(PAST)

Mateo glanced at his calendar. One date had a circle around it, various doodles surrounding it - a heart among them. Cameron’s birthday. Less than a week to go. He only found out recently, a fleeting comment. Cameron said he didn’t want any presents, just to hang out for the day, but Mateo still wanted to get something for him to keep. To show how special he was.

Cameron deserved the world.

Unfortunately, Mateo was struggling. He had no idea what to get. Everything he thought about seemed stupid, useless or lackluster. Sometimes all three. Even if he asked, Cameron would only repeat himself.

“Cameron Doran,” Mateo flopped onto his bed with a sigh, “you are infuriating sometimes.”

He stared at the ceiling, pondering. Something guitar-related was obvious, but it would be novelty. He couldn’t afford anything actually useful for it. Keychains were boring. A meal was nothing special or long-lasting. Maybe local gig tickets, but it wouldn’t be for Cameron’s favourite bands. He wasn’t creative enough to make something good.

For someone who thought he knew Cameron so well, this was hard.

“Come on, Teo, think of something.” He glanced at the calendar again. “You’re running out of time.”

Then, an idea formed. He jumped off his bed, quickly changing and grabbing his jacket. Cameron should be busy with guitar practice today; he’d reconnected with his old bandmates recently. Opportunity spotted, Mateo rushed over to Cameron’s flat. He probably had an hour or so. When he got there, he called Rosa. It rang once, then she picked up.

“Hey, Rosa. I’m outside.”

“Oh, hi Teo.” He looked up, spotting Rosa wave out a window. “Cam’s not here right now.”

“I know. Guitar practice.”

“Hmm, do you want to come inside and wait for him?”

“I came to see you, actually.”

“Me? Interesting.” Rosa buzzed him in. “Alright, come up.”

Mateo climbed the stairs, knocking on the flat door. Rosa answered, letting him in.

“Want a drink?” she asked, taking a step towards the kitchen area.

“Please.”

“So, what did you want to talk to me about?” Rosa poured some juice while making herself a coffee. “Maybe some blackmail material?”

Mateo shook his head. “Tempting, but not today. Cam’s birthday is coming up, right?”

“Oh,” Rosa seemed surprised, “he told you about that, huh.”

“Yeah, he briefly mentioned it before.”

“And you want my help coming up with gift ideas,” she theorised.

“Good guess. He said he’d be happy hanging out like usual, but...”

“You want to do something more,” she finished for him.

“Yeah. Something he can keep. Something that shows him…” Mateo stared into his glass, “how glad I am we’re friends.”

He was half expecting more questions, but Rosa didn’t interrogate him. “Well, he really likes gifts people have put effort into. How much it costs doesn’t matter.” She smiled. “Pretty sure he still has every single birthday card I ever made for him. Our dad got us into the habit.”

“Okay.” Mateo nodded.

Something with thought and effort put into it. That narrowed it down a little.

"How about drawing something?" Rosa suggested.

"I don't know.” Mateo rubbed the back of his neck. “I'm not very good at it."

"Doesn't matter. Cam would really appreciate it. Especially if it comes from you."

"Alright.” Mateo made a mental note of her suggestion. “Any other ideas?"

"He's a tough one to buy for. Never says he wants anything." Rosa looked guilty. "I suppose that's what happens when you don't have much."

"You guys never did?"

"Not really.” Rosa sipped her coffee. “Money was always tight. For all his flaws, dad did work seriously hard to give us what we needed."

"From what I've heard, you've done the same,” Mateo said.

Cameron had revealed more about his and Rosa’s situation as time passed. Not an easy ride. Their only guardian dead, left to fend for themselves.

“I suppose so. I just wish I hadn’t been so worried about us getting separated at first. We could’ve had help sooner.” Rosa looked around the flat. “While we can’t afford a mansion or fancy car, we have a home again.”

"You remind me of my mama. Working so hard to make ends meet.” Mateo sighed, recalling his own mother’s hardships. “You never anticipated it, and it seems almost impossible, but somehow you manage it."

"You guys had money troubles too?" Rosa asked, looking sad. “Most people seem to eventually.”

"Not as bad as yours sounded, but yeah. Papa worked hard at his music, between raising a family and working whatever jobs he could get. Mama did what she could to support his dreams and keep our family going. In the end,” Mateo’s voice wavered, “papa worked too hard…"

"Do you remember much about him?"

"No. I was too young. All I have are pictures and his music tapes." It was more than some had, less than others. “Oh, and things mamá told me.”

"I don't know what's worse,” Rosa drained her cup, “being left with a bunch of bittersweet memories or never having that chance to make them in the first place."

Mateo didn’t know either. "Neither is great."

"On that we can very much agree." Rosa sighed. "Sorry, that didn't help much with Cameron's present."

"It helped more than you might think. Thanks, Rosa."

"Anytime.” She rested her chin on her hand. “I'm glad Cam has someone who cares about him."

"I do. Lots." More than Cameron might know.

"I can tell." Rosa looked like she was going to say something, then shook her head. "He's not the most emotionally open person, but he's a good kid. I can already see some changes since he met you, though."

"Like what?" Mateo asked, genuinely curious.

"That's a secret." Rosa put a finger to her lips.

"Meanie…"

Rosa chuckled. "It's not hard to see. Trust me."