The warm evening enveloped the park in a soft, golden light as the last rays of sun disappeared behind the trees. “Why did I think this would be easier?” Finn muttered quietly to himself, letting his gaze wander across the meadow. There were lively students all around him, laughing and chatting animatedly. He felt like a stranger in this new world, which seemed full of energy and possibilities, but was also characterized by uncertainty.
“Hey, you there! Are you all right?” called a young man who approached Finn with a broad grin. Finn flinched when he heard the question and stared at the stranger. “Uh, yeah, I… I guess so,” he stammered, unconsciously straightening his shoulders. The boy was wearing a colorful T-shirt and shorts that contrasted with Finn’s plain clothes. “I’m Leo! Have you heard about the music festival that’s just around the corner?”
Finn shook his head. “No, I’m… I’m new here. I haven’t heard much yet.” He felt uncomfortable when Leo tried to break through the wall of uncertainty around him with his open manner. “Come with me! It’s going to be great! There’ll be music, food and lots of people who just want to have fun. You’ve got to see this!”
A wave of curiosity overcame Finn. Maybe this was an opportunity to make friends and break out of his loneliness. “I don’t know…” he began, but Leo grinned at him as if he were putting invisible pressure on him. “Come on! What have you got to lose?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Finn nodded. “Okay, I’ll come with you.” Leo turned and started walking towards the music, while Finn hesitantly followed him. The closer they got to the festival, the louder the sounds of guitars and cheerful singing became, and the melancholy that had accompanied him all day began to fade.
As they passed the first stalls, Finn was drawn to the colorful lights and enticing smells. People danced, laughed and seemed to be in a world of their own. Finn felt his heart beat faster. “Wow, this is impressive,” he murmured, observing the people around him.
“Look at this! Everyone seems to be having fun here! And you’re here too, so join in!” Leo gave Finn a friendly pat on the back. “Come on, let’s have a little dance!”
“I… I can’t dance,” Finn replied, but Leo shook his head vigorously. “That doesn’t matter! It’s the fun that counts here. Come on, let’s just enjoy life!”
“Okay, I’ll give it a go,” Finn replied, smiling nervously. Maybe this was the turning point he so desperately needed. He felt the anticipation rising in him as he surrendered to the action and took his first step into this new world. “Come on, let’s dance!” shouted Leo, pulling Finn with him into the middle of the dancing crowd. Finn felt the music pulsing through his body. His initial uncertainty slowly disappeared as he moved to the beat. Suddenly he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder and turned around.
“Hey, nice to see you here!” A radiant young woman with long, curly hair and a colorful dress stood in front of him. Her smile was infectious and her eyes sparkled like the lights around her. “I’m Mira! What’s your name?”
“I’m Finn,” he replied, surprised by her energy. “I’m… new here and just wanted to pop in.”
“That’s perfect! You’re right on time! Come on, let’s dance together!” Mira grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the dance floor. Finn felt like he was floating on air as he spun in circles and the music swept him away.
The colorful lights flashed around them and the cheerful sounds created an atmosphere that was almost magical. “So much better than alone, isn’t it?” exclaimed Mira, bouncing to the rhythm of the music. Finn nodded and a smile spread across his face. He couldn’t help but feel her joie de vivre.
“I have a feeling we can make the night special,” Mira said as she danced with a playful sparkle in her eyes. “What’s your favorite song?”
“Uh, I don’t know,” Finn replied shyly. “I like lots of different kinds of music.” Mira laughed out loud and shook her head. “That doesn’t count! This is about having fun!”
Suddenly, a joyous cheer erupted around them, and Finn looked up to see people jumping in the air as a shower of comets lit up the sky. “Look! The comet!” Mira shouted enthusiastically, pulling Finn towards the edge of the dance floor.
The two of them were now standing there, surrounded by others who were also looking up at the sky. Finn’s heart beat faster as he watched the shimmering strings of lights darting across the dark sky. “It’s breathtaking,” he whispered, forgetting his insecurities for a moment.
“Yes, it is! This night is just perfect,” Mira agreed. “Sometimes we just have to open our eyes and see the beauty around us. There is so much more than we can imagine.”
Finn felt her words resonate with him. The comet shower was not only a spectacular display in the sky, but also a metaphor for what he was missing in his life – the freedom, the joy and the adventure. “I… I think I’m beginning to understand,” Finn said, looking at Mira.
“That’s the spirit! Let’s live this night like it’s our last!” Mira spun around in one elegant motion and pulled Finn back onto the dance floor with her. In that moment, Finn finally felt alive and full of hope for all that was to come. “In that moment, Finn finally felt alive and full of hope for all that was to come.” These thoughts remained in his head in the days that followed. The music festival had not only brought him joy, but had also given him the impetus to actively shape his life at university.
With a renewed sense of determination, Finn made his way to the next event, a poetry evening in a small, cozy café. The walls were decorated with colorful paintings, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the room. He had met Mira at one of the last events and she had encouraged him to recite his own texts. But the thought of taking to the stage made his heart beat faster.
“You have something to say, Finn,” she had motivated him. “And you’ll be surprised how much people can be moved by your words.” Those words echoed inside him as he entered the room. Finn sat down in a corner, watching the other participants and feeling excited and anxious at the same time.
“So, are you ready for your big premiere?” asked Leo, who was also in the café. Finn couldn’t help but smile. “I don’t know. What if I fail?”
“What if you shine? People are here to have fun, not to judge,” Leo encouraged him and patted him on the back. “Believe in yourself!”
Finn took a deep breath as the first poets took the stage and read out their lyrics. Their words floated through the room and touched the hearts of the audience. It was like a magical connection, and Finn felt his own desire to speak grow stronger.
After a few performances, the time had finally come. The presenter called his name. “Finn, please come to the front!” Finn jumped up and hesitantly stepped onto the stage. The audience smiled encouragingly at him and the light from the small lamp seemed to envelop him.
“Um, hello everyone,” he began, unable to hide the nervousness in his voice. “I wrote a poem that… well, means a lot to me.” He imagined Mira watching him, and that gave him a boost of confidence.
As he recited his lines, he felt the words flowing from his heart. Suddenly everything around him seemed to disappear and he was just in the moment. The audience listened spellbound and when he finished, spontaneous applause broke out. Finn could hardly believe it; he had done it.
“That was great, Finn! You carried the audience away!” shouted Leo as Finn came down from the stage. Mira immediately came towards him and hugged him enthusiastically. “I knew you could do it!”
Finn beamed with joy. “That really was indescribable! I can’t believe I did that!”
“And it’s just the beginning. Let’s plan the next adventures!” suggested Mira. Finn nodded enthusiastically. His new life at university was in full swing, and he couldn’t wait for all the exciting experiences that lay ahead. “And it’s only the beginning. Let’s plan the next adventures!” suggested Mira. Finn smiled, but a slight unease resonated inside him. The joy of the moment was undeniable, but something seemed to be standing between them. Over the past few weeks, they had done countless activities together – from poetry evenings to yoga sessions that had deepened their friendship. But Finn kept noticing that Mira was sometimes lost in thought, as if she was struggling with a secret she didn’t want to share.
“Sure, I’m in!” Finn replied, but his voice didn’t sound entirely convinced. He watched Mira chatting happily with Leo and other students while he wondered what was going on inside her.
In the days that followed, the moments of laughter and adventure seemed overshadowed by a certain heaviness. Finn couldn’t help but notice the little signs – the brief hesitation before Mira answered a question, the sadness that sometimes flashed in her eyes when she thought no one was looking.
“Finn? Are you all right? You’re so pensive today,” Mira asked one evening as they sat together on a bench in the park. The sun had set and the first stars were shining in the sky.
“Yes, everything’s fine… it’s just…” Finn began, averting his eyes. “I’m worried about you. You seem so… absent sometimes. Is there something you want to tell me?”
Mira swallowed and looked at him. “It’s nothing, really. I just have a lot on my mind, that’s all.” Her voice sounded slightly uncertain, and Finn felt a knot forming in his stomach.
“But I want to be there for you, Mira. You don’t have to tell me everything if you don’t want to, but I want to know what’s bothering you. I can tell that you’re sad sometimes,” Finn said, looking at her urgently.
Mira closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “It’s just… sometimes I think about things from my past that I’d rather forget. Things that weigh on me.”
Finn’s heart tightened. “You don’t have to worry. I’m here to help you. You’re not alone.”
“I’m sorry I can’t share everything with you,” Mira whispered, finally looking back up at Finn. Her eyes were moist and Finn felt helpless.
“You don’t have to apologize. But I want to understand you. I care about you and I don’t want you to suffer,” Finn said, gently taking her hand.
A brief hesitation followed before Mira nodded. “I know. I’ll… I’ll think about it. Maybe it’s time to let some things go.”
The atmosphere around them grew more serious, and Finn could feel the joy of the first chapter slowly fading. But in that moment, he knew he would do anything to support Mira and learn the truth about her past. “I’ll be here no matter what,” he promised quietly. “I’ll be here, no matter what,” he promised quietly. Mira looked at him for a moment, and there was a mixture of gratitude and pain in her eyes. Finn sensed that they had reached a turning point in their conversation, and a part of him suspected that she was about to reveal something to him that could change their relationship forever.
“Finn,” she began hesitantly, “there’s something you need to know. It’s not easy for me to talk about it, but I can’t keep it to myself any longer.” Her voice was quiet, and Finn held his breath.
“What is it, Mira? You can tell me anything,” he encouraged her as his heart beat faster.
She took a deep breath and looked straight at him. “I have a terminal illness. There’s only a limited amount of time left to me.” Her words hung in the air like a heavy veil, and Finn felt the world around him stand still.
“What… what do you mean?” asked Finn as the reality of her words sank in. “How much longer do you have?”
“The doctors say it could be a few months, maybe a year. I didn’t want you to know until I was ready to talk about it. I wanted us to enjoy the time we have left.”
Finn felt a wave of grief and pain roll over him. “It can’t be, Mira. It’s… it’s not fair.” His voice was brittle and he felt helpless.
“I know it’s hard to accept,” she said softly. “But I don’t want you to grieve. Instead, I want us to enjoy the beautiful moments we still have to the full. Life is precious, even if it is fleeting.”
At that moment, Finn realized that Mira radiated an admirable strength despite her illness. She wanted to make the most of her remaining time, and that inspired him in a way he would never have thought possible.
“Okay,” he finally said, holding back the tears in his eyes. “Then let’s make the most of it. Let’s make memories that will last forever.”
“Yes! That’s exactly what I wanted to hear!” Mira smiled, and the joy in her eyes brightened the painful moment. “Let’s plan one adventure at a time. I want you to experience all the things that make life so beautiful.”
Finn nodded, his heart heavy, but amidst the grief, he also felt a budding hope. “We can explore the world, try new things and live every day as if it were our last.”
“That’s the right attitude,” Mira said, reaching for his hand. “Let’s cherish the time we have left. Let’s embrace the beauty of life as often as we can.”
The atmosphere around them was bittersweet, laced with the realization that the present was precious. Finn knew he would do everything he could to make these last months with Mira an unforgettable adventure, full of love, joy and memorable moments. “Let’s embrace the beauty of life as often as we can.” Finn felt Mira’s words penetrate his heart like a ray of light. They were sitting in the small park where they had often spent time together, and the evening sky was bathed in a soft pink and orange. It was the perfect moment to revisit all the memories they had made.
“What do you want to do next?” asked Finn, his voice sounding energetic, as if he wanted to put the gravity of the situation behind him. Mira smiled and thought for a moment.
“I want to see the sunset by the lake. It’s a very special place, and I want us to be there together to celebrate the light of day and the darkness of night.”
Finn nodded as a feeling of anticipation spread through him. “That sounds beautiful. Let’s do this right now!” They got up and made their way to the lake, which was only a few minutes away.
The atmosphere was full of light-heartedness and as they walked side by side, they talked about their dreams and hopes. Finn told Mira about the poetry evenings he had attended and how much he had discovered writing for himself. Mira listened attentively, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.
“You have a special gift, Finn. Your words can reach people’s hearts,” she said, hugging him gently. Finn felt encouraged, and he knew that they would tackle everything life had to offer in these last weeks of their time together.
When they arrived at the lake, the air was crisp and the gentle waves glistened in the light of the setting sun. Finn and Mira sat down on a bench and looked out over the water. The sight was breathtaking, and Finn felt the beauty of the moment envelop them both.
“Do you know what I want?” Mira asked after a while.
“What?”
“I want you to keep doing what you love, even when I’m no longer here. Write poetry, let your voice be heard and share your stories with the world.”
“Mira, I…” Finn began, but she put a finger to his lips.
“Let me finish. I want you to live like every day is a gift. I want you to share the joy we’ve shared with others. That’s what I want.”
Finn nodded as tears gathered in his eyes. “I promise you. You will always be a part of me, and I will keep your memories in my words.”
The sun slowly lowered behind the horizon, and the colors of the sky blended together in one last spectacular display. Finn took Mira’s hand and they watched together as the darkness of evening enveloped the day.
“We’ve made the most of our time,” Finn whispered. “And I will do everything I can to fulfill your wishes.”
“I know that,” Mira replied, smiling at him. “You’ve shown me that life can be beautiful despite all the challenges.”
At that moment, Finn felt a deep sense of satisfaction and gratitude. They had laughed together, cried together and experienced the beauty of life, despite its transience. And as the stars began to shine in the sky, Finn knew that their memories would stay in his heart forever.
They gazed up at the night sky, and Finn felt that as long as he lived their story, she was not truly lost.
