He nods, as if to acknowledge that endings are almost always a little sad, even when there is something to look forward to on the other side.

Despite the fact that I have no regrets about how things turned out in my life, I still can't help wanting to understand my intense relationship with Leo, as well as that turbulent time between adolescence and adulthood when everything feels raw and invigorating and scary-and why those feelings are all coming back to me now.

Part of growing up is just taking what you learn from that and moving on and not taking it to heart.

I saw my earlier selves as different people, acquaintances I had outgrown. I wondered how I could ever have been some of them.

It's much easier to not know things sometimes. Things change and friends leave. And life doesn't stop for anybody.

It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn't matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over.