THE LIGHT BEYOND LOSS

Embracing the Present

Livia woke up that morning feeling something she hadn't felt in a long time—lightness. She stretched and glanced out the window, where the early light of the sun peeked over the horizon, painting the sky with soft pastels. Today was different, she could feel it. The heaviness that usually accompanied her mornings seemed to have vanished, replaced by a quiet eagerness to face the day.

Looking through her wardrobe, she sighed at the dull hoodies and jeans that had become her go-to. Today, though, she wanted something different. She rummaged through the back of her closet and found an old checked shirt, pairing it with a simple tank top and her high-waisted boot-cut pants. As she slipped them on, she caught her reflection in the mirror. The shirt hugged her comfortably, and even though her messy, asymmetrical hair remained unstyled, she felt good—better than she had in a long while.

She finished getting ready, pulled on her favorite sneakers, and headed out the door, her heart light and her steps brisk. As she entered the cafeteria, her eyes immediately found her group of friends. With a bright smile, she waved energetically, her mood as vibrant as her outfit. Emma, Sophie, and Isabella looked up at her in surprise.

"Whoa, what's with you?" Sophie asked, raising an eyebrow in mock suspicion. "Is this the same Livia, or did you get swapped out by a morning person?"

Livia laughed, grabbing a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and fresh fruit for breakfast. Sitting down with her friends, she shrugged. "I just felt like trying to enjoy more of what this place has to offer. You know, I don't want to waste my youth," she said, flashing a playful smile.

Sophie dramatically clutched her chest, pretending to faint. "My goodness, who is this person? And look at that smile! You look stunning, Liv!"

Emma chuckled, shaking her head. "Well, whatever it is, I approve."

The morning passed by smoothly. Classes were the usual mix of lessons, discussions, and occasional daydreaming. Even the whispers and rumors floating around campus didn't bother Livia anymore. She was starting to understand that, for the most part, people's opinions didn't matter—what mattered was how she felt. For once, she felt at ease, unbothered by the curious glances or the small talk about her and Jonas.

After classes ended, Livia waved goodbye to her friends as they headed off to their own plans. She stuck to her usual routine, walking to her favorite spot—a quiet bench under a large oak tree near the auditorium. The area was hidden from the hustle and bustle of the school and offered the best view of the sunset. It was her personal escape, a place where she could unwind and let her thoughts drift freely.

Settling into the bench, she pulled out her notebook. The words she had started earlier that morning still resonated with her:

"Friendship is like a thread, woven between hearts, connecting us even when we are miles apart. It is in the laughter we share, the comfort in silence, and the memories that live on long after the moment has passed..."

She stared at the page, trying to push her thoughts further, but nothing else came to mind. Instead, she put her pen down and reached for her current read, a novel she had been meaning to finish for weeks. As she became engrossed in the story, time flew by, the vibrant colors of the sunset slowly fading into the cool blues and purples of twilight.

Before she knew it, she had dozed off. Livia woke up groggily, blinking at her watch. It was already 8:30 p.m.—only half an hour left before the cafeteria closed for dinner. Her stomach growled in protest, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since lunch. Grabbing her things, she made her way to the cafeteria, the cool evening breeze brushing against her skin.

The campus was quiet at this hour, bathed in soft lights that made the greenery around her glow. Livia couldn't help but feel a sense of peace as she walked, the cool air and the silence of the evening creating a blissful atmosphere. She found herself thinking of Viktor, as she often did during quiet moments like these. A pang of longing welled up in her chest as she imagined how perfect this would have been with him here beside her.

The thought of Viktor caused a tear to slip down her cheek, but before she could dwell on it, she heard someone calling her name. Turning around, she saw Jonas approaching, his familiar smile lighting up his face.

"Livia! What are you doing out here so late?" he asked, his tone casual but filled with curiosity.

Livia smiled back, brushing the tear away before he could notice. "Just lost track of time. I'm on my way to get dinner before it's too late."

Jonas laughed. "Same here. Wanna grab something together?"

They both made their way to the cafeteria, chatting about nothing in particular, just enjoying the company. Livia told him how much she had enjoyed playing football the other day, and how it had been a while since she'd felt such an adrenaline rush.

"I can see that," Jonas said, his eyes scanning her outfit. "You've got a whole new vibe going on today."

Livia blushed at the compliment, feeling the warmth of her cheeks rise. "I guess the game cheered me up more than I realized," she admitted with a shy smile.

After they finished eating, neither of them seemed ready to head back to their dorms just yet. The cool night air felt too good, and the calm atmosphere of the campus was too inviting. They decided to take a walk, wandering aimlessly around the grounds. The conversation flowed easily, touching on their families, their hometowns, and their experiences at GIA. Livia shared bits and pieces about her life, but she kept Viktor's memory tucked away, too precious and personal to bring up in casual conversation.

Before long, it was time to head back to the dorms. Jonas walked her to the entrance of the girls' dormitory, where they both stood for a moment, savoring the last bit of the evening.

"You know, you're really settling in well here," Jonas said, his tone soft and sincere. "It's nice to see."

"Thanks," Livia replied, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "It's getting better. One day at a time."

They said their goodbyes, and Livia headed inside, her heart light despite the gossip she knew would inevitably follow them. She didn't mind the rumors anymore—there were more important things to focus on.

The days flew by, and soon the midterm break arrived. Livia packed her things with excitement, eager to head home to Åkerby. She had missed her family, and the thought of spending time with them after the whirlwind of the past few months brought a sense of comfort. As the bus pulled into her small hometown, Livia spotted her dad waiting for her at the station.

With a wide smile, she rushed off the bus and into his arms, hugging him tightly. "It's good to be home, Dad," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth.

Her father smiled, his eyes twinkling with affection. "It's good to have you home, Liv."

They drove back to the house, where her mom, Elin, had prepared a delicious meal to welcome her home. As they sat down to eat, Livia felt the familiar warmth of family envelop her, and for the first time in a long while, she felt like everything was exactly as it should be.

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"In the quiet moments of life, we often find the pieces of ourselves we didn't even know were missing. And sometimes, those pieces are found not in grand gestures, but in the small, everyday connections we make along the way."

-Hanuel!