“I'll wait outside,” Anne whispers to me as the other two go to bed. 

“I'll be right there,” I answer her and quickly read the message my sister has just sent me. 

Mum says that everything is fine and I shouldn't worry, but Grandpa is back in hospital and no one tells me anything. That only makes me worry even more. I'm going tomorrow and will keep you up to date. I'll be glad when you're back on Saturday, Lily. Love you! 

So my hunch wasn't wrong. He's back in hospital. But maybe it's not that bad and they're just deciding what the best treatment is and he can go home soon, I think to myself and write back to Emilia. 

A heaviness settles over me as I imagine the image of my grandfather in a hospital bed, in a sterile room. Suddenly the image of Anne and me in the water diving appears to me. “Take a deep breath Lily” Anne said. I try to breathe in deeply and push my thoughts away as I breathe out. Try to concentrate on the here and now, I tell myself. Reality will come back soon enough. 

When I come outside, Anne is already sitting on the balcony looking out to sea. She also seems to be in thought and so I sit down next to her without a word. 

“Do you think everyone can be helped or are there some who are immune?” she says to me quietly and continues to look out to sea. 

“I think that everyone can accept help. But the timing and the person have to be right. And maybe sometimes in life you're not the right person,” I answer her and look at the lighthouse.

 “Do you know what I like about you Lily?” Anne now looks at me seriously with her big brown eyes. 

“What?” I ask, trying to hold her gaze. 

“You try to have an answer to every question and if you don't have one, you try to find one.” Anne looks away again. 

I realize I'm blushing and focus on the lighthouse again. “I'll do my best,” I say quietly. “But sometimes I wish I was more confident and cooler. It often doesn't help me if I have the answer but don't have the confidence to say it or engage in conversation.” 

“I think you're more confident and stronger than you think. In any case, you still answered me.” She nudges me lightly on the shoulder again and smiles. 

“Well, it's different with you somehow. With you, I can be who I am. Although I still don't quite understand why I feel this way about you, since we've only known each other for such a short time.” 

“It's probably because of our buddy promise,” says Anne and I have to laugh. 

The time on the balcony flies by and we talk about life, music, family, school and our favorite ice cream flavor. “Mint” is Anne's answer to my question and I grimace. 

“What? You might as well eat toothpaste.” 

“Are you crazy?” Anne looks at me in horror.” You don't have any taste. “ 

“I wouldn't be so sure about that. You've already approved of my taste in music,” I reply teasingly. 

“You have to promise to try this variety tomorrow. It's really good here and not artificial. And I'll try your favorite ice cream. What's that?” she asks me curiously.

“Vanilla” I say and before I can finish saying it, Anne starts laughing. 

“Wow, and you're criticizing my taste? Vanilla is probably the beginner's flavor and one of the most boring. But all right, I'll order it tomorrow. Buddy promises have to be kept.” 

“You're always on the safe side with vanilla and you can't go wrong,” I reply in my defense. 

Anne just has to laugh even harder and her laugh line reappears. 

It's a clear night again and when I look up at the sky, I spot Sid again. 

“Anne, the name. You still owe me the name.” I say a little too loudly and Anne puts her hand over my mouth to tell me to keep my voice down. 

“Okay, okay,” I try to say from behind her hand. “I'll keep it down.” 

She takes her hand away again and moves her index finger in front of her mouth to signal to me. I feel that warmth again that her touch triggers. What is this feeling, I ask myself. 

But before I can think about it any further, Anne answers quietly, “I name this constellation Buddy”. 

My heart warms and I reply, “What a beautiful name. But I have to disappoint you, unfortunately only I can name it. You can only suggest it. But after a brief consideration on my part, the name is accepted and from now on this constellation is called Buddy.” I wink at her and she smiles. 

What is that warm, tingling sensation in my body?