Lila Williams, a thoughtful teenager with a tangle of curly hair, sits cross-legged on her bed, her fingers hovering above the keyboard. She bites her lip, composing a long message to her friend across the sea. The room is silent except for her gentle laughter as she reads a joke sent moments earlier. "You wouldn’t believe the weather here, Sofia! How is summer in Lisbon treating you?"

Sofia Costa, energetic and always with a sketchbook in hand, lounges on her balcony, her phone buzzing with a new message. She grins and scrolls through the shared photos, her heart swelling at the sight of her friend’s familiar handwriting. The Atlantic breeze teases loose strands of her hair as she starts recording a voice message. "Lila! I went to the beach today and found a shell for your collection. I wish you could have seen the waves—they were wild! I’ll send a picture in a minute, but first, tell me everything about your new school project. I miss our brainstorming sessions."

Lila waves a half-finished art project at her webcam, her eyes shining with excitement. Sofia responds by flipping her sketchbook to a new page, doodling as they talk. Their dialogue flows effortlessly, filling the distance with warmth. "Look, I finally tried watercolor, just like you showed me!" "That’s amazing, Lila! Next time, we should paint together virtually. I’ll teach you how to blend the colors for sunsets."

Lila hesitates before sending a message, her thoughts clouded with worry about her parents’ upcoming move. Across the world, Sofia senses something is wrong from the lack of emojis and the late replies. "Is everything okay, Lila? You’ve been quiet today. If you want to talk, I’m here, no matter what time it is." "I just found out we might be moving again. I’m scared I’ll lose touch with everyone… with you."

Sofia speaks softly, her words steady and full of hope. She reminds Lila of the strength of their bond, how it has survived time zones and storms. "Lila, no matter where you are, we’ll find ways to stay close. Remember our secret code? And the time we wrote letters just to see each other’s handwriting? Our friendship isn’t about where we are, it’s about who we are. I promise, you’re not alone."

Lila laughs as she opens a package from Portugal, “To Lila, who always finds her way.” Inside is a painted seashell and a letter in Sofia’s looping script. The friends share dreams and everyday moments, their voices weaving a tapestry that stretches across continents. "No matter where I go, you’re always with me, Sofia." "And you’re always with me, amiga. Here’s to many more adventures—together, from afar."