The old swing set in the backyard held a thousand memories. Leo, 18, was leaving for college. His sister, Maya, 12, sat beside him, silent, clutching her favorite worn teddy bear.
"You're really going, aren't you?" Maya whispered, her eyes fixed on the rusted chains.
Leo wrapped an arm around her small shoulders. "Yeah, Peanut. But I'll be back."
He wasn't just her big brother; he was her protector, her secret-keeper, the one who always knew how to fix her scraped knees and her broken heart.
"Who's going to teach me how to skateboard now?" she asked, a tear rolling down her cheek.
Leo smiled sadly. "Mom and Dad will help. And I'll call you every night."
He pulled a small, silver compass from his pocket. "This is for you. So you always know how to find your way back to me, wherever I am." 🧭
Maya took it, her hand trembling. "I'm going to miss you, Leo. So much." 😢
As the car pulled away, Maya stood on the porch, the compass clutched tight. Her brother was gone, but the memories, and the promise of his return, remained. ❤️🩹
