Falling For You

Chapter 4

"So we'll see you guys later, alright," Maria called to Michelle and Derek. Tim waved to Moby and his family as they walked out to the porch.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality," Derek said to Tim's parents. "I've never felt more welcomed to a new neighborhood."

"No need to thank me, I love hosting," Maria responded. "Goodnight!"

"Goodnight!" all 3 of the Todds said in unison. Tim sighed as his mother closed the door.

"They were so nice. I think that we'll be very close friends!" Maria exclaimed. Tim's lips curved up in a smile as he turned away from his parents to return to his room. "Tim, stop. I want to hear what happened when you kids left the house," Maria said inquisitively.

"Oh. He just said he would help out with BrainPop so we went to the P.O. box," Tim stated. Maria's eyes squinted as she looked at her son.

"Really? That's all?" she said, seemingly amazed. Tim felt his cheeks heat up. He didn't want his mother to know about his would-be panic attack. The news would send her into a spiral. He also wasn't sure he was ready to acknowledge what had happened on the road when they were headed back.

"Yup!" Tim said as his voice seemed to raise 3 octaves higher. Tim's mother's eyes seemed to squint even smaller. Her nose scrunched up and her head leaned forward. Tim and his mother seemed to stay like that for an eternity before his mother seemingly snapped out of a trance.

"Really! That's amazing! He's really helping! I thought he was gonna quit!" she exclaimed, amazed.

"Geez, thanks for your honesty, mother," Tim said sarcastically.

"Hey, it's what I'm here for," his mother said as she hugged him. "I love you, Tim."

Tim shifted and squirmed in his mother's arms before mumbling, "I love you too, Mom. Can you let me go? I think I'm suffocating."

Maria rolled her eyes before releasing her grasp on her son. "You know, for someone who is educating thousands, you sure are wrong a lot of the time."

Now, it was Tim's turn to roll his eyes before turning away and heading upstairs to his room. He shut the door gently behind him and opened his laptop. Immediately, a little chime alerted Tim that he had a notification. He clicked on the pop-up and saw an email from Moby.

Dear Tim,

I didn't know how formal to make this email so I'm just going to jump right in. Thanks again for letting me help. Send me the script when you're finished writing. I have some ideas for the final product. I hope you have a good nights sleep without any broken branches interfering with your dreams. Goodnight loser.

Sincerely,
Moby

Tim felt his lips curve up as a humongous grin began to form over his face. He chuckled to himself before spinning around in his chair. He couldn't believe that just a couple hours ago he had no clue how he was going to study for midterms. Now, he had a collaborating partner and a new friend. Tim was reeling from his luck. Who knew his new neighbor would also end up being the person interested in his work.

Tim looked at his laptop once more before drafting up an email to Moby.

Dear Moby,

I believe that I must send you an email etiquette video at once because who would dare write such an informal letter. I am, frankly appalled at you informality. I also can't believe it slipped my mind to give you my phone number. I'll give it to you on Monday. Also, I could show you around the campus, if you wanted. On my first day I got lost at least 6 times. I'll get started on the script tomorrow. We can film after school on Monday and I can send you the footage. I do weekly uploads, so I'll need it done by Friday or Saturday. If you want we can meet up tomorrow, I'd you wanted to. Also, you are absolutely the bigger loser between the 2 of us. You literally can't even grow hair. Goodnight loser.

Sincerest regards,
Tim

Tim grinned as he read over his work. He hopped that he wasn't being too sarcastic. His mother always said that sarcasm was off-putting, but he couldn't seem to stop himself.

Tim suddenly felt a shiver slide down his back and his head snapped up. He looked over to his agape window before getting up to close it. When his fingertips touched the old frame of his window, something caught his eye. He looked over to his new neighbors house and saw an orange robot getting ready for bed through the upstairs window.

Tim stared for a moment before Moby turned and saw him. They made eye contact for a brief second before Tim quickly looked down to his feet. He felt his cheeks begin to heat up. He was sure a satellite could have picked up on the bright color beginning to form on his cheeks.

Tim continued to stare at his feet until he caught something out of hi peripheral vision. He saw an orange hand with 4 yellow fingers moving waving from side to side. A slight, lopsided grin began to form on Tim's lips before he raised his hand to wave back to his partner. Moby returned Tim's grin. They stared at each other for what felt like forever until Moby turned away.

Tim felt himself begin to frown and wonder what he had done to cause Moby to turn away. Why would he turn away? Was I too weird? He's never gonna want to speak to me again, isn't he?

Suddenly, a loud, piercing DING sound snapped Tim out of his spiraling. His gaze snapped over to the source of the ding. He solemnly trudged over to his laptop and sat at his desk. How could someone he had just met cause him to spiral so much. Sure, she had hurt him, but he didn't think that was the only reason he was acting like this.

His hands began to tremble as his arms reach to open his laptop. The screen began to light up and Tim saw that he had a brand new email. He clicked on the notification and was sent to his new email.

He read the first line and began to smile. His smile began to grow as the email continued.

Dear Tim,

Go to bed. You were yawning like a maniac on the walk home. Also, for the record, hair seems like such a hassle. Goodnight, Tim.

From Moby.

Tim sighed as he read his new email. He couldn't believe it. He felt like he finally had someone to talk to. He grabbed a piece of paper and a marker. He scribble 'goodnight'  in big block letters. Then, he taped it to his window before getting ready for bed. He laid down and began to drift off to sleep. Tim didn't realize it, but he had fallen asleep with a big grin plastered on his face.