Juileta walked for what seemed like miles towards the river. Her shoes skidded through the dirt, leaving trails of where she had been wandering. The trees around her

were blooming with leaves and colors. The breeze followed her, almost like a protector. She held tight to her bag, which held cempasuchil and pan. She walked more as

she watched the sun lower slowly, becoming shallowed by the land. She needed to be home soon, but no one seemed to notice. The trail began to shrink as the sun

lowered, until the only light left was the gleam stroking the river. El river persona. Many say that the river was filled with so many emotions that it almost felt like talking or

being with a person. It was a beautiful river with a soft melody drifting through the breeze. One could watch it sway and flow all day, but no one could capture the river's

beauty; one could only watch in awe.

 

Juileta wasn't there to stare at the river, but to ask for a request. A wish. A favor. Something she wanted more than anything. Juileta wanted friends. Wanted to be

noticed. Wanted to be beautiful. Wanted to be perfect.

 

"Una mujer vive ahi," spoke a classmate.

"She grants you a wish if she thinks you are worthy enough," spoke another.

"lo que quieras?" spoke one more.

"si."

Juileta didn't believe in this woman, but her desire was greater than fear. She would find out for herself if this woman could grant wishes.

 

"All you have to do is put your hand in the water once the sun goes down."

 

Juileta touched the water for a moment, feeling comfort in its grasp. When the sun was right where it needed to be, she sank her hand in the water. The breeze

stopped. The trees didn't move. The water blackened in color. The cold reached her body. A shiver ran up her spine, but nothing happened. The sun was gone. How could

she think this would actually work? Some part of her hoped more than anything. But nothing is that easy. She removed her hand slowly, hoping that something would

happen. But nothing. Tears rushed to her face, then a grito shook the river as if it were trembling.

 

" Que bonita eres."

 

Juileta looked up, without a thought, through her tearful eyes, and saw a woman. Has she always been her? Is she imagining her? The woman was gently holding her

hand, almost as if comforting her. She inched closer to Juileta, which gave Juileta a better view of the woman. Long black hair that reached her back. Her eyes were a dark

brown, like cajeta. She was tall, wearing a black dress, her slim figure on display. The most apparent thing was her skin. She had red markings shaped like different paper

picados all over her skin, from her arms, legs, and face. She did not feel like she was part of the river; her touch was cold, and her emotions weren't there. She chuckled as

she smiled, looking at Juileta. Julieta looked down, grabbing her dress. This was the first time someone had looked at her so oddly. All she could feel was the woman's eyes

on her, taking in everything Julieta had or was.

" I want a wish."

The woman now looked filled with life.

"Lo que quieras."

" I want to be someone.

The woman peered at her for a while and smiled even wider.

“Lo que quieras."