CAMILO
Sofia's stunning hazel eyes stare right back at me, a mesmerizing forest green, unmoving. Her face so close, yet still so far.
The sound of children laughing echo off in the distance, further down the road, along with music and people talking. But all of it comes off muted, as if the two of us exist in our own little bubble, alone here at the park.
My heart pounds hard in my ears. I gulp and reach out to cup her cheek, a part of me feeling the need to in order to prove that this is real, she is real, not some strange, delightful dream I've made up.
Her eyelids flutter with a quick intake of breath.
The feel of her cold skin on my palm tickles like electricity prickling into my veins. A current that grows, spreads, pulls.
I want to get closer. I want to feel this tickling more. I want to—
My focus falls on her parted lips.
They become like a beacon, serving as the light, guiding me in. Rescuing me from a storm I didn't even know I was escaping from. I move into them slow, leaning further and further onto my side, propping my left arm under me to get a better angle. Sofia closes her eyes.
I shut mine.
The distance dissolves.
Our lips press softly against each other. For a moment, frozen, the tingling sensation now warming and overtaking my lips. Lighting popping fireworks within my brain.
Dazed by the wonderfulness of it, I pull back slightly to look at Sofia.
Her lidded gaze meets mine, appearing just as clouded and content as I feel.
It's all I need to see to lean in once more.
Our lips brush against each other. Once. Twice. The tickling persisting. Spreading to my heart, my whole chest. The fireworks continuing, getting stronger, more elaborate, as if there's a thousand sparklers going off in my head themselves.
By the time we stop, and I pull back again, I'm breathless.
How?
Why?
I didn't even realize I wasn't breathing. Yet . . .
"There you two are!"
We both jump.
In an instant, we sit up straight, and I whirl around, eyes wide, cheeks aflame.
Alejandro's stomping over to us from the nearby street, his fists balled up by his sides, a firm glare plastered on his face. "Do you know I've been looking everywhere for you?" He points a hand at Sofia.
"I-I'm sorry. We were just . . . I-"
Alejandro grabs her by the wrist and tugs her up. "Come on. Let's go. Now."
Sofia pulls herself away. "Wait. I-" She glimpses over at me.
"You, what?" Alejandro steps closer to her, scowling.
"Hey, just calm down for a sec, buddy." I hop to my feet, hands raised up between us.
"Calm down? I don't need you to tell me to calm down." He shoves me in the chest. The first time with one hand, the second him charging forward with both. I catch his arms at this point, but then he lunges, pushing both of us hard back against the grass. We land with a loud thud, Alejandro straddled over me, grabbing me by my feather chestpiece.
"Al! Guys! Stop it!" Sofia shouts, as I grab firmly onto his wrists, kick one of his thighs out from under him, and roll him over.
He grunts, glares at me, then teleports.
Something hits me in the side. I topple over, wincing, grasping at the aching spot, right next to my stomach.
I look up to find Alejandro now standing over me. Fuming.
He moves to kick me again.
I shapeshift into one of the village kids, roll out of the way, then—changing back—bolt up to my feet.
Alejandro stalks toward me. His rage unyielding.
Panting, I stand my ground, prepared to defend myself, if I must.
Two steps in, a huge gust from the right blows past and knocks Alejandro flat over.
I gape at his sprawled out form, wide eyed, mouth agape.
He blinks and sits up in the grass.
We both face the direction the wind came. Sofia's standing there, one arm outstretched, the other hand clenched, mid-air. She glares at Alejandro with a fury I never thought possible from her. "Would you cut it out?!" she yells, holding herself tall, chin tilted upward.
Her eyes fill with tears.
Then, the instant they fall, she vanishes. Disappearing into thin air.
"Sofia! Wait!" Alejandro clamors to his feet.
We both glance around the park, trying to spot her. But no matter how hard either of us look, she's gone. Run away somewhere while invisible.