I wake up early the next morning. I toss and turn a little and try to fall asleep again, but somehow it doesn't seem to work. There are far too many thoughts buzzing around in my head, so I get up anyway. In my pyjamas, I quietly open the door to my room and carefully go downstairs so as not to wake anyone. When I start the kettle downstairs, the sun is already shining through the window in the kitchen. I close my eyes and feel the warmth of the autumn sun on my face. 

I try to sort out the thoughts in my head and mentally go back to the conversation with my grandfather. What he said about life and the moments in the now really touched me and made me think.  I like the idea of living in the here and now and not worrying, but at the same time I can't just switch it off and forget about my worries. The beeping brings me back to the kitchen and I grab a cup from the cupboard and finish making my chai tea. I then grab my headphones and my mobile phone and sit down on the terrace with my tea and enjoy the peace and quiet that now spreads through my head. 

After about an hour, Emilia suddenly stands next to me on the terrace with her coffee in her hand. 

‘Didn't you get a good night's sleep?’ she asks me, her eyes still tired.

‘Somehow I just woke up early and couldn't get back to sleep,’ I say and lift up the blanket so that she can sit underneath it.

‘I'm sorry about the mobile phone situation yesterday. It was just for fun. I wanted to lighten the mood a bit during lunch, but I probably overdid it a bit. I'm sorry about that.’ she says as she cuddles up to me.

‘It's okay. I was just waiting for a message from Anne, that's why I had my mobile phone with me.’ I reply and rest my head on her shoulder. 

‘Anne? Does she go to your level?’ Emilia asks me. 

‘Yes, she's in the same level but not in the same class. But we shared a room in Giglio. With Chloe and Hannah. I'm meeting her in the park today,' I reply. 

‘You're meeting someone you haven't known that long? This Anne must be something special. If you want, I can give you a lift in the car. I'm going to Simon's later. He's helping me study for my chemistry exam,’ she says and gets up.

‘Simon seems to be someone special, too, if he's taking you to study,’ I tease her. 

Emilia just shrugs her shoulders and disappears back into the house.

Later, after lunch, Emilia and I sit in the car and drive to the park. As we drive, we listen to Imagine Dragons together and sing along loudly. As we turn into the car park, I get that tingling feeling in my stomach again and my hands get cold. 

‘Are you OK?’ Emilia asks me after she has parked and is waiting for me to get out of the car. 

‘Yes, everything's fine,’ I answer quickly and open the door. I can tell by the look on her face that she doesn't quite believe me, but I seem to be convincing enough that she doesn't ask any more questions. 

‘Thanks, see you later and drive carefully,’ I say to her before closing the door. 

After she drives away, I feel my mobile phone vibrate again.

I'll be there soon. x

I can feel the tingling getting worse and so I decide to go to the park and look for a bench. There aren't many people in the park for a Sunday afternoon. Two children are playing frisbee on the large lawn and I see a jogging group further along. I come across three more people with dogs on a lead on the gravel path. 

When I reach the little stream that runs through the whole park, I sit down on the first free bench. From here I have a good view of the entrance to the park and won't miss Anne. Anne had told me in Giglio that she lives near the park with her parents. That meant it couldn't be long before she was here. 

How should I tell her Hi? 

Just with words? 

With a hug? 

Why am I so nervous? 

Calm down Lily, it's Anne. 

But my worries just get bigger and bigger. When I look towards the entrance again, I see her. She looks around searchingly and when she looks in my direction, I wave to her. A big smile spreads across her face and she comes towards me. I stand up and walk towards her. Before I can think any more about the greeting, Anne wraps me in her arms. Suddenly everything in my head is calm and the queasy feeling is gone too. 

‘Hi’ I say, still in the embrace. 

‘Hi Buddy’ she replies and at that very moment my world is fine.