Kylian and I started dating right after we graduated from high school. I can still vividly remember how he shyly confessed his feelings to me, barely able to look up. The slight blush on his ears showed just how nervous he was.

"Gabriella, I like you," he said. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

Our eyes met, and both of us quickly looked away, caught in the awkwardness of young love. Though our hearts were full of affection, we were hopelessly awkward about it.

It was just before Thanksgiving when he confessed, and the crisp autumn air outside hinted at the coming winter. We wandered through the lively town square, festively decorated for the holidays. The scent of spiced honey cakes drifted from a nearby café, blending with the aroma of fresh coffee. People enjoyed dinner rolls and pulled pork sandwiches as they hurried through the streets, wrapped in cozy coats.

Later, in the warmth of my old family home, we held steaming mugs of coffee, sharing our hopes and dreams amidst the soft glow of the lamps. The walls were adorned with paintings reminiscent of alpine scenes, transporting us to distant landscapes even as we stayed in our familiar surroundings.

And so began our relationship, nurtured by shared moments and growing understanding, as we discovered the delicate dance of young love in our own culturally rich and vibrant setting.

Back in those days, he was just a young man, full of passion and sincerity. Whenever it rained, he'd show up with an umbrella for me. If my stomach hurt, he’d massage it patiently. In the middle of the night, if I mentioned I was hungry, he'd head out without a hint of complaint to fetch me some pulled pork or spiced honey cake. At that time, I would save up for months to buy him the latest graphics card for his gaming computer. I'd spend a month planning and carefully preparing his birthday gift, ensuring it was just right, maybe a Victorian-style jacket or something he’d mentioned wanting from an online store. During our winter and summer breaks, we’d travel together, sometimes to the Alps or just to a cozy cabin where we could enjoy a Thanksgiving meal and cups of coffee.

Meeting him, I always felt lucky. We were transitioning from school uniforms into adulthood together. Six whole years. Yet now, he's destroyed my dreams for the future with his own actions.

A sudden noise jolted me back to reality.

In the distance, I saw the lights at the cafe dimming. A girl, with a radiant smile, emerged from the shop, arm-in-arm with Kylian. The door clicked shut behind them as they headed towards the hotel next door.

Standing on the crowded sidewalk, tears silently rolled down my cheeks. The warm breeze, filled with the day's heat, brushed past me, stirring a sense of irritation.

I turned and walked away.