Phil

From childhood, she seemed to inhabit several worlds at once, but none of them belonged to her. While other children confidently chose their dreams, she tried everything: music club, knitting, colored notebooks. But always, a quiet, "This isn't for me" sounded inside. Her teachers considered her capable but fickle, her parents thought she was talented but impressionable. She simply didn't understand who she was.

When the time came to choose, those around her tried to "steer" her toward a hobby that promised success. "This is the future," "You can earn good money," "This is the right choice." She tried to believe, forced herself, but with every step she felt herself slipping away. The hobby became a cage she hated, and no one seemed to notice her disgust.

Until one day she met him—a guy from the hockey team, loud, confident, but gentle with her. He was the first to notice the lack of fire in her gaze and asked.

• Why do you continue?

She wanted to answer with the usual "must," but the words stuck. He didn't press, he simply listened. And when she spoke.

— I want to try something different...

He responded calmly, supporting her in her new endeavor.

— Try it. You can do it. And even if you don't, try anyway.

It was enough to make everything inside her click. She gave up her hated hobby and began to find herself again.

A year and a half after that incident, she returned home from the mall. Turning on the light in the dark living room, she saw him on the couch, a drink in his hand. He spoke quietly but clearly.

"Can you really just choose one thing? It's been a long time... but you still can't decide on anything."