March brought with it the silence everyone had longed for.Leon had finally found peace — the darkness that once consumed his soul had almost completely vanished. There were no longer any signs of inner struggle, only a man who was slowly but steadily returning to himself.
At school, the atmosphere had shifted just as clearly. Among the students — and especially within their closest circle of friends — whispers about Leon and Nadia were spreading. Nobody pretended anymore not to see that there was something more between them. Their glances, their gestures, their small smiles — everything spoke for itself.
Nadia and Leon were like two flames, which despite the winter, burned more boldly beside each other, impatient for the moment when they would finally merge. The tension between them was almost tangible, and every touch or moment of closeness sent hearts racing and brought forth quiet sighs.
But they both knew it wasn't yet time to take that step. They waited patiently, letting things ripen at their own pace. Because sometimes the greatest strength lies in the ability to wait — for the moment when everything would truly become theirs.
Nadia walked slowly along the school garden, the cold air brushing her cheeks, while her thoughts wandered far away. She felt the calmness of this place soothing the lingering tension within her.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps — it was Leon approaching, carrying a faint smile, as if he held warmth within him that he wanted to share with her.
"Hey," he said softly, stopping by her side.
Nadia looked at him, her eyes shimmering with something elusive — a mixture of joy and uncertainty."Hey, Leon."
They strolled down the path, chatting about little things that slowly faded into the background, making way for words that mattered more.
"You know," Leon began, stopping and gazing deeply into her eyes, "there's something important I've been meaning to tell you. I couldn't before… because that darkness still had such a hold on me. But now… now I feel like I can be myself."
Nadia felt her heart beating faster."So do I…" she whispered.
Leon's smile grew warmer as he stepped a little closer."I want us to give ourselves a chance. Something real. Official. I don't want to pretend anymore or be afraid. You matter to me… more than I can put into words."
Nadia met his eyes, feeling a wave of warmth spreading through her entire body."I've been waiting for this too," she said calmly. "And I believe we can build it together."
Leon gently took her hand and gave it a soft squeeze."Let's begin today."
The wind rustled quietly around them, and the world seemed to grow brighter, offering them both hope for a new beginning.
Leon held Nadia's hand tenderly, their gazes intertwined like threads of fate. The moment hung between them — filled with uncertainty, longing, and promise.
Slowly, with both hesitation and courage, Leon leaned closer. His lips met hers softly, shyly at first, as though testing a fragile new reality.
Nadia closed her eyes and surrendered to the feeling, her heart racing as the world around them fell silent. The kiss deepened, blending tenderness with the undeniable desire that had been hidden for so long.
When at last they parted, their smiles said everything — this was the beginning of something beautiful, something real.
Leon squeezed her fingers and whispered:"I'm happy."
And Nadia answered with a look full of hope and warmth — light strong enough to brighten even the darkest days.
***
Alicja burst into the hallway and practically threw herself at Natan, who was calmly trying to push through the crowd of students.
"Natan! I have to tell you something!" she whispered dramatically, as though she were revealing the secret of the century.
Natan raised his brows and stopped."What is it? Did you see another ghost in the bathroom, or is this time an even bigger paranormal disaster?" he teased, grinning.
"No, this time it's worse! I ran into a wandering spirit that… doesn't want to leave!" Alicja rolled her eyes and lowered her voice to an even quieter whisper. "And he keeps pestering me! Like I have time for ghosts right now!"
Natan grimaced theatrically."Hey, Alicja, you're the medium! That's your job, not mine!"
"Exactly!" Alicja protested. "So what am I supposed to say: 'Excuse me, Mr. Ghost, but I have a history test tomorrow, so I can't talk right now'?"
"Exactly!" Natan laughed. "Or: 'Please calm down, spirit, I'll be right out of class and then we can chat.'"
"Seriously, it's not funny! He's so annoying. Sometimes I feel like he just wants someone to talk to…" Alicja shrugged.
"Then invite him for tea!" Natan suggested, folding his arms like a stage actor. "Maybe he'll like it and stick around longer."
"Oh, genius, I can already see it," Alicja mocked him. "'Hello, ghost, would you like some sugar? Milk? Maybe an air freshener?'"
Natan burst out laughing and then pretended to shiver."Or imagine the ghost getting picky: 'Hey, Alicja, where's my cup? Did someone forget to wash the dishes again?'"
Alicja doubled over with laughter."You know… that's not actually such a bad idea. Maybe I do need a little tea séance."
Natan gave her a mock-serious look."You realize that's kind of like a date, right? Except with ghosts instead of guys."
Alicja snorted."In that case, I hope ghosts are more sensitive than guys!"
"Hey! What about me?" Natan pretended to be offended.
Alicja flashed him a wide grin."Well, alright — I can make an exception for you."
They both laughed together until the bell interrupted their banter.
"So, Alicja? Fighting ghosts today, or do you want to spend a little time with me instead?" Natan asked playfully.
"Don't count on it!" she answered with a mischievous smile. "But if anything comes up, you know where to find me."
***
Alicja sat on the bed, wrapped in a soft blanket, with a book open on her lap. The silence of the room gave her a moment of respite—especially after all the recent events. But the calm did not last long.
Suddenly, a cold draft rustled in the corner of the room, and a delicate, barely audible whisper cut through the stillness. Alicja frowned, set the book aside, and looked toward the sound.
"Alicja... Help me move on," she heard faintly, almost pleadingly.
Startled, she stood up and glanced around nervously. Out of the darkness emerged the figure of a boy with sorrowful eyes and pale features.
"Who... who are you?" she asked hesitantly.
"My name is Simon," the ghost replied. "I died here more than twenty years ago. I was stabbed while trying to save my friend."
Alicja took a step forward, feeling the chill seep through her body.
"Why didn't you leave with the other spirits?"
Simon lowered his gaze."Something binds me here. I still linger, because I could not stay by her side. My feelings for her were too strong—I was in love with her."
Alicja felt compassion tighten her chest."Tell me what you need from me," she asked softly.
"Help me find a way to leave this place."
Alicja slowly nodded."We'll try together."
The silence that followed in the room was different this time—filled with hope and understanding.
***
The next day, during a meeting in the room, Alicja couldn't stop herself from telling Natan, Nadia, and Leon about being haunted by Simon's ghost.
"He was a boy who died here over twenty years ago," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "He was stabbed while trying to save his friend, the girl he loved. He couldn't move on, because something still ties him to this place."
Leon suddenly frowned, his gaze turning distant. A scene flashed in his mind from long ago, a vision from a dream—he, as Alan, had witnessed that moment: Laura weeping, whispering that her friend was gone, that she couldn't save him.
"It's true..." Leon murmured, almost to himself. "I saw it... when I was Alan."
Nadia looked at Alicja with curiosity. Focusing her energy, she established a subtle connection with Simon, sending him words of comfort.
"Simon, I am the daughter of Sara and Oliver. I know how hard this is for you. We'll help you find peace," she said gently, as though speaking to a dear friend.
Alicja, still focused, repeated Simon's words that echoed in her mind and heart:"Nadia... I am happy that you are Sara and Oliver's daughter. It is incredible that their blood still flows, that they have you."
Warmth spread through Nadia's chest, though tension grew as the ghost continued:"Tell me... do you know what happened to Laura? Is she safe? For years I worried about her, unable to protect her until the end of that nightmare."
Nadia glanced at Alicja, who silently confirmed her readiness to pass on the answer."From what I know from my mother, Laura is alive and safe," Nadia replied.
Simon's face, though unseen, seemed to brighten with relief and hope."Thank you... that gives me strength to move forward and finally find peace."
Nadia, her voice trembling slightly, pulled out her phone and called her mother."Mom, I have to tell you something... there's a ghost, Simon, the one Alicja spoke of. The one who died long ago... and he... he knows you. He wants to reach out."
Sara immediately sensed the gravity of the moment. She asked Alicja to pass a message to Simon, assuring him she would speak with him. Then she addressed the spirit:
"Simon, I know Laura troubles your heart. I want you to know that she is happy. She lives abroad now, she has a husband, and she is living the best life she could ever dream of. Please, believe me and rest in peace. You don't have to worry about her anymore."
Simon's presence grew lighter, and after a moment, a wave of relief washed over them—the spirit had taken her words to heart.
"Thank you... truly, thank you," they heard through Alicja, before Simon finally embraced peace, granting them all a breath of freedom.
Nadia still held the phone to her ear."Mom, tell me more about Simon. Who exactly was he?"
Sara took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts."Simon was a spirit who died more than twenty years ago. He was very close to Laura—her friend, though he loved her deeply. He died saving her, stabbed by a knife in that old building where the school stands now. He was truly a wonderful boy. His death shook us all, but most of all Laura, who loved him too."
"He must have loved her so deeply, if he remained here all this time, still worrying about her."
The young friends exchanged gentle smiles. It was a beautiful love—tragic, yet unforgettable.