A grumpy loner, the boy next door, and a love he never saw coming. ✨
Julian, struggling with his social life and fresh from a breakup, escapes to his parents' secluded cabin. But his plans for solitude are interrupted when his sunshine-filled next-d...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Hello! 👋
This story was requested by readers who were curious to know what happened to Julian's character from my other novel, The House. It was so much fun to write this sweet, shorter story!
I created Julian originally to explore a character that had ASD. While it's not outright said within the story, and it could also be read without that detail, I hope I did okay representing someone who experiences life and carries themselves just a little differently.
As with all my stories, there are plenty of twists and turns but only happy endings.
I also love getting comments. It's my favorite part of Wattpad, so please feel free to comment whatever you'd like. Just please keep it positive and/or constructive, don't bring down the positive lovey-dovey vibes I'm trying to cultivate over here with hateful nonsense. This is a safe space. Bonus points if you make me laugh.
💖 Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to read my story! If you want to support me (and give me warm fuzzy feelings) please don't forget to vote on a chapter if you enjoyed it.
❤️ Em
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 🔗 authormanderson.com | Website (all my links) 📸 author.m.anderson | Instagram (daily artsy & spicy bookstagram posts) 🎨 All artwork is my own and should not be copied or redistributed. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
IN THIS STORY: 🌱 The boy next door 🌱 Journey to self discovery 🌱 An arch nemesis 🌱 Two idiots with a broom 🌱 A cabin (and possibly a barn) 🌱 ASD representation 🌱 The power of Mountain Dew 🌱 A special hoodie
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 📖 About ASD: •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a brain development condition affecting how individuals perceive and interact socially, leading to challenges in communication and repetitive behaviors. The "spectrum" reflects the wide range of symptoms and severity.
ASD includes previously separate conditions like autism, Asperger's syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder. While "Asperger's" is still used, it's now seen as part of the mild end of ASD.
ASD typically begins in early childhood, with symptoms often appearing in the first year. It can cause long-term challenges in social, school, and work settings.
Social Communication & Interaction Signs:
• Doesn't respond to their name or seems distant • Avoids cuddling or prefers being alone • Lacks eye contact and facial expressions • Delayed speech or loss of previously learned words • Difficulty starting or maintaining conversations • Repeats phrases without understanding • Struggles with emotions or nonverbal cues • Approaches social interactions passively, aggressively, or disruptively
Repetitive Behaviors & Interests:
• Repetitive movements like rocking or hand-flapping • Rigid routines and distress with change • Fixation on details of objects or activities • Sensitivity to sensory inputs or indifference to pain/temperature • Specific food preferences or refusal based on texture
Some individuals with ASD improve as they grow older, becoming more social and adaptable, especially with mild symptoms. However, others may face ongoing language, social, or behavioral challenges, which can intensify during teenage years.
