Sneen glitrede som diamanter på de gamle egegrene ved Roskilde Kostskole.

The snow glistened like diamonds on the old oak branches at Roskilde Kostskole.

Mikkel betragtede landskabet udenfor, mens han pillede ved kanten af sit skoleuniform.

Mikkel gazed at the landscape outside while fiddling with the edge of his school uniform.

Han savnede sit gamle hjem.

He missed his old home.

Alt her føltes fremmed, særligt efter hans forældres skilsmisse.

Everything here felt foreign, especially after his parents' divorce.

Søren var Mikkels værelseskammerat.

Søren was Mikkel's roommate.

Han var skolens stjernesvømmer og altid omgivet af venner.

He was the school's star swimmer and always surrounded by friends.

Søren smilede altid og havde en smittende energi.

Søren always smiled and had an infectious energy.

"Hej, Mikkel!

"Hey, Mikkel!

Kom med til svømmetræning efter skole," foreslog Søren en dag.

Come to swimming practice after school," Søren suggested one day.

Mikkel tøvede.

Mikkel hesitated.

Han havde aldrig været vild med svømning, især ikke om vinteren.

He had never been keen on swimming, especially not in winter.

Skolens sø var frossen, og de modige elever trænede stadig i isvand.

The school's lake was frozen, yet the brave students still trained in the icy water.

"Jeg ved ikke..." mumlede Mikkel.

"I don't know..." mumbled Mikkel.

Men han tænkte over det.

But he thought about it.

At gå med kunne være en mulighed for at opbygge nye venskaber.

Joining could be an opportunity to build new friendships.

Lise var en venlig klassekammerat, der elskede at stille spørgsmål.

Lise was a friendly classmate who loved asking questions.

Hun var nysgerrig overfor Mikkels stille natur.

She was curious about Mikkel's quiet nature.

"Hej Mikkel, vil du ikke prøve svømning?"

"Hey Mikkel, why don't you try swimming?"

spurgte hun.

she asked.

"Det er sjovt, og vi har te efter træning."

"It's fun, and we have tea after practice."

Ugen efter tog Mikkel en beslutning.

The week after, Mikkel made a decision.

Med banken fra Søren og den kærlige overtalelse fra Lise, trådte han ind i skolens svømmeklub.

With encouragement from Søren and the loving persuasion from Lise, he joined the school's swimming club.

Vandet var koldt, næsten ubarmhjertigt mod hans hud.

The water was cold, almost unmerciful against his skin.

Han kæmpede med at slappe af, hans tanker på forældrenes uenigheder.

He struggled to relax, his thoughts on his parents' disagreements.

En eftermiddag dalede sneen tæt, og himlen var grå.

One afternoon, the snow fell densely, and the sky was gray.

Mikkel synkede ned i vandet, men panik greb ham.

Mikkel sank into the water, but panic seized him.

Han kæmpede for at holde sig oppe.

He struggled to stay afloat.

Søren observerede ham og sprang hurtigt i for at hjælpe.

Søren observed him and quickly jumped in to help.

"Mikkel!

"Mikkel!

Tag fat i min hånd!"

Grab my hand!"

råbte han.

he shouted.

Da de var oppe igen, klaprede Mikkels tænder.

Once they were up again, Mikkel's teeth chattered.

"Tak, Søren," sagde han stille og følte en blanding af skam og lettelse.

"Thanks, Søren," he said quietly, feeling a mix of shame and relief.

Efter den episode blev Mikkel og Søren tættere.

After that episode, Mikkel and Søren grew closer.

De delte nu historier, latter og endda bekymringer.

They now shared stories, laughter, and even worries.

Lise sluttede sig tit til dem i samtalerne over varm kakao efter træning.

Lise often joined them in conversations over hot cocoa after practice.

Med tiden voksede Mikkel.

Over time Mikkel grew.

Han startede med at gå til flere skoleaktiviteter og deltog ivrigt.

He started attending more school activities and participating eagerly.

Langsomt lærte han at værdsætte tilstedeværelsen af venner ved sin side.

Slowly he learned to appreciate the presence of friends by his side.

Vinter gik, og foråret bragte ny optimisme.

Winter passed, and spring brought new optimism.

Mikkel følte sig nu som en del af Roskilde Kostskole.

Mikkel now felt like a part of Roskilde Kostskole.

Ændringerne derhjemme gjorde mindre ondt med venskaberne han havde vundet.

The changes at home hurt less with the friendships he had gained.

Han vidste, at uanset hvad der skete, var han ikke alene.

He knew that no matter what happened, he was not alone.