It was just after the last class of the day, when most students had already scattered across campus—some laughing loudly with friends, others checking their phones, caught in the rhythm of life. But tucked away in the quiet hallway of the science building, there was a window. A wide one, overlooking the courtyard. And beneath it, an old wooden bench with faded blue paint and initials carved into its side.

That’s where you saw her. Again.

She was always there around this time. Sitting sideways, one leg folded beneath her, the other swinging gently just above the floor. Her long white hair fell like spilled moonlight over her shoulders, catching soft rays of the setting sun. She wasn’t looking out the window, though. She had her head down, writing something in a worn, brown notebook. The same one she always carried.

You hesitated—then sat beside her. She didn’t flinch. Didn’t look at you right away.

A minute passed in silence before she gently closed her notebook, placing her fingers between the pages as a makeshift bookmark. Then, her voice.

"...You're the one who always eats lunch under the tree by the library, right?"

Soft. Like she wasn’t sure if it was okay to speak. You nodded. She offered a faint smile—fragile, but real. Her violet eyes met yours, full of calm depth.

“I’ve... always thought that spot looked peaceful.”

Another pause. Then she shifted, her hand resting lightly on her knee as she looked back out the window.

“I like watching people live,” she said. “It makes the days feel longer. In a good way.”

You wanted to ask something—maybe her name, maybe why she always looked tired, or why she wore that charm bracelet missing two pieces. But something about her presence made silence feel safe. Comfortable.

Eventually, she looked at you again.

“I’m Elise,” she said quietly. “Sorry if I don’t talk much. I get tired fast... but I’m trying.”

Another gentle smile.

“I think it’s nice to have someone to sit with, even if there’s nothing to say.”

And just like that, she looked back out the window—sunlight fading into golden tones, catching in her pale white hair. That was your first chat.

And for some reason… It stayed with you all night.

Daniels eyes held hers briefly as he introduced himself. "It's nice to finally put a name to the face," she said softly. Her fingers absently twirled a lock of her hair as they fell back against the bench, content for now in this quiet moment. She took in his features, noticing how he had dark brown curls framing his face, intense blue eyes that seemed to hold a million stories behind them, and soft looking lips that could either smile reassuringly or look stern when need be. He was perhaps a bit taller than her, with broad shoulders and long arms which she imagined were good for hugging.

Despite his obvious physical strength, there was an underlying gentleness about him that made her feel safe. It was the same sort of gentleness she found in certain songs or paintings, a quiet beauty that could only be truly appreciated when one took the time to truly see it.

She didn't want to think too much about why this particular interaction had stayed with her; perhaps because it was rare for someone to willingly sit beside her without any sort of obligation or expectations. Whatever the reason, she decided to enjoy this moment and maybe even continue their conversation another time. For now though, they could simply be two people sharing a bench under a sky full of stars.

The night deepened around them as they talked about everything and nothing at all. There were quiet moments where neither spoke, content to just listen to the sounds of the campus fading into the background; leaves rustling in the wind, distant laughter from students still gathered in study groups or socializing, the occasional car driving past on their way home. Sometimes she would close her eyes and just feel his presence beside her, warm and solid like a friendly shadow in the dark.

She told him about her love for poetry and how it helped her cope with the pain and fatigue that sometimes felt like they were tearing her apart from the inside out. He shared stories of his family back home and how much they meant to him, their voices coming alive in the night air as if he'd known them all his life.

It was late when they finally stood up, stretching achy muscles and brushing off any remaining traces of dirt or debris from the bench. Elise smiled softly at Daniel, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before she spoke."Thank you for staying with me tonight," she said quietly, her voice little more than a whisper against the stillness of the night. "It means more to me than you'll ever know."

He smiled back, his blue eyes gentle and understanding. "Anytime, Elise. Anytime at all." And with those words still hanging in the air between them, they parted ways, each going their separate paths towards their own homes under the starlit sky. But despite knowing that their time together had come to an end for now, she couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and contentment washing over her as if everything was finally back in place in some small, intangible way.

As Elise walked away from their meeting spot, she found herself humming softly under her breath; the tune was one that came to her often during these quiet moments when the world seemed to pause and allow her the luxury of feeling alive for just a brief moment. The night air was cool against her skin, but it felt good; rejuvenating somehow. It reminded her of autumn days spent picking apples at her parents' farm back home, the leaves crunching beneath her feet as she climbed the ladders to reach higher branches.

Her fingers absently traced shapes in the air beside her as she walked, as if by doing so she could capture and hold on to the memories of their conversation for just a little while longer before they drifted away with the night winds. She knew that things would be difficult tomorrow; another day filled with classes, doctors' appointments, and the never-ending battle against exhaustion and pain. But tonight, she felt lighter somehow; as if a small piece of the burden had been lifted from her shoulders and carried away by the stars above.

Elise couldn't help but hope that this sense of peace would last, that perhaps there would be more nights like this one where she could simply sit beneath the moonlight with someone who understood her, even if only a little bit. It was enough for now; enough to give her strength for whatever challenges lay ahead tomorrow.

As the days turn into weeks and the weeks into months, their routine becomes almost sacred to them. It is as if that old wooden bench beneath the window has become their own personal sanctuary; a refuge from the harsh realities of life and all its challenges. The sky changes with the seasons, but no matter what color it paints the heavens above, they find comfort in each other's presence.

Elise begins to share more of her poetry with Daniel, scribbling down new verses on scraps of paper during their conversations or later tucking them into his backpack for him to find when she's gone. He listens patiently, nodding along as if he understands the depth of emotion she pours into each word, and always offers a kind comment or encouragement in return.

Their friendship deepens over time; they talk about their hopes and dreams for the future, sharing secrets they've never told anyone else. They laugh together at silly inside jokes, and when one of them is feeling particularly low, the other will be there with a soft touch or a gentle word to make it better. It is a connection unlike any she has ever known; real and raw in its honesty, yet safe and comforting all at once.

There are still moments where Elise wonders how much longer this peace can last; how much longer she'll be able to keep up with her illness slowly but surely gaining ground on her. But for now, she chooses to focus on each precious moment spent beside Daniel beneath the starry sky, taking comfort in the knowledge that no matter what happens tomorrow or the day after that, they will have this time together; their secret sanctuary where nothing else matters but their connection and the love they share.

"Daniel," she whispers, taking his hand in hers and looking into his eyes with the same gentle intensity that had drawn him to her so many months ago. "I don't know what to say..." Her voice trails off as a blush creeps up her cheeks, mixing painfully with the pale purple circles around her eyes. She swallows hard, her Adam's apple bobbing visibly in her throat before she continues, "But I feel the same way."

Her words hang heavy in the air between them, unspoken for what feels like an eternity as they stare at each other, neither quite believing that what they've just shared is real. When he leans forward and kisses her, it's a soft brush of lips against skin, gentle and trembling with emotion. She closes her eyes, savoring the feeling of his mouth on hers, of his warmth pressing close to hers, as if they were two halves of a whole finally finding their way back together again.

When they break apart, it's with reluctance; she reaches up and runs a finger gently along his jawline before speaking again. "I don't know how much time we have..." Her voice breaks on the words, thick with unshed tears. "...But I want to spend every second with you that I can." She pauses, searching his eyes for any sign of what he's thinking, what he feels about this new revelation between them. "I love you too, Daniel," she whispers softly. "I've loved you for so long..."

There is no regret in her voice when she says these words; only honesty and a profound sense of relief that the truth has finally been spoken aloud between them. For now, all that matters is being here with him beneath the stars;

I... I don't know if that's such a good idea. My illness can be unpredictable, and I don't want to set myself up for disappointment. But... I suppose it couldn't hurt to try. She thinks about it for a moment before nodding slowly, then looking back up at him with a tentative smile. Okay. If that's what you really want me to do, I'll make the list. And we can do as much of it together as I can manage.

She leans closer to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and resting her head on his shoulder. Even through his shirt, she can feel the warmth of his skin, and it comforts her immensely. Thank you for understanding, Daniel. And... thank you for loving me too. It means more than you'll ever know.

Together they sit there beneath the stars, holding each other close as if their very lives depend on it. The night air carries whispers of promises and dreams, of hopes and fears, all woven together by a thread that connects them now in ways they never thought possible. As they share this moment under the watchful gaze of countless stars, they know that whatever tomorrow may bring, they will face it together; side by side until the very end.

I... I love you too, Daniel. And thank you. Thank you so much for saying that. Your support means more to me than I can ever express in words. She closes her eyes, feeling the warmth of his body against hers and the strength of his arms around her. For a fleeting moment, she allows herself to believe that perhaps everything will be alright; that they really might find a way to beat this thing together. Gently, she rests her hand on his cheek, tracing the outline of his jaw with her thumb as she continues softly I'll start on the list tomorrow. Tonight... let's just enjoy our time under the stars and forget about everything else for a little while longer. Okay?

They settle in together, side by side on the old wooden bench. Their hands find each other, intertwining as if they've always belonged that way. The air around them hums with a sense of peace and contentment; it almost feels like the world has momentarily stopped spinning, leaving them alone in this perfect bubble of love and connection.

The stars begin to twinkle above them, casting a soft glow over their faces as they gaze up into the night sky. They point out constellations they recognize and make up stories about those they don't; laughing together at the absurdity of it all but unable to deny the joy that comes from simply being in each other's company like this.

Time seems to stand still for a while, stretching into an infinite moment where nothing matters except their love and the simple act of sharing it beneath the stars. It's a feeling unlike any Elise has ever experienced before; a sense of peace that washes over her, chasing away even the smallest traces of doubt and fear about the future.

As they sit there together, lost in each other's presence and the beauty of the night sky above them, she can't help but wonder if maybe their love truly is some sort of cosmic miracle; a shining star amongst countless others that defies explanation or understanding. But even if it is just that - a fleeting glimpse at something greater than themselves - Elise knows that as long as they have each other, nothing else will ever matter.

You are right. In this moment, holding your hand feels like the most natural thing in the world. It's as if we've always been meant to be together; our fingers intertwined, our hearts beating in unison against the silence of the night. The stars seem brighter when I look at them through your eyes, and their light illuminates every corner of my soul, chasing away the shadows that have haunted me for so long.

I know that things might not always be this perfect; that life has a way of throwing us curveballs when we least expect it. But as long as we have each other, I truly believe that we can face anything together. And even when our time comes to part ways from this world, I will carry the memory of you and these moments with me, like a precious jewel hidden deep within my heart.

For now, though, let's enjoy this perfect night beneath the stars; lose ourselves in each other's love and laughter until dawn breaks across the horizon and the world once again comes to life around us. Our time together may be fleeting, but it will always be cherished, like a treasured memory that grows brighter with every passing day.