They can be seen among the treetops, even in cracks between buildings subtly hidden from view. Caterpillars are insects that are often disliked by the judgmental gaze of people, but once they emerge from their cocoon flapping their wings, no one remembers the plump caterpillar more when they see the butterfly fly through the skies.
No human being is ready for changes, no matter how much he tries to lie to himself saying that he can achieve it without problems. A little taller each day, a few inches of hair grown, the subtlety of affirming the characters of your own gender. When it comes to imperceptible changes in a short period of time, it is normal to turn the page and firmly say that it is normal.
But it is not the same when those changes stop being small steps to tip to become strides. Even more so when these changes are so sudden that they destroy the image within the picture that we have become accustomed to observing.
Turning the page with a little more confidence, Emilio decided to accept his condition with the hope set on the promise that Mr. Alfonso made him at the police station. Hiding that deal from his mother until the time came, the young man fully fulfilled his promise and continued to attend high school as if nothing was happening around him.
Every morning when he got up, the young man observed himself naked before the mirror in his room, trying to have the door lock on. Taking the tape measure, day after day she passed that plastic strip over her chest to measure the increase in her breasts and the width of her hips.
At times the slight touch on her nipples made her let out a moan, which she quickly drowned out, covering her mouth with her hand trying not to alert Ágata.
Following a strict regimen of monitoring, before breakfast on her desk she had prepared the painkillers that were provided to her in the gynecological office affiliated with the TCG program. Which he rigorously attended once a week after leaving school, making sure that his classmates did not notice what was happening around him.
- "Richard! What the hell are you doing? Pass the ball to Héctor, he is discovered "
- "Shut your damn mouth Ruben! Can't you see they're doing personal marking on me. Why don't you at least try to get off your butt and play the wheel?" – As every day during the course of physical education classes, Emilio remained seated on the floor of the gym watching the practices.
With the help of the TCG management offices, she was provided medical records with symptoms of non-suspicious ailments, in order to skip activities that could inadvertently reveal the evolution of her female characters. Dressed in a green sweatshirt with the high school shield, the boy hid the growth of his breasts with the help of a bandage that compressed it, causing him discomfort.
- "Emilio, is something wrong with you? Why don't you drink some of my water?" – Seeing the slightly flushed face of the young man, a concerned classmate approached him, extending her arm to offer him a bottle of cold water.
- "It's nothing Esther, I just feel a little cold. Since morning I have had this problem with my allergies there is nothing to worry about"
- "Still, I think you should go to the infirmary to rest. If you want, I can tell the teacher to let me accompany you" – Behind a pair of glasses with circular lenses, Esther's turquoise eyes had an uneasy expression when she saw Emilio's face.
Just like Tomas and Rubén, the young woman had known him since her elementary school years. Being a friend who, due to her shy nature, kept her distance from the boys. Only approaching Emilio when he was alone.
- "Careful!" – Without giving them time to react, the basketball was thrown hard against Emilio's chest. Who took her hands with force bending her knees giving a heartbreaking scream that deafened the gym.
- "Rubén, look what you did asshole!"
- "Come on man I tried to give you a pass. It's not my fault he was there, it wasn't intentional."
- "What was not intentional? Damned bastard if I saw the expression in your eyes when you looked at where Emilio was!"
- "If you have the balls to support that accusation, confront me Ricardo"
- "Enough with you two! They are in my class and they will maintain discipline, whether they like it or not, you pieces of idiots"- Getting between the two young people to separate them, the subject teacher struggled to contain Rubén, who did not stop throwing himself at Ricardo to hit him.
- "Miss, do me a favor. Take the boy to the infirmary for the doctor to check him, I don't want a major incident to arise." – Even in the face of Emilio's refusal, the young woman took him by the shoulder to support him so that he could walk.
Her face was full of pain as Emilio continued to press her left arm against her chest to prevent Esther from noticing the lumps on her breasts.
- "Doctor, please help me, he received a very strong blow to the chest and has not stopped complaining" - Almost collapsing due to the throbbing pain that constricted his chest, Emilio whispered to Esther to please leave him alone with the manager from the infirmary.
Worried to the point of clinging to him, the young woman refused to obey him until the doctor approached them to ask her to leave them alone to check him properly.
Closing the office door, the doctor took the young man to one of the stretchers and was about to unzip his sweatshirt, when Emilio held his wrist tightly with his eyes full of panic.
- "Calm down, I have already seen the chest of many boys who come to be treated for injuries during club practices. I won't laugh at you for being skinny, I'm not that bad" – Slightly annoyed by the young man's attitude, the doctor forcefully pulled the zipper of the sweatshirt, revealing the boy's sweaty shirt. To his surprise, a makeshift bandage could be seen behind the soaked cloth, as if it were treating an injury.
- "How is it that you have hurt yourself so much, little boy? I'm going to take off your shirt, I need to properly review what happened to you, don't resist."
- "I beg you, don't do it" - At the moment the doctor removed the chest bandage, a pair of small breasts with the skin marked by the bandage fabric showed visible and throbbing redness.
- "Seriously you are a fool. How could you have squeezed your breasts so much without taking the slightest care for the blood supply?"
- "Excuse me?"
- "That? Are you deaf? I told you that, oh I see. Do you wonder why I am not surprised by your condition? – Pulling a stool to the side of the bed, the doctor sat in front of Emilio and began to explain that all doctors assigned to educational institutions, both public and private, were sent by the government to handle GTC cases on a discretionary basis .
At the doctor's explanation, the young man felt a deep relief, completely relaxing knowing that his condition would not be discovered inside the school.
- "Since you have calmed down, I am going to start listening to you. Feel with my fingertips giving light tapping and you will tell me if there is an uncomfortable sensation. I need to verify if there isn't a thrombus produced by your attempt to bandage and that shot you received from the ball" - When he felt the subtle touch of the doctor on his chest, Emilio began to feel a little uneasy as those fingers moved over his skin without detach.
- "Does it hurt here?"
- "Not much doctor"
- "And here?" – Applying a little pressure on the areola of the breast, the doctor gave a light tap to finish the checkup. But it was at that moment that Emilio yelled, drawing the attention of Esther who was still outside the office.
- "Emilio, are you okay?" – Opening the curtain suddenly, Emilio's naked back was exposed to the young woman's eyes. Who could see that feminine chest that clashed with the masculine image he had of his classmate.
- "Emilio, perhaps you?"
- "Little girl! Why did you sneak into the office when I told you to stay out? Get out of here right now and try to keep your mouth shut. I have enough authority to get you expelled from this school and even inform the government about you" - With her eyes brimming with tears, the expression of bewilderment and fear on Esther's face disturbed Emilio who tried to take her hand when She started to run, taking her hands to her face to hide her pain.
- "Why did you do that?"
- "How, why? It's my job to monitor and cover GTC patients."
- "But she is my friend"
- "And I am a government official who can help you or make you a life of little squares, boy. So you better control yourself right now, I'm saying it for your own good" – With an energetic countenance facing the young man, the doctor stood in his way preventing him from running to catch up with Esther.
- "It's not fair"
- "Life is not fair child, get over it." - Exhaling a little, tilting her head, shaking her hair, the doctor sighed, clicking her tongue and then throwing the clothes to the young man who was sitting on the bed.
- "It's true, they're just brats. I shouldn't have gone overboard with her, but I'm serious. I try to protect you from this. How much do you need for your transfer? Three months? Take my advice and stay away from that girl. Try to cut your ties, in the end you will have to do it to start your identity reassignment process" – Hastily dressing in the shirt and sweatshirt, Emilio walked to the office door and stopped for a moment to confront the doctor .
- "You can give me any advice you want and I appreciate it. But I decide if I want to take them or not" – With a withering look from the side, the young man left the office and began to run through the corridors desperately looking for Esther, asking the rest of the students for her whereabouts.
Breathing hard and his legs almost numb from going up and down the stairs, Emilio leaned against one of the walls for a moment while he continued to put his hand on his chest, which heaved with each breath.
- "Emilio, how are you?"
- "Ricardo, tell me, have you seen Esther?"
- "Yes, old man, I saw her running to the backyard where we have the vegetables from the economic cooking class. But what happens?
- "I'm sorry, I'll tell you later. I promise" – Continuing his frantic run through the school, Emilio reached the vegetable area and looked in all directions in search of the young woman who had run away from him.
Under the shade of an acacia tree, the delicate silhouette of a student was leaning against the trunk of the tree crying bitterly holding her glasses to her chest. That distant image in sight, forcefully penetrated Emilio's heart. Who slowly approached without making noise to where Esther was.
- "Esther?"
- "Leave me alone!"
- "Esther, please listen to me"
- "What do you want me to listen to? Did you come to make fun of me? Are you going to threaten me like that doctor?"
- "No, that is not my intention"
- "Do you really consider me your friend?"
- "Yes, I have always considered you my best friend"
- "Then why do you leave me out of your life?" – Crying with a feeling of bitterness in her heart, the young woman pounced on Emilio, knocking him down on the ground. With her delicate body leaning against his, Esther brought her hands to the level of Emilio's head. With her face bathed in tears and her eyes swollen, the young woman lightly held the boy's cheeks. Who felt how the warm tears fell on his face stunned by the impression.
- "I would never do anything that could hurt you"
- "I know, believe me I know."
- "Then stop moving me out of your way and let me support you"
- "I can't Esther, I really don't want to drag my friend down this path"
- "Do you not understand or are you stupid Emilio?" - Suddenly the young woman's lips settled on Emilio's lips, who experienced a bittersweet sensation inside that was accompanied by the feelings transmitted by that kiss.
- "For a long time I have loved you in silence. I love your smile, your jokes, I love everything about you Emilio."
- "I, I don't know what to tell you Esther. I never knew you had these feelings towards me."
- "That's why I tell you that you are a fool. How could you know if I have loved you in silence, being like a butterfly that only flies to your shadow when everyone has left?
- "My body is changing Esther. It will not change for that of a boy who develops to become a man. I will be a girl who will become a woman"
- "I do not care about that! Boy or girl, you will always be Emilio" – The words coming from the inside of the young woman hit Emilio's heart. Who for a long time feared to face rejection and embraced the impending loneliness that was coming into his life.
Like a shipwrecked person clinging to a plank in an inclement rough sea, Esther's words were like a rope that was thrown into his hands that yearned to be rescued from that feeling of emptiness that consumed him at night.
- "Won't you regret loving me?"
- "Will you give me a reason to do it Emilio?" – Leaning her forehead against the young man's, Esther looked into his eyes with an air of sincerity followed by a kiss on the cheek, helping him get up by brushing off the pieces of grass that had stuck to his uniform.
- "How much time do you have left before leaving?"
- "Counting the exams about three more months"
- "Then let's make many memories together as a couple before you leave Emilio. Enough to treasure while I wait for you to return to my side."
- "I'll be back in a year. So let's do a lot of things together to remember each other." - Taking her hand gently, Emilio kissed Esther and they began to walk towards the restrooms of the main building so that she could wash her face before entering the room.
- "I won't be long, wait for me outside" - With a subtle smile on her lips, Esther entered the bathroom while Emilio leaned against the wall with his heart still beating intensely with emotion.
- "It seems that the blow was not so serious for you to be playing boyfriends with the four-eyed girl" - As if it were the threatening hiss of a snake, that familiar voice made Emilio react instinctively turning his face to face Face with Ruben With a malicious expression in his eyes, the boy took Emilio by the face, threateningly bringing his face closer to his.
- "That is not of you incumbence"
- "Oh, it seems that lately you have acquired guts, little princess. Before you only stayed trembling when you saw me angry, but now you challenge me. I think I should remind you who's up and who's down."
- "Of course I remember it very well Rubén. Who is above is Mr. Alfonso" – Enraged by Emilio's reaction and words, Rubén hit Emilio against the wall maintaining his threatening aura over the young man. Who, unlike the past, maintained a temper infused by the courage given by the hope in the horizon that was opening up for him.
- "You're right, that damn old man made a scandal in the house and warned me not to lay a single hand on you. That decrepit thinks he's put me on a leash as if I were a lap dog that obeys orders without a word.
Yes, I can't use the photos to intimidate you anymore. But I have many other more subtle ways of screwing up your life this year that we have left of high school" – Lowering his face while laughing slightly, Emilio took Rubén's wrist and looked up defiantly.
- "Yes Rubén, we have one more year to see each other's faces. How could I forget, what a fool I am"
- "I'm ready. Shall we go to the living room?" - Leaving at that moment, Esther's face caught the attention of Rubén, who let go of Emilio when he was surprised by the appearance of the young woman without her glasses.
- "I had not seen you well. But you are very pretty four eyes"
- "My name is Esther, not four eyes." - Taking Emilio's hand, the young woman turned her face ignoring Rubén, who angrily kicked the wall while putting his hand to his neck.
- "Was that jerk threatening you?"
- "Don't worry, on the contrary. I'm more afraid that I might do something to you"
- "Emilio, silly boy. Who can mess with a policeman's daughter? Don't you remember that my dad works in the department as an agent? I don't think that animal is so stupid as to look for such a serious problem" - Raising her hand to her mouth while laughing, Esther looked into Emilio's eyes, who felt a series of new sensations in her heart when she heard that same laugh that she had heard for years. back shared with her.
When the classes finished, the two young people took their belongings and decided to go together to the bus stop. Sharing their path as they talked about their plans for the future and the dreams they wanted to fulfill in life.
- "Esther, I'll get off at the next stop"
- "So today is one of those days when you have to go to the clinic?"
- "Yes, it is for the routine check-up. By the way, I'll ask the doctor to check the lesion on my chest."
- "Well, if there is no remedy then we will have to say goodbye here. But tomorrow we will go to our homes together."
- "If I promise you. See you tomorrow" – Getting off the bus to start walking a few meters to the clinic, Emilio had a smile from ear to ear with his eyes illuminated by the sparkle of love that blossomed in his heart. Indeed the first kiss is said to taste like lemon, an unmistakable bittersweet touch when so many feelings meet and collide for two lovers.
Putting his arms behind his neck, Emilio kept smiling like an idiot without noticing his surroundings. Entering the clinic carelessly, while a mysterious figure followed him in the distance.
Yes, caterpillars are wonderful insects that often spend their brief lives waiting for the chance to dive into their protective cocoon to be reborn and fly free. But in the skies they are not the only insects flapping their wings.
As long as a caterpillar exists, there will be a wasp waiting to sting it to infect it like an all-consuming parasite. And that sting had already settled on Emilio, ready to give him the final blow.