The next few weeks passed by quickly. Leo and I were getting closer and closer, and I was falling for him more every day. We spent our afternoons exploring the city, trying new foods, and talking about our future plans. Leo was an artist, and he showed me some of his paintings and drawings. I was impressed by his talent and his passion for art.
One day, Leo surprised me by taking me to a small art gallery downtown. It was a beautiful space, filled with paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. I was in awe as I walked through the gallery, admiring the beauty and creativity of the pieces on display.
As we stood in front of a particularly stunning painting, Leo took my hand and looked into my eyes. "I have something to tell you," he said. "Something important."
I felt my heart skip a beat. What could he be about to say?
"I'm moving away," he said. "To New York. My family is relocating, and I have to go with them."
I felt a knot form in my stomach. This couldn't be happening. I had just found someone I cared about deeply, and now he was leaving.
"When?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"In two weeks," he said. "I'm sorry. I wish things could be different."
For a moment, I felt like I was going to cry. But then, I remembered something my mom had told me when I was younger: "Everything happens for a reason."
Maybe Leo was meant to come into my life, just to show me that love was possible. Maybe he was meant to leave, so that I could learn how to let go.
I took a deep breath and looked at Leo. "We still have two weeks," I said. "Let's make the most of them."
And we did. We spent every moment together, soaking up each other's company and making memories that would last a lifetime.
On the day that Leo left for New York, I stood outside the airport with tears streaming down my face. I hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go.
"I'll never forget you," he said, looking into my eyes. "Never."
And with that, he was gone.
For a while, I felt lost. But then, I remembered something else my mom had told me: "Life is a journey, not a destination."
Leo had been a part of my journey, and now it was time for me to move forward, to see where life would take me next.