Time had a way of moving forward without asking permission, but for Damien and Alina, it felt like their little town had stayed frozen in time. The familiar streets, the old playground, even the creaky porch steps on Alina's house; they all stayed the same. But the two of them? They were changing in ways that neither could ignore.
At twelve, everything began to shift. Gone were the days of climbing trees without a second thought or racing to the lake without a care in the world. Puberty had arrived, unapologetic and overwhelming.
For Alina, the changes came swiftly and without warning. One morning, she stood in front of the mirror, tugging at her shirt, confused by the way it fit differently. Her chest had started to grow, and with it came an entirely new reality she hadn't been prepared for. Then came her first period; a confusing, painful mess that left her feeling out of control. The cramps, the blood, the embarrassment of it all; it was like stepping into a world she didn't quite understand.
Meanwhile, Damien was dealing with his own awkward transformations. He woke up one morning to find his legs had stretched out so much he barely fit into his favorite pair of jeans. His voice cracked at the most inconvenient moments, leaving him red-faced and mortified in class. Every glance in the mirror revealed a stranger staring back- a lanky boy with freckles who didn't quite know what to do with himself.
But through all the awkwardness and uncertainty, one thing remained constant: they had each other.
A Quiet Moment
One afternoon, Damien found Alina sitting on the porch steps of her house, hugging her knees to her chest. Her usual spark was missing. The Alina he knew; the girl who always had something witty to say or a bright smile to give; looked distant, almost lost.
"Sunshine?" he asked softly, using the nickname he had given her years ago. "You okay?"
She gave him a half-hearted smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."
He frowned, sitting beside her. "You don't look fine. Is something wrong?"
Alina hesitated. She hated feeling vulnerable, even with Damien. Especially with Damien. "It's nothing, really. Just... girl stuff."
Damien blinked, unsure what that even meant. "Girl stuff?"
She rolled her eyes, a flicker of her usual sass returning. "Yes, Damien. Girl stuff. Don't worry about it."
But Damien did worry. That night, over dinner, he brought it up to his mom. "Mom, I think Alina's going through something. She looks uncomfortable but won't talk about it. What can I do to help her?"
His mom smiled knowingly. "Sweetheart, it sounds like she might be starting her period. It can be uncomfortable for girls, especially at first. Sometimes a little chocolate or kindness can go a long way."
The next day, Damien showed up at Alina's door holding a small chocolate bar. He handed it to her without saying much, his freckled face slightly red.
"What's this?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Just... thought it might make you feel better," he mumbled.
Alina stared at him for a moment before breaking into a real smile, the kind that lit up her entire face. "You're such a weirdo," she said, but there was warmth in her voice as she took the chocolate.
"Yeah, well, my mom said it helps. If you need anything else, just let me know. Like... girl stuff, or whatever," he added, fumbling over the words.
Alina laughed softly. "Thanks, freckled face."
It wasn't much, but it was enough.
Diverging Paths
By sixteen, Damien and Alina were no longer the awkward preteens who'd stumbled through puberty together. Damien had grown tall and lean, his freckled face now framed by a confident grin that seemed to make girls swoon wherever he went. He was charming, effortlessly cool, and had the kind of popularity that didn't require trying.
Alina, on the other hand, had become a force to be reckoned with. Her sharp mind and determined spirit had earned her top grades and the respect of every teacher. Where Damien thrived on attention, Alina thrived on ambition. She had dreams, and she wasn't about to let anything—or anyone—stand in her way.
One afternoon, they sat together on the bench near the school gate, as they often did. The sun dipped low in the sky, casting golden hues over the pavement.
"So, any big plans this weekend?" Alina asked, her tone casual as she flipped through a textbook.
"Probably hanging out with the guys," Damien replied, leaning back with that trademark grin of his. "What about you? Studying again?"
"Obviously." She snapped her book shut and turned to face him. "Some of us actually care about the future."
Damien chuckled, shaking his head. "You've got to lighten up, Sunshine. Not everything has to be about school."
"And not everything has to be about impressing girls," she shot back, her words cutting but not cruel.
He winced. "Ouch."
Alina sighed, softening her tone. "Look, Damien, I get it. You like the attention. But don't lose yourself in it. You're better than that. Don't waste your time chasing people who don't care about you."
For a moment, Damien was silent. Her words lingered, sinking deeper than he wanted to admit.
"I'll think about it," he finally said, his grin returning, though a little less sure.
Alina smirked, picking up her textbook again. "Good. Someone has to keep you in check."