Hespero

Leonora Hesperides

And as the night came, Leonora decided to go back to her secret place. She peacefully stargazed there for hours, not until she saw Callisto from afar. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “I want peace as well,” he replied. She felt the sincerity between his words. He sound tired. Callisto then layed on the grass beside her and let out a sigh. They were both silently admiring and gazing at the stars, not letting a single word out of their mouths. Callisto then got up and decided to head back without leaving a word. Leonora got up being confused with his actions. She then just decided to not think about it and got back to star gazing.

The following days were still the same. Callisto would tease Leonora everyday until she gets pissed. And at night, he would lay beside her and silently gaze at the stars, then he would leave Leonora without a word.

"Callisto, do you know that you're absolutely annoying?" Leonora sarcastically stated with a fake smile.

"No. But I do know that I enjoy annoying you." he smirked as he leaned on the railing. "You look like a mad cat when you get walk away."

Leonora just scoffed at him as she walked past at him. One day, Callisto. I'll get back at you one day.

That set up continued for two weeks, not until something finally changed. As expected, Callisto again silently appeared at Leonora’s spot, and as usual, Leonora never let out a word. She would simply let Callisto lay beside her and admire the stars. Minutes after, Callisto finally broke the silence, “I never wished to be here.” he stated. Leonora went all ears, “Why are you here then?” she asked, getting curious.

Callisto then told Leonora everything. He explained that he had to move here for their family business, and how they needed Isabela and Felip’s family. He then told how he was always compared to his cousins, especially Felip, saying Felip was better than him. He then said that the reason why he was hiding that night was because he was tired of his family comparing himself to his cousins. Leonora can’t help but feel bad for Callisto’s situation.

“Don’t let their words bring you down, you know what you’re capable of. Don’t let yourself drown along with those problems, learn how to ignore their words and be unbothered by what they say towards you. You know yourself, and you know that you’re unique in your own way.”

Callisto then looked at her, he stared deeply at her green emerald eyes. “Thank you,” he smiled. Leonora then smiled back, feeling glad that her words somehow helped Callisto.

“Let me introduce myself again. Callisto Estrella, son of the known Dr. Ronaldo Estrella.” Callisto stated, reaching out his hand. Leonora then smiled, “Leonora– Leonora Hespiredes, the only daughter of the Hesperides. My parents are both doctors as well.” she says introducing herself. “It was nice meeting you.” he whispered as they both put a smile on their faces.

They then continued stargazing until they felt satisfied. It was a night to remember for both of them.

They both felt safe and warm within each other’s presence, not clearly knowing the reason why.

“I found out you like Felip.”

Leonora was stunned and immediately got up. “How did you—” then, she realized what was going on. “Isabela told you?!”

Callisto bursted out laughing. “No, but I did see it in your eyes. Have you ever confessed, or are you just a scaredy cat like Isabela?”

“What?! No. Pfft. I just don’t know how, I don’t know when, and I don’t know where.” Leonora looked away. Callisto was not wrong. The young lady is scared of rejection, and the thought of humiliation makes her frightened. “I have liked him since we were kids. He’s just so cool, kind, and he really is soft towards me.”

“Maybe he likes you.”

Leonora hit his shoulder, “Come on, boy, don’t get my hopes up.”

Since then, both of them have felt comfortable with each other. They spend the following nights stargazing and getting to know each other including their hobbies, their favorite food, pet peeves, and the things they want to achieve in life. They found out that they had many similarities including their love for stars, writing, and same taste in music. They also had the same mindset and thoughts on different kinds of things that made them closer. Because of this, the two bonded more and they spent more time with each other. They were finally telling each other’s secrets and promised to keep them until their last breath.

They would always go out and randomly show up to each other’s house. That went on for months, until they called themselves as best friends. Day by day, they would learn something new from each other.

“Are you two falling for each other?” Leonora then confusedly looked at Isabela. “I already told you, Isabela. We’re just friends.”

They both looked at Callisto dancing from afar with the people on the street. Leonora couldn't deny that his smile somehow makes her shine bright as if she's looking at the young man like a star. She loved seeing him in delight. That look isn't any similar to her eyes when she looks at Felip, her gaze towards Callisto is just different.

“Eyes never lie, Leonora. I could see it sparkle every time you talked about him.” she then smiled teasingly, making Leonora roll her eyes. “Whatever you say, Isabela.” Her best friend then giggled, “Okay, if you say so. "I’m heading back, it’s getting late,” Isabela then left.

"Leonora!" she heard Callisto. "Let's dance!"

She chuckled. "But I don't know how to dance—" she went speechless when Callisto pulled her into the streets. "Callisto!" she giggled as she tried to dance with Callisto holding her hand tightly. He danced gracefully as she guided Leonora through the steps.

As she twirled her around, Leonora unluckily had a bad step and they both got out of balance.

Leonora was currently on top of him, both of them dumbfounded. As they gazed into each other’s eyes, their heartbeats weirdly had the same rhythm. It was like their hearts became one.

“Are you okay?” Callisto breathlessly asked. He never been so close to Leonora, not even close to her face. She’s really making me feel weird.

Leonora immediately got up. What was that, Leonora? “Y-yeah, I’m fine.”

They both shrugged it off, feeling awkward. Yeah, that was awkward.

“Let’s get some ice cream!” Callisto then bit his lip and walked away leaving Leonora a bit dumbfounded. She found herself thinking, reminding herself that she likes Felip and not a guy called Callisto.

“Hey, Leonora.” she then turned to see Felip walking towards her direction. For a moment she forgot what had happened. “Have you seen Isabela?”

“O-Oh yeah.. she left a few minutes ago.” she responded. But why does it seem that nothing’s sparkling now? Where did it go? What’s going on with me today? Don’t tell me..