By Melina Oliveira

Under the Gameleira Tree

Melina Oliveira | JUNE 2025 | Issue 46

They unfurled a sarong by the creek just like they used to when they were kids, scouring for colorful beads to build fairy mountains or playing tag, turning the rocks and towering trees into their playground. It had been ages since they’d ventured there. Maria wasn’t really a girl anymore, even though they were about the same age. You could tell from her scent—sweat mixed with way too much sweet perfume—and by the pimples she did her best to conceal.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Maria twitched like she was holding in a fart, all jittery. She’d never been any good at keeping secrets.

Cora’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. It felt like forever since it was just the two of them sharing stories. These days, all Maria seemed to care about was makeup and the older kids. Instead of hanging out with Cora, she’d sneak out late at night to sip shots of cachaça and who knows what else.

“Duh,” Cora said. “’Course you can.”

“I kissed Sol.” Maria gnawed at her lower lip like she had more to say, but was waiting for her friend’s reaction. Cora stayed silent, and Maria couldn’t help herself. “It was weird,” she blurted out. “He shoved his tongue in my mouth, and I had no idea what to do. So I thought…” She bit her lip again, hesitating.

Cora grimaced like she was going to puke. “Gross! I don’t wanna hear this anymore.”

Maria ignored her and kept talking. “…maybe if we practiced.”

“What??”

“Practiced, you know? Kissing…”

Cora jumped up. “I came here to hang out like we used to, not…” She searched for words the same way they used to search for flowers—“not…”—but she couldn’t find any words now. “Not thiiiiis!” Cora shook her head. “Let’s try something else.” She sprinted along the riverbank, leaving Maria sighing on the sarong. “Bet you can’t catch me!”

“We’re not kids anymore, Cora.”

Cora bounded and twirled, trying to be provocative. “Listen to you, such a coward.”

Maria snatched her perfume and sprayed it twice, one on each side of her neck. “You’ll get it when you’re older.”

Cora flapped her arms like a chicken. “Bawk, bawk, bawk.”

Maria rolled her eyes but got up. “I’m Cora,” she mocked. “I pretend to be all tough and brave, but really, I’m just a little chick.” She stalked forward like she was after prey.

Still flailing her arms, Cora raced past Maria and tagged her shoulder.

“Let’s see if you can run faster than this little chick!” she laughed. “Come on, try to catch me!”

Maria finally gave in and chased after her.

Cora let out a squeal, running faster and laughing, her heart pounding until she ducked behind the thick trunk of a gameleira tree. If Maria lunged to the right, Cora dodged left. If Maria tried the left, Cora slipped away on the other side.

“Who’s scared now?” Maria teased. She darted one way and then spun around, coming face-to-face with Cora. As soon as Cora realized it was a setup and tried to bolt, Maria lunged and snatched her wrist. But as she did, she tripped over one of the gameleira’s big roots. They tumbled to the ground in a heap, legs tangled, Maria on top.

The older girl grinned. “There. Now that we’ve played your game, it’s time to play mine.”

Cora flinched as Maria’s body melded with hers and felt her skin heat up when her friend inched even closer. It was like someone had ignited a fire inside her, making it impossible to think straight. Maria’s sweet perfume overwhelmed her senses, making her dizzy. It felt like melting. If she gave in, she’d just disappear.

And she did.

She disappeared in a cloud of perfume. Vanilla. Roses. Something spicy. Even though they had known each other since forever, Maria's lips tasted of mystery. Cora didn’t know what to do with her hands. It was as if someone had dissolved her body and rearranged her molecules.

“What does this all mean?” Cora managed to say, or thought she said. She wouldn’t be surprised if what actually came out of her mouth was nothing more than “blawh” or “bluh,” babbling gibberish.

Maria smiled the world’s biggest smile. “Whatever we want it to.”

Melina Oliveira is a Brazilian writer, teacher, poet, environmental activist and mother.