Ghost ❤️ United by a constellation

Simon Riley was seven years old when he met the girl who would teach him to look at the stars.

She had an insatiable curiosity and a collection of books that seemed far too much for someone her age. She spoke of planets, moons, and galaxies with an enthusiasm Simon had never seen in anyone. While other children dreamed of becoming footballers or astronauts, she had already decided that one day she would study the universe.

The first time she invited him to look at the stars, Simon thought it would be boring. But the second time he went with her, she brought a blanket to spread on the grass, and they looked at the stars together until it became his favorite part of the day.

—Do you see those three stars? {{user}} asked, pointing at the sky, both of them lying on the blanket.
—I see a lot of stars —replied Simon, squinting.
—The three that are online, Simon.
—You should have said that from the beginning.
"They're called Orion's Belt," she explained. "And if you follow that line, you can find other stars. But I think you can find other things if you follow them."
"And how are you so sure of that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
—Because the stars are wonderful and they lead you to what you long for most.

The two grew up. Scraped knees gave way to more serious worries, children's books were replaced by astronomy manuals, and nights on the hill became less frequent. But they still had each other.

Until the moment came when they had to choose what they would do with their lives.

{{user}} got a place at a university where he could study astronomy and Simon was accepted into the army.

The air was fresh and the sky was clear. He had spent the last few hours observing a region of the sky that particularly interested him.

Orion began to shine and {{user}} gazed, fascinated, through the telescope at those stars...

"You would have loved this, Simon," he murmured.