Luke and Mateo had grown together like round peas in a square pod. Life never quite suited them right - mismatched family trips, different schools, growing pains keeping them apart. For what felt like forever, they waited longingly for the summer holidays. The festive days at school passed slowly, a tiny ant stuck in honey.

Every year, Luke and Mateo spent their break together, as much as possible. They were well known by the local kids for their workshopping; they could make anything their hearts desired. Luke and Mateo made whistles, pulleys, gadgets, and gizmos. They took donations and commissions from the other children, collecting bottle caps and springs to return as fishing rods and game pieces to wondrous onlookers.

That fated first summer Saturday, Mateo scoffed his breakfast, Luke rushed to get dressed, and they both cycled to their sacred place in the park to begin the next magical season.

'Hey, Mateo,' called Luke as he rolled up to the meeting place.

'Hi Luke! I couldn't wait to get started so I've already been setting up, I hope you don't mind.'

The boys perched their workstation between some dense trees - a couple wobbly tables, a cart that used to roll, and all the 'junk' they had gathered throughout the last 10 months of mundane life missing each other. Luke dumped his collection into the pile and they began sorting.

'Say, Mateo, any ideas for what we could make this year?'

'So many,' he replied excitedly. 'I'll show you my notebook later. The first thing I'd like to make is a kite, though. My dad showed me a video from when he was my age, with a smart blue kite that danced beautifully in the wind. Do you think we can do that?'

Luke studied Mateo's serious face. He had never made a kite before, but Mateo looked up to him, wanting to learn the whole world.

'Of course we can. I see string, some fabric...' Luke's voice trailed off.

'I'm not sure how to make it though,' admitted Mateo.

'No problem,' Luke assured him. 'We will work it out together. Nothing is too hard for us, right?'

'Right.'

The pair pulled together anything they thought could work: lengths of string, some thin pipes, a cobalt sheet of tarp. They planned, measured, cut, and built, working side by side on their first project of the season. As the afternoon drew nearer to dusk, Luke and Mateo climbed to the highest point of the park to test out their creation.

'I'm going to beat you!' teased Luke, Mateo following fast behind. The strong evening breeze cooled their sun-soaked arms upon the hill.

'You should go first,' offered Luke. 'It was your idea after all.' Mateo grabbed the kite and galloped across the grass.

'Let out some more string!' Luke called - and he did. The kite went up, a little, a meter, then two. About three in total before it came crashing down. Disappointment flooded Mateo's heart.

'Here, let me show you.' Mateo gave up the kite, Luke went for lift off. Again and again, their work couldn't make it off the ground. Returning the failure to the workshop, both boys got ready to head home.

'See you tomorrow, Luke,' said Mateo. He felt disappointed in himself. That was their first project that didn't work, and it was all his fault. Luke probably didn't want to work with him anymore.

That night, Mateo had a big dream. It was tomorrow, and he had a kite that flew just as his dad's had. He studied the kite, its shapes, features, design. He would try to recreate it, no matter if Luke wanted to be involved or not. When Luke found him at the at the workshop the next morning already tinkering, he had no reason to be surprised.

'Hey bud, how's it going?'

Mateo startled. 'I didn't expect you here today...' he looked away.

'Why not?'

'Well, I just thought you would be disappointed with my idea...' Mateo mumbled.

'Of course not, Mateo! Things go wrong sometimes, it helps us learn and grow. I can see it's already working for you.'

'I thought of some new ideas last night,' said Mateo, not wanting to admit where he got them from.

Soon, the kite had been altered and adapted to match his memory exactly. They raced up the hill again, Mateo now leading.

'Here goes...' he said.

The blue beauty clung to the air, climbing, soaring, fluttering.

'It's dancing!' Luke shrieked. 'Like your dad's one!' They held hands and ran together, the kite floating effortlessly beyond them. Finally, they sat down and watched it flit down like an autumn leaf.

'Wow, just wow,' said Luke. Mateo's face flushed a rosy red. 'I'm so impressed by you.'

'Really?' asked Mateo. He didn't believe how different today went from what he had worried about.

'Yes, really. You did what I couldn't. I'm proud of you for trying again.' This made Mateo hide, shy. 'And I'm sorry for making it seem like I knew what to do. I guess it's time for me to start learning from you, too.'

'I'm so excited for the rest of the summer together,' admitted Mateo.

'I can only imagine what we'll build,' said Luke with a smile.