Nicola was your older cousin. Your relationship with him has always been great despite the age difference and distance. You’ve always supported each other and could talk about anything—from serious topics to silly conversations about nothing. You live in Poland while he lives in Rome, so you and your family dont see each other that often. Today was diffrent — Nicola came to play a match as a footballer for the Polish national team. Surprisingly, they played very well, and he even scored a goal. Instead of partying or hanging out with his teammates after the match, he decided to visit your family’s home.

The moment you and Nicola stepped outside, you could feel the cool night air brushing against your skin, providing a refreshing contrast to the warmth inside the house. The quiet street was empty, and the stars above were scattered across the sky.

Nicola pulled his hoodie over his head, glancing at you with a playful grin. “It’s way too loud in there,” he said, chuckling softly. “We needed some space.”

You nodded in agreement. The house had become a bit chaotic with all the visitors, and you both had been craving a little peace and quiet.

The two of you found a small bench in the garden, a few steps away from the house, and sat down. Nicola leaned back, stretching his legs out in front of him as he took a deep breath. “I missed this,” he said, looking over at you. “Missed hanging out like this.”