THE LIGHT BEYOND LOSS

Just Friends

The first rays of sunlight crept through the curtains of Livia's bedroom, painting her small room in a soft golden glow. She blinked herself awake, a smile already forming on her lips as she remembered what day it was—her first day of eighth grade. She stretched her arms and climbed out of bed, feeling a mix of excitement and nervous energy flutter in her chest. After the long, lazy summer, she was finally going back to school. But more than that, she would finally see Viktor again.

Viktor had spent most of the school break away at his grandmother's house, tucked deep in the Swedish countryside, and Livia had missed him terribly. Sure, they had exchanged texts and calls, but it wasn't the same. He was her best friend, her other half. It had been strange without him by her side during the summer months, no one to share ice creams with or cycle around town on aimless adventures. The empty days had felt too long without his teasing laughter or the comfortable silence they often shared when words weren't needed.

Livia took her time getting ready that morning, dressing in her usual modest style—a plain pastel blouse and jeans, her dark hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. She wasn't one to fuss over her appearance; she never had been. Viktor liked to tease her about it, calling her "practical Livia" whenever he caught her turning down anything too flashy. But it was comfortable, and that's what mattered to her.

She glanced at the clock on her nightstand, feeling a rush of excitement as she realized Viktor would be here any minute. They always cycled to school together, and today was no exception. She grabbed her bag and hurried downstairs, barely taking time to eat breakfast as she raced to the front door. Her heart leapt as she heard the familiar sound of Viktor's bike tires skidding on the gravel outside.

There he was.

Viktor stood at the gate, tall for his age, with that unmistakable mop of blond hair that always seemed a little out of place. He was dressed casually in a simple hoodie and jeans, his backpack slung lazily over one shoulder. The moment their eyes met, Livia's face broke into a radiant smile. Without thinking, she ran towards him, her feet barely touching the ground.

"Viktor!" she cried, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug, almost knocking him off balance. She breathed in the familiar smell of pine from his clothes, which always seemed to linger after his trips to the countryside.

He laughed, a deep, genuine laugh that sent warmth rushing through her. "Whoa, I didn't know you missed me this much!"

"Of course I did!" Livia pulled back, still grinning. "You were gone for ages. I had no one to hang out with. It was so boring without you!"

Viktor smirked, slinging an arm around her shoulder as they walked towards their bikes. "Well, lucky for you, I'm back now. And you wouldn't believe the stuff that happened at my grandma's. She got a new dog. It's a total disaster. But I'll tell you about it on the way."

They mounted their bikes and set off toward Åkerby Secondary School, pedaling in sync as the cool morning air rushed past them. The small town streets were still waking up, with the occasional car passing by and neighbors waving from their gardens. It was the kind of peaceful morning that made Livia feel like everything was right in the world again. With Viktor by her side, it felt like all was back in balance.

The ride to school was filled with their usual banter, Viktor narrating his summer adventures—his grandmother's chaotic new dog, the hikes he'd taken in the woods, and the times he got lost trying to find his way back. Livia listened intently, laughing and making fun of him for his terrible sense of direction, all the while feeling that familiar ease settle between them. It was always like this—simple, effortless, and filled with laughter. She had missed it so much.

When they finally reached school, the familiar brick building loomed ahead, bustling with the energy of students catching up after the long summer break. Livia felt a little jittery, the excitement of seeing their classmates and friends mixing with the usual first-day nerves. They locked their bikes and headed towards the entrance together.

As they stepped through the doors, a chorus of voices greeted them. Their classmates, scattered around in groups, waved and shouted their names, pulling them into the swirl of excitement. It felt good to be back, surrounded by the people they had grown up with. Livia and Viktor exchanged greetings, high-fives, and laughter with friends, easing back into the rhythm of school life as if no time had passed at all.

The day moved quickly, filled with the usual first-day routines—new timetables, introductions to their teachers, catching up on gossip, and comparing summer experiences. But Livia barely noticed the hours slip by. It wasn't until lunchtime that she finally realized how hungry she was.

When the bell rang, signaling the lunch break, Livia and Viktor headed toward the courtyard with a few of their closest classmates, ready for some much-needed relaxation. They settled under their usual tree, the wide branches offering shade from the afternoon sun. Livia sat between Viktor and Emma, one of her good friends, while the others—Jonas, Sophie, and a few others—gathered around.

As everyone unpacked their lunches, the conversation naturally turned toward their summer breaks, each person sharing stories of family trips, lazy days, and the occasional drama. Emma was the first to speak, her eyes wide with excitement as she recounted her family's vacation to Italy.

"It was amazing," Emma gushed. "The beaches, the food, the people. I swear I could have stayed there forever. And the pizza... oh my god, the pizza was heavenly."

Livia listened with a smile, stealing glances at Viktor every now and then. He was animated, telling Jonas about the time he fell into a lake while trying to catch a frog at his grandmother's. Livia couldn't help but laugh as she remembered the photos he had sent her, his face flushed red with embarrassment, drenched from head to toe.

The laughter spread through the group, each person chiming in with their own stories. There was an easy camaraderie, the kind that only came from years of growing up together. Livia felt warm inside, surrounded by friends and laughter, with Viktor by her side. This was how it was meant to be.

Then, in the middle of their conversation, Sophie—always the one to stir the pot—leaned in with a mischievous grin. "So, Livia, Viktor," she began, her eyes gleaming with playful curiosity. "You two have been practically inseparable since kindergarten, right? I mean, you do everything together. Aren't you guys tired of each other yet?"

Livia blinked, taken off guard by the sudden shift in the conversation. She glanced at Viktor, who raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

"What are you getting at, Sophie?" Viktor asked, a half-smile playing on his lips.

Sophie giggled, leaning forward. "Oh, come on! Everyone says you two have great chemistry. You're like, always together. Don't you ever think you'd make a cute couple?"

Livia felt a sudden rush of heat flood her cheeks. Her heart skipped a beat, caught off guard by the unexpected question. A couple? The idea had always lingered in the back of her mind, but she had never given it much thought. Viktor was her best friend, someone she could rely on, someone who knew her better than anyone else. But love? That was something else entirely.

The rest of the group erupted into laughter, teasing comments flying back and forth as Sophie's question lingered in the air.

Viktor, always quick on his feet, waved a hand dismissively. "Nah, we're just friends. Best friends," he said with a grin. "Livia's great, but trust me, she's more like my annoying sister."

Livia forced a laugh, her heart sinking a little as she nodded in agreement. "Yeah, just friends," she echoed, trying to sound casual, even though something inside her tightened.

But even as the conversation moved on, the teasing comments fading into the background, Livia's thoughts lingered on what Sophie had said. Did she love Viktor? She wasn't sure. But she knew one thing—he was important to her, more important than anyone else in the world. She couldn't imagine life without him.

As the lunch break went on, the group's laughter and chatter filled the air once more, but Livia sat quietly, her mind spinning with questions she didn't quite know how to answer. Was it love? Maybe. Or maybe it was something even deeper, something she wasn't ready to admit to herself just yet.

But one thing was certain: Viktor was her everything. And whatever the future held, she knew that wouldn't change.

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"Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old."
— Franz Kafka

-Hanuel!