We spent the rest of the day together on the beach. Our teachers had made another reservation at a restaurant for dinner and we had pizza and spaghetti for the last time in Giglio. The atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful and yet we were all a little sad that this great time here in Italy was already over. 

"We could just stay here," said Chloe as she popped the last slice of pizza into her mouth. 

"That would be nice," said Sam from the back of the table. "Then I wouldn't have to see all those ugly faces at school again."

 As he says this, he looks at me and winks. I look away, annoyed. When I look over at Anne, I see her poking  around in her plate with her fork.

Later, we sit on the balcony again. "Everything all right? You were very quiet at dinner." I ask her after I've put the blanket over our legs. 

"Yes, everything's fine," she replies, but I realise that something is bothering her. 

"Are you sure?" I ask her again, looking directly at her. 

Her light brown hair glistens slightly golden from the setting sun. She pulls her legs up, puts her head on her knees and looks at me. 

"Everything here feels like a dream. This place, the moments, you. And I wonder if I'll have this feeling again at home, or if it will just be a memory. And that makes me sad.". 

As I listen to her, I assume the same position as Anne. Our faces are not far apart and although this closeness makes me nervous, it also gives me a feeling of security. I can literally feel the warmth that Anne radiates. 

"I think it will remain a special, unique memory, but I believe that you can and will feel the same way at home in other situations and moments. A wise person once told me that you should have trust in life and the people around you."

The next morning we are all back in the car. I sit next to Hannah by the window and take out my headphones. Anne sits next to Chloe, one row in front of us. I remember our car journey here and how I didn't know who this special person three rows in front of me was. 

"Why are you smiling like that?" Hannah asks me and takes a packet of crisps out of her rucksack. 

"I just am." I reply and unlock my mobile phone to put on some music. 

I realise that the gallery is still open and I see the photos of Hannah, Chloe, Anne and me. Chloe insisted that we take a group photo in front of our balcony. 

"Come on, come on. As a reminder," she called into the flat from outside. 

"Great, and now just the two of us." she demanded as Hannah wanted to disappear again after the successful group photo. 

"Do I have to?" she said, annoyed, but came back again. 

She reluctantly put up with the whole thing. The last pairing was Anne and me. We smiled at each other and stood up. 

"Mint ice cream is the better ice cream," Anne said quietly to me. 

"Hey," I turned to her indignantly and started laughing as Chloe took the photo. 

"Great, Lily. No time for another photo. We have to go." Chloe said, annoyed.

The photo of Anne and me appears right at the top of the gallery. I press on it and zoom in. Neither Anne nor I are looking at the camera, but I like the picture. My laugh is so genuine and Anne gives me a cheeky look. 

"Can you send me the pictures?" Hannah says next to me, bringing me back to the present. 

Chloe turns round and shouts, "Yes, me too. And I'm sure Anne wants them too. Have you got our numbers?".

 Anne turns round too and doesn't realise what it's about at first. 

"What about our numbers?" she asks Chloe. 

"Lily has our photos and now needs our mobile phone numbers. Here's mine." Chloe takes out a pen and a piece of chewing gum paper and writes her number on it. 

"Then you can send it to me at home. Anne, do you want to?" she asks, holding the pen and another piece of chewing gum paper out to Anne. 

"Thanks," she replies and turns round to write again. 

Just as I'm about to start the music, Anne turns back to me and holds out the blue chewing gum wrapper. "Here, not just for the photos.". She winks at me and turns round again.

When I unfold the paper, I see that it doesn't just have her number on it.

For emergencies, questions, suggestions or when life seems grey again. Your buddy is always there for you and will show you how to swim towards the light again *-* Anne.

When I see Anne's drawing of the star constellation, that warm feeling spreads through me again. After carefully folding up the piece of paper again, I put it in my trouser pocket and lean forward. My hand fits right between the back of Anne's chair and the window and I touch her shoulder. As I give it a quick squeeze, Anne puts her hand on mine. I can feel my body start to tingle.

"Lily, look at this photo, Chloe looks like she's bitten into a lemon," Hannah suddenly says next to me and I quickly pull my hand back. 

My heart races as I look at Hannah and her mobile phone. While Hannah continues to scroll through the photos, I look at Anne. Did she just feel that too or is there something wrong with me?