There is much to live for.

In the depths of the forest, Vitus sat on a huge tree stump, gazing at the distant horizon where the trees met the blue sky. Birds chirped around him, but the sound that echoed in his heart was weaker than the sounds of nature. His heart carried a mixture of admiration and fear, and his greatest fear was losing his only friend at school.

How had he fled from him today? Why had he felt afraid of Orleus's gaze, which was filled with anticipation and concern? Why had he left him, calling him? These questions spun endlessly in his mind. He knew he was different from Orleus in every way, in appearance, status, and the ability to influence others, but he hadn't expected to feel this isolated after running away from the boy he thought would be by his side to face the others.

"Is it possible that Orleus now has new friends?" Vitus whispered to himself. He knew he couldn't stand up to the bullies alone. Even with his physical strength, he struggled with a lack of self-confidence. And though he wished he were like Orleus, he couldn't shake off the feeling of frustration that haunted him.

Lost in his thoughts, suddenly, he heard a distant voice coming from deep within the forest. It was a quiet sound, but he knew it well. It was Orleus's voice calling him. "Vitus, Vitus, where are you?"

Vitus stood up quickly, his heart racing faster. The voice grew closer, and he tried to move toward it, but suddenly, a group of boys appeared, their faces twisted in mockery. They approached him, laughing maliciously.

"Ha! Who's here?" one of them said, shoving him with his shoulder.

Vitus felt the heavy hand pushing him back, frightened at first, but before he could speak, he felt another pain when one of them struck him in the chest. Everything spun in his mind, not knowing what to do or how to escape. But at that moment, Orleus suddenly appeared in front of them, bravely standing his ground.

"Stay away from him!" Orleus said in a steady voice, his eyes filled with defiance. His tone was calm, but his words carried strength. "If you think you can manipulate him, I'm here now. And if you continue with this behavior, I will tell everyone what you've done. I'll tell your families, the teacher, and everyone at school."

The boys looked at each other, doubting Orleus's ability to carry out his threat. But they took a step back, realizing that Orleus wasn't just a stylish boy, but someone with enough courage to be stronger than they had imagined.

"And more than that," Orleus continued, smiling with a hint of arrogance, "I'll tell the teacher, who clearly trusts me, and maybe she'll believe me more than you."

These words struck the boys like a lightning bolt. They knew well how the teacher preferred Orleus and showed him appreciation, so they hesitated and retreated further.

"You... you wouldn't dare!" one of the boys said, turning his back hesitantly.

"I already did," Orleus said confidently, gesturing with his hand for them to back off. "So, I suggest you leave. You don't want your families to know everything."

The boys started walking away one by one, leaving Vitus and Orleus standing together in silence. When they were gone, Vitus looked at Orleus with a faint smile on his face.

"Thank you, Orleus. I...," Vitus began, but Orleus raised his hand calmly.

"No need to thank me. We're friends, aren't we?" Orleus said, smiling at him. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

At that moment, Vitus felt something stir in his heart. Those words meant more than just support. They meant he had someone who truly cared about him.

The next day, Vitus and Orleus met in the courtyard after class, sitting on a wooden bench beside a small fountain. The atmosphere was calm, the wind gently playing with the tree leaves, while the sun was about to set. It was the perfect place for a conversation.

Vitus looked at Orleus carefully, then said quietly, "You're really different from everyone. Everyone respects you, but I don't understand how you do that."

Orleus smiled gently and said while watching the fountain, "It's simple. Dealing with people takes time, and trust comes with understanding. Everyone here has their own story, and I'm just trying to be kind to everyone."

"But people treat me like an outsider, whispering behind my back. I don't know how to deal with that. Do you think they believe me?" Vitus asked, his voice full of doubt.

"Of course. People might think things at first, but over time, they'll see the truth. All you have to do is be honest with yourself. No matter what they say, don't let their words affect you. Dignity comes from within, and in the end, they'll know you for who you really are."

He paused for a moment, then added, "As I said before, I need to be stronger. I don't want to lose friends because of fear."

Orleus smiled and said, "You won't lose your friends, Vitus. Just keep being yourself. And I'm here if you need help."

Vitus felt something lighten his heart, a sense of peace he hadn't expected. Maybe he wasn't as alone as he thought.

"You're a special person, Orleus," Vitus said, looking at his friend with grateful eyes.

Orleus gave him a calm look and smiled, "We're all special, we just need time to realize it."

Vitus sat next to Orleus, still thinking about his last words. There was something in the way he spoke, in the way he expressed himself, that made him seem much older than his age. His curiosity pushed him to ask a question that had been on his mind for a while. He looked at Orleus and said with curiosity:

"You sometimes talk like you're much older. Your words, your thoughts, even your tone of voice, everything makes it seem like you've lived a different life. Do you know? Sometimes I think you're someone else."

Orleus smiled humbly, took a deep breath before responding, "You're right in what you say. But I haven't always been like this. There's been a lot in my life that made me learn early how to deal with people and how to see things differently."

Then Orleus began to tell him in detail about his family's city, an ancient city filled with stories and heritage. He said, "I grew up in a big city, but it was full of calm and memories. My mother, who was a fashion designer, was always busy creating new and innovative clothes. She had a unique artistic taste that reflected her personality. I remember how she would spend long hours exploring fabrics and colors, and how she would explain every detail of each design."

Orleus added, with a tender smile on his face, "My father was an archaeologist. I would accompany him on some of his trips as we searched through the ruins of ancient cities. He would explain the history of every artifact and tell me stories about past civilizations. Through him, I learned that everything in this world has a history, and everything has a deep meaning behind it."

Orleus paused for a moment, then continued, "All those experiences helped me become who I am now. I understand things differently, maybe more than others. I learned that life is not just a collection of passing details, but a series of interconnected stories."

Vitus, who was listening intently, felt admiration for what he heard. It seemed that Orleus had lived a life full of challenges and knowledge. Vitus said thoughtfully, "You really are different, but that made me understand you more. I think I need a long time to see life the way you see it."

Orleus looked at Vitus and said with a light smile, "Don't worry, Vitus. Everything in its time. You won't discover everything in one day. Just look for the things that spark your curiosity, and enjoy learning. Life is full of secrets."

Orleus said, looking at Vitus with eyes full of faith: "I'll be with you, and I'll tell you everything. About how my family blends modernity with tradition, how my career is the result of deep traditions and modern ambitions. My mother, who makes the future, always strives for what's new, chasing beauty and renewal. She finds in her designs a vision for tomorrow, shaping its features through every piece of fabric.

As for my father, he studies the past, living in history as though it were present in his hands. He's an archaeologist, looking for every stone and every inscription to rebuild the stories of bygone civilizations. When he talks about past civilizations, you feel the depth in his words.

Isn't that wonderful? To have parents who combine the past and the future, beauty and heritage? I promise I'll tell you about the beauty in my mother's designs and the caution of her friends, and how my father's reckless friends always created unconventional moments. It will be fun, especially since this is the first time I'll be sharing my stories with someone."

He looked at Vitus with a smile, as if promising him a new world would open up before him.

Orleus spoke softly, "My father is now looking for a stone. If he finds it and sells it to the heir of one of the noble families the stone belongs to, we'll become very rich, and we'll move to live abroad. I'll study there, as a prestigious person."

Vitus was shocked, not expecting this conversation. He felt a mix of sadness and tension. But Orleus noticed the change in his expression and smiled gently, saying, "So, let's hope my father doesn't find it, and that we stay here together, maybe living our lives as we are, without losing anything."