlwind, a chaotic storm of laughter, teasing, and unexpected moments of vulnerability. He was everything she thought she shouldn't want, yet he was the one who made her heart race, the one who made her feel truly seen.

Why does love have to be this complicated?