Here I come -1

Hey there!

Guess what? No need for a drumroll...I already know you've been admitted to university! How, you ask? Well, your dad let it slip to my dad, and, naturally, my eavesdropping skills are top-notch.

I've got some news too....I got admitted! But here's the twist: we're heading to different schools. Bummer, right? Still, I'd love to hear back from you, maybe even about my last message (which you totally ignored, by the way).

Hoping for a good reply!

P.S. Look outside your window.

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No second-guessing…I knew exactly who it was.

The guy from my neighborhood.

I never bothered to learn his name. Why would I? He'd been on my case ever since I moved in, like a mosquito that just wouldn't quit buzzing.

A month in, and he was still at it; talking about his feelings, slipping me cringe notes that made my stomach churn.

My body language practically screamed not interested, but for some reason, he just wasn't getting the message.

I held the paper note between my fingers, turning it over.

'How the hell did he get this all the way up to my window?' My eyes darted around, searching for clues...until they landed on a rope dangling from the lintel.

"Really???" I sighed, half-exasperated.

Shaking my head, I did exactly what he asked. I leaned forward and peeked out the window.

And there he was, standing by the railing that separated his house from mine.

I forced a smile, the kind that barely masked my irritation, while he waved at me like we were long-lost friends.

His grin stretched wide, like he had just unlocked the secrets of the universe…or at least thought he was close, judging by those thick, black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose.

"Can you stop waving already?" I muttered under my breath, my face twisted in pure disgust.

And yet, for some reason, I was still putting on this sweet face, when what I really needed to do was scare him off for good.

But somehow… somehow… he always managed to get this half-hearted politeness out of me.

That had to be the reason he still thought he had a chance why he refused to just drop it already.

Maybe it was his eyes.

There was something about them, something I didn't want to fall for, yet they kept pulling me in like a bad habit I couldn't shake.

Deep blue.

My ultimate weakness.

And the worst part? They looked exactly like the eyes of my favorite actor crush…the kind of gaze that had me melting in every movie.

But the moment I looked past his eyes, the spell broke.

The rest of him? A totally different story.

I mean, not to be rude, but…those ears? Shrek could never. And just to be clear, no shade to Shrek…dude had game.

He scored a whole princess who fell for him, swamp and all.

This guy? Yeah… not quite the same fairytale.

And his dressing looked kinda weird to me.

His hair was this dark, slightly messy mop, parted awkwardly, like he gave up halfway through styling it, his checkered shirt; red, blue, white… you know, the kind that screams "I'm smart, but I still call my mom for laundry advice."

And, of course, there was a beige sweater vest on top, with diamond patterns stitched across it like he stepped straight out of a math club yearbook.

His sleeves were rolled up neatly, but not too neatly, as if he's trying to look casual but can't help being precise.

And then there are his pants—khakis, high-waisted, tucked in with a black belt that's purely functional, no flair whatsoever.

His socks peek out when he shifts, mismatched stripes that oddly add a little charm, like he's got a secret wild side.

White sneakers, clean but not spotless, complete the look, along with the book in his hand that's probably something like "Quantum Mechanics for Beginners."

He always had a book in his hands.

And then, just as I was trying to process my life choices, he screamed from where he stood.

"Did you get the note?!"

His grin stretched wider as he waved his hands like he was conducting an invisible orchestra.

At that point, I had no idea what to do. So, I did the only thing that made sense…I nodded, shut my window, and pretended the last five minutes never happened.

I didn't have the energy for more awkward small talk, and besides, I was running late.

I could already bet my parents were outside, waiting impatiently.

As if on cue, a loud honk from Dad confirmed it.

I grabbed my boot, slipped the right one on, snatched my phone, and shoved it into my pocket before dashing out the door.

The moment I stepped outside, I saw that my luggage was already packed neatly in the trunk.

Mom was settled in the front seat, scrolling through her phone, while Dad stood by the backseat door, arms crossed like a drill sergeant waiting for a recruit.

The second his eyes landed on me, the question came.

"Are you ready?"

I quickly glanced down, double-checking myself…..no missing shoes, no backward shirt, no embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions.

"All done, Dad!" I said, flashing a grin.

Dad smiled as he pulled the door open for me, and I slid into the back seat…only to be met with a surprise.

Bob was already there, completely zoned out, his fingers tapping furiously on his play pad.

"You're here?" I blurted out, caught off guard.

Without even looking up, he muttered, "Clearly…" before finally pausing his game.

"Where else did you expect him to stay?"

Mom chimed in, turning back to witness the unfolding drama, while Dad busied himself adjusting his seatbelt.

"Bob's going with us?" I asked, still trying to process the situation.

"Of course," Mom said, now clicking her seatbelt into place.

"We can't leave him home alone…unless you want him to burn the house down before we even arrive."

Clearly annoyed, I shot Bob a look while he just sat there with that little smirk of his, like he knew exactly how much this was bothering me.

Deciding it wasn't worth the argument, I just sank into my seat, arms folded tight after clicking my seatbelt into place.

First, it was my parents tagging along to drop me off at college..I didn't complain.

But now, my younger brother too?!

So, basically, my entire family was escorting me like I was some kind of VIP…or worse, a kid who couldn't be trusted to find their own way.

What are the other students going to think? I groaned internally.

Some kinda newborn baby being delivered straight from the hospital?

Just as I was spiraling into that embarrassment, the cool whisper of the AC brushed against my skin, signaling….

The journey had begun.

I glanced back at my house one last time, with a realization hitting me.

For the next few months, I wouldn't be seeing it again.

That's when I noticed the guy from my neighborhood.

He hadn't looked away from the car with his eyes locked on us.

I quickly turned my gaze away, but my eyes landed right on Bob again.

I rolled them, exasperated, and settled back into the seat.