Atasha's POV
The sky was painted in soft hues of gold and blush as we walked quietly down the cobbled path. The silence wasn't tense anymore—it was soft, like a gentle pause between pages. Antonio matched my pace, his hands tucked in his pockets, a little more relaxed than usual. I glanced at him and caught the flicker of a smile tugging at his lips. It made something flutter in me, something I wasn't quite ready to name.
We ended up at a quiet little café near the park. It was warm inside, the aroma of roasted coffee and fresh pastries filling the air. We took a seat near the window, watching the world pass by. Antonio leaned back and, for the first time, let himself open up. He told me stories from his childhood—how he used to be the neighborhood mischief-maker, always climbing trees, pulling harmless pranks, and nearly giving his poor mother heart attacks with his stunts. I laughed more than I had in weeks, the sound surprising even me.
Then he asked softly, "What about you? What did you miss the most while you were away?"
I hesitated for a second, then replied, "Luna." Her name fell gently from my lips. "She wasn't just a friend—she was like a sister. We always promised to be there for each other, but I left without a proper goodbye. Sometimes, I still expect to turn around and see her waiting at the gate, waving with that goofy grin."
Antonio didn't say anything right away, but I saw the way he took that in, quietly. His expression softened—thoughtful, like a plan forming behind those deep brown eyes. I didn't know it then, but something in him shifted. As I stared out the window, lost in memories of Luna, he was already thinking of ways to bring her back into my life… just in time for my birthday.
Antonio's's POV
Her voice lingered in my ears long after she said Luna's name. There was a different light in Atasha's eyes when she spoke about her. It wasn't just nostalgia—it was longing, guilt, and hope all wrapped in one. I watched her from across the café table as she absentmindedly traced the rim of her cup. Her usual spark had dimmed a little since she returned, and now I finally understood a piece of why.
I leaned back, thoughts racing. I couldn't change the past—couldn't undo the pain I caused her—but I could try to bring back a piece of her light. If Luna meant that much to her, then I'd find her, no matter how far she was. Maybe this was my way of telling Atasha that her happiness mattered—that her people mattered to me too.
Later that evening, while Atasha went home, I pulled out my phone and reached out to every possible mutual contact I could remember. It took hours of messages, a few old school group chats, and one lucky reply from an acquaintance to finally trace Luna's social handle. Her account was quiet, but active. She was still around. I typed out a message, deleted it, and rewrote it five times before hitting send.
> "Hey Luna, it's Antonio… I know this might come out of nowhere, but I'd really like to talk to you. It's about Selene."
I sat staring at the screen, nervous in a way I hadn't expected. This wasn't just about a surprise. This was about helping Atasha heal—to show her that the people she loved hadn't forgotten her, that the version of her she thought was left behind still existed in the hearts of others.
If this worked, maybe… just maybe, I'd get to see her smile again—the real one. The one that made everything feel right.