She sat by the pool's edge.
Her legs dangling in the water. Swinging back and forth.
Across the pool, another child was doing exactly the same thing.
They looked at each other.
Then they both smiled.
Meeting at the Pool
"I'm Mia,“ said the girl across from her. ”What's your name?"
“Selenga.”
"That's a beautiful name. Where are you from?"
“From a city far away. You?”
“Me too. But a different city.”
“Is this your first time here?”
“First time. You?”
“Mine too.”
“Two first times,” Mia said with a grin. “Perfect.”
Every Single Day
Every morning, Mia waited by the pool.
Every morning, Selenga ran to meet her.
They swam together. They dove together. They counted who could hold their breath the longest.
In the afternoons, they played in the sand. They built castles. The waves knocked them down. They laughed and built again.
At sunset, they shared ice cream—sitting side by side.
The Last Day
On the fifth morning, Mia arrived looking different. Sad.
"What's wrong?" Selenga asked.
"We're leaving today."
Selenga froze.
“When?”
“This afternoon.”
Neither spoke.
“Will we see each other again?” Selenga whispered.
"I don't know."
“Our cities are so far apart.”
“They are.”
Both girls stared at the water.
“But these five days were wonderful,” Mia said quietly.
“Really wonderful.”
Saying Goodbye
That afternoon, Mia pulled her suitcase behind her.
Selenga waited by the pool's edge.
"I'm going now," Mia said.
“I know.”
"Don't forget me."
"I won't."
Mia hugged her—quick and tight. Then she left.
Selenga watched her go. All the way until she disappeared through the gate.
After
Selenga returned to the pool.
She sat on the edge. Let her legs dangle. Touched her toes to the water.
Alone.
But not exactly sad.
She felt something strange—beautiful and sad at the same time. Both together.
“Mom,” she said when her mother found her.
“I saw,” her mother said. She sat down beside her.
“I might never see her again.”
“You might not.”
“So what happens to this wonderful friendship?”
“It stays with you. In your memory.”
“Is memory enough?”
Her mother thought for a moment. “Sometimes short but beautiful moments take up more space in our hearts than long, ordinary ones.”
Selenga looked at the water.
Five days. Short.
But real.
A Note for Parents
Vacation friendships are important social experiences for children. Saying goodbye is hard, but it teaches a valuable lesson: that meaningful connections don't need to last forever to matter. Be present with your child during these moments. Let them feel their emotions. Remind them that the joy they shared is real and worth remembering, even when friendships are brief.