Hespero

On the cold night of June, in the small town called Valencia, a young woman named Leonora was wandering along with the stars above her head, in a dark place where she kept her fantasies with. Leonora had long, flowing auburn hair that danced in the wind like a cascade of autumn leaves, and her eyes sparkled with a deep, enchanting green. She loves the stars so much that every night, she would lay in the green grass for hours. However, there's this one star that always catches her attention. The bright star that was always seen on the western part of the sky.

Leonora always admired the way it shines. It was like eyes that had something to say to her. But as she realized it was almost dawn, she decided to head back home. She immediately got up from laying down on the green grass.

But as she got up, someone suddenly collided with someone. Leonora fell to the ground, feeling pain and frustration. "Oh could you please watch where you're going–" she was suddenly stunned as she met those eyes. Fireflies started flying everywhere as the young man got up and also met her gaze. And as they gaze into each other's eyes, Leonora felt like there were fireflies inside her. It felt like the world had stopped. The fireflies made the man's eyes shimmer, and as you looked deeply to them, it looked like stars. And for a moment, Leonora came back to her senses, "Aren't you going to apologize?" she asked, feeling frustrated. The young man was still flabbergasted, not until they heard someone yelling "Callisto!". Leonora was about to look for the owner of the voice when the young man suddenly pulled her to hide in the bushes. "What are you–" Leonora was again cut off when the young man covered her mouth. "Be quiet," he whispered in her ear.

The voice kept yelling a name and somehow, Leonora found the voice familiar, but she was still unsure of it. And, after the voice was gone, she removed the young's hand as Leonora's eyebrows furrowed. "What was that for?!" thoughts ran to her mind, "Are you a thief or something?".

The young man unbelievably looked at her, "Do you really think I'm a thief, with this face?"

Leonora in her mind thought "What does he mean 'with this face?"

Leonora then scoffed, "Whatever, I'm leaving." she said and got up. But before she walked away, the young man asked, "What's your name?".

She turned to him and said, "And why should I tell you?" He then ignored the young woman's question, "Callisto." he says. "My name is Callisto, and I swear I'm not a thief. And the person yelling earlier was my cousin. I'm sorry for crashing into you earlier, I didn't mean it. I was just trying to hide," he added. His name then became familiar to Leonora, thinking about where she heard that name. She shook her head and looked at him. "Apology accepted." she replied and walked away.

The young man, who was named Callisto, just chuckled and looked around, making sure he would remember the place. He was left curious yet interested with the identity of the young lady.

The next day, Leonora went to the Estrella's mansion, to her best friend named Isabela Estrella. The two sat on the living room couch and Leonora then told Isabela everything that had happened to her and the young man last night.

Isabela then became curious, "Interesting, did you get his name?" Leonora was about to answer when someone came down the stairs. It was Isabela's brother, Felip, a young handsome man with long hair with a serious face.

"Holy God, what a good morning." Leonora in her thoughts.

"Good morning, Felip." Isabela greeted him.

"Morning." Felip replied, he then turned to Leonora who was sitting across Isabela, "Good morning, Leonora." He said as he smiled at the young lady and left.

Leonora found herself blushing, she was infatuated with this boy since they were kids. Others would find Felip intimidating because of his looks, but he has this sweet and soft personality towards the people he interacts with, especially to elders. And until now, Leonora hasn't admitted her admiration towards Felip.

As Leonora decides to head back home, they again hear footsteps on the staircases. "I forgot to tell you! Remember our cousin that lives in Valverde? He just recently moved here into the town last night. Let me introduce him to you."

They then both watch the young man go down the stairs, until Leonora recognizes that familiar figure. He had raven-black hair that framed his face, and his eyes were as deep as the night. And as their eyes met for the second time, this time it's full of shock. "You again?!" they both yelled, leaving Isabela confused. "You two already met?" Both of them ignored Isabela's question, still in shock at each other's presence.

"Are you stalking me?" Callisto said that made Leonora's eyes widened.

"How dare you accuse me of that! If you should know, Isabella and I here are best friends. How should I know that you two are cousins?" she then scoffed, "Whatever, I'm heading home." She then went out of the mansion feeling pissed.

What a small world. Who knew that these strangers who just randomly met last night are somehow mutuals with their favorite people?

"Hey, tomato head!"

Leonora furrowed her eyebrows. Did he just call me tomato head?

"What did you just call me?" She looked back at him, like she was ready to throw tomatoes at him.

He smiled teasingly "So.. Leonora, huh? What an elegant name for a tough girl."

Leonora just rolled her eyes at him and walked away. Callisto just watched her as he kept the smile.