The last evening

I'm sitting next to Bernd in shallow water of our secret lake.
We weren't really in the mood of playing this night.
It's the last evening before I leave after all.
So we just want to spend it together and relax.

We don't even talk most of the time. That's very unusual, especially for Bernd.
We just look up into the sky while it's getting dark.
The first stars are already there.

Bernd probably looks at my naked body, which I'm still not totally comfortable with, but I don't mind this evening.

So you'll really leave? There's really nothing I can do to change your mind?

I think so. I'm convinced this is the right choice.
You know, it's not because of you. I still like it here, but you know...

Yeah, I get it.

I just want to see the world.
I almost don't know about anything outside this village.
What's the furthest you have been to?

Probably one of the nearby villages.
Or maybe some nice place in the forest or a mountain.

And it's the same for me.

At least you go to the castle and not somewhere else.
It should be safe to go there. And it's not too far away.

That's part of the reason why I chose to go there.

I've heard about many interesting places besides other villages.
There's a nature region with tribes of people deeply connected to nature.
And there's a technologically very advanced city.
And these regions, inculding our rural region, are on the same piece of land.

This piece of land is surrounded by a huge ocean, which contains a lot of islands. On most of them the people also have their own unique cultures.
I can't imagine any of these cultures. I have no idea how different life can even be.
I never left my home. I haven't even seen the ocean yet.

The main reason I decided to go to the castle of all places is because it belongs to our rural region and I can learn a lot of stuff there.
I might be able to learn some useful abilities to improve our lifes. And maybe I can impress Lena.

Thanks for helping me so much, even if you're not happy about my decision.
I'm not sure if I would have been brave enough to leave without your help.

Of course I had to help you. You're my best friend.
And who knows? Maybe you would have left by yourself without knowing the correct paths, without the right equipment, a map and-

Since when do you worry about me?
I can also get along without you.

Yeah, I know.
It's just...
I've been always there for you and it will be difficult without you.
Without someone who really likes to be with me. Someone I can be a role model to, someone who... admires me.

I really admire his positive attitude all the time.
But I never realized how important I am to him.
But now it's clear to me. Every time he does something without me, he probably just wants to find an activity to have fun with me together. So now...?

I get close to him and start to hug him. He holds me as tight and long as he never did before.
Despite being naked, feeling his warm and wet naked body at my skin is very comfortable.

After we stopped hugging each other, we stay silent for a while.

I think there's still one thing I'd like to talk to you about.

What is it?

Uhm...
I think... I might have been an obstacle to you..., at least sometimes.

Why do you think so?

You're into Lena, aren't you?

As soon as he mentions Lena I feel stressed.
Probably because he might be right.
I'm not sure if I want to talk about her right now.

By spending so much time with you, I prevented you from getting closer to her.
Maybe I feared you wouldn't spend as much time with me anymore.
So-

Don't worry. I'm leaving anyway. I won't blame you for that.

If you really love her, I think you should visit her one last time.
You have to say goodbye to her properly.
And maybe you should open up to her a little more.

You just hope I would stay if we get closer.
I won't change my mind.

That's not my motivation anymore. I'm already pretty sure you won't change your mind.

I still don't think, that's a good idea.
They might be asleep already.
Besides that, she won't like me visiting her without notice.

Bernd smirks at me.

You also could just have denied your feelings to her.
But you didn't.

...

It just got dark. I'm sure they're still awake.
And I'm sure, Lena will be happy to see you.
I know she likes you, too.

You don't have to do this.
I'm not in the mood.
I want to spend this evening with you.
And after that I have to go to bed, so I get enough rest for tomorrow.

No more excuses!
If you don't do this, you will regret it.
I won't let you go home tonight as long as you aren't kicked out of their home.

He's so stubborn about this.
So we should at least hurry, so we won't bother them too much.
I'll just tell them about Bernd and after a few minutes I'll get out again.

Fine, but we have to go. I don't want to reach them too late.

Fine, in this case...

Bernd gets up quickly, grabs my hand and drags me with him.

I get up, too, and follow him.

Hey, we're still naked.

Bernd grabs our clothes while dragging me with him.

You don't want to wear wet clothes, when we get there.
The running will dry us.

Even if I'm not happy with running around naked, he got a point.
And at this time it's unlikely to be seen by anyone.

So we run until we reach the end of the forest.
Before leaving, I put my clothes back on.
Bernd only puts on his undies.

Then we keep going and soon we reach the house where the girls are living.

Are you ready?
I won't leave until you're inside.
I'll probably stay even longer, just to be sure.

Now it's time to go. I have to be brave.
I wonder if somebody opens.

Goodbye, Luka!

I don't get why he's saying it in such an emotional way.
We'll see again tomorrow.

But I don't want to ruin this moment.
So I hug him as if it was the last time we see each other before I run to their door.