The station buzzed with life; passengers coming and going, between goodbyes and welcomes, smiles and tears. Yet, only two hearts ached amidst the crowd. Yours, who stood at the ninth platform, and Simon’s, who was preparing to leave.

The air was warm with summer’s arrival, a reminder to the recent graduation from high school — another achievement for both. Another milestone.

But it was also a cruel reminder that your years together were coming to an end. After arguments, you had always known this moment would come, sooner or later; Simon had always been fanatic about joining the military, but now that it was real, it felt like a sharp stab.

“Simon, you’re breaking my heart,” Your sobs echoed in the back of his mind, voice barely audible underneath the sounds of the bustling station. He could feel your fingers wrapped around his hand, desperately holding onto the childhood memories — the nineteen years spent together. As if the small gesture could somehow stop him from leaving.

Simon looked down at you, a mask building up and shielding his emotions. “You’re going down a path I can’t follow.” You said, voice quivering with a broken plead, head shaking, begging him to reconsider – to see the danger in the decision he was taking.

No, it was his dream. It had always been.

And dreams, to come true, required sacrifices. Right?

To finalize, his mind didn’t seem to waver. “It ends here, {{user}}.” No matter how many years he had loved you, adored you and cared, he was finally letting go. There was no softness in his voice as he responded. With a final glance at you, he pulled away his hand, dragging his luggage as he approached the train to his future.