Chapter Text
Lorena woke up with the biggest smile on her face. After watching the video message from Juquinha, her heart started pounding, and she felt like she might burst from the joy she couldn’t quite contain. after repeating “Bom dia” to herself and the universe, she lay there for a moment longer than usual, staring at the ceiling, replaying the sound of Juquinha voice, the way she smiled just for her.
After getting ready for the day, Lorena messaged Maggye to ask if she was up for brunch at their usual spot. Luckily for her, Maggye replied almost immediately with “10am?”, and Lorena replied with “Perfect”. She needed to talk to someone, and her best friend Maggye was the best person to share this with.
She floated downstairs only to be pulled back to earth by the curious look her mother gave her.
“So,” Zenilda said, eyeing her a little too knowingly, “where are you going? Of to meet your prince?”
“No, mãe,” Lorena answered quickly. “I am meeting Maggye for brunch, and then maybe we will go shopping”
Zenilda sighed, already resigned. “Well… I suppose I can still hope for a boyfriend and grandchildren someday.”
Lorena smiled softly, ignoring the comment for now, kissed her mother on the cheek, and grabbed her bag.
“Love you, Mrs Zenilda, see you later” she said lightly, waving as she headed out the door.
Once she stepped outside, the lightness returned and Lorena smiled into the sun. The cafe was just around the corner so, she walked just absorbing the beauty of the new day.
⸻
The café was already busy when Lorena arrived, it was a perfect day to sit outside, but Lorena picked a table inside what was a bit quieter to avoid being overheard. She ordered an orange juice and waited for her linda friend to arrive.
Maggye arrived ten minutes later, looking great as always.
“You have got that cara de quem ganhou o doce” Maggye said, sitting down.
Lorena smiled. “I have no idea what you are talking about my friend” Lorena answered with a mischievous smile.
“Uh-huh. And?”
Ignoring her friend, she took a sip of her orange juice. “How was LA?” she asked.
Maggye gave her the short version: castings, waiting, the strange intimacy of being judged by strangers. Lorena listened, nodding, asking questions. It felt right to start there. Normal things first.
When Maggye finished, she tilted her head. “Okay. My turn to ask.”
Before Maggye had the chance to say more, Lorena interrupted with “We kissed.”
Maggye blinked. Then smiled. Slowly. Like she had been waiting for this sentence her whole life.
“Bom,” she said, calm, generous. “Tell me everything.”
Lorena shook her head, smiling despite herself. “You did not even ask who, I kissed?”
“Juquinha, of course. I saw the way you two looked at each other at girls’ dinner and then she called me later that evening with some very strange excuse to get your number,” Maggye said.
Lorena laughed softly. “She asked you that same night, hasty mulher”.
Then her expression shifted, just slightly, it became softer, more serious.
“Yes. It is Juquinha,” Lorena said. “We have gone out a few times.”
She paused, choosing her words. “Our dates are easy. Comfortable. We talk. We laugh.”
Her smile returned, quieter now, as last night replayed itself in her mind. “And then,” she added, almost shyly, “last night she dropped me off. We flirted a little in the car… and then we kissed.”
Maggye didn’t rush her, only smiled softly.
“It feels so natural with her, like we have known each other forever, but also exciting, she gives me butterflies.” Lorena said.
She stared at her glass for a moment. “I have never felt like this,” she admitted. “Not because she is a woman. It is just…. The way she stays with me. Even without calls, messages, or the poem she sent.” Lorena said pointing to her heart, indicating she feels Juquinha there.
“She sent you a poem?” Maggye asked.
Lorena nodded. “Yes, this morning, she said I left saudade it in her heart, and I woke up with the same."
Maggye studied her. “What scares you?” Lorena didn’t dodge this time. “My father.”
There it was. Heavy, familiar.
"He won’t accept it," Lorena said. “If he finds out. He already controls enough of my life."
Maggye’s expression softened. “I know.”
Lorena could not help but think of the the kiss again, and of the way Juquinha had smiled afterward, like she hadn’t expected permission and was still grateful for it. This sealed her resolve, she wanted this.
“I want to see her again,” Lorena said. Maggye nodded. “Good.”
They sat in silence for a moment, the café buzzing around them.
Then Maggye added, gently, “And when you’re ready to tell the rest of the story, about who you are, you won’t be alone.”
Lorena answered softly, "Thank you". Then took a sip of her juice. The sweetness stayed. So did the feeling.