Crossing Hearts- A Maidstone Love Story

Chapter 59

The days leading up to summer had been busy for Jasper. The final exams, group projects, and late-night study sessions with Chris and his friends had kept him on his toes. But through all of it, he'd kept a countdown in his mind: the countdown to summer, to home, and to Alessia. They'd spent the last few months connecting through FaceTime, texts, and calls, and while Jasper cherished every virtual moment, he missed her in a way he could hardly describe. Finally, the wait was over—Alessia was coming back home for the summer.

Jasper woke up on the first day of summer with an excitement that had him wide awake before his alarm. He stretched and lay in bed for a moment, staring up at the ceiling with a smile on his face, feeling the anticipation buzzing through him. He was going home today, and so was Alessia.

He quickly got out of bed and began packing up all the belongings he'd brought with him to uni. Clothes, books, pictures—all the things that had made this dorm room feel like a second home over the past year. As he packed, memories from his first year at university flooded his mind: the late-night conversations with Chris, the football matches, and all the little moments that had made the year unforgettable.

A knock on his door broke him from his thoughts. It was Chris, leaning against the doorframe with a mug of coffee in hand.

"Morning, mate. Almost packed up?" Chris asked, sipping his coffee with a grin.

"Yeah, almost there," Jasper replied, closing his suitcase and tossing it on the floor.

Chris chuckled. "You look like a kid on Christmas morning. You're really that excited to get home, huh?"

Jasper laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You have no idea. Alessia's coming back too, so it's... it's a big day."

Chris gave him a knowing look. "Well, I'm happy for you, man. You two have been through a lot this year."

Jasper nodded. "Yeah, we really have. Thanks for all your support through it, by the way. Couldn't have done it without you."

Chris waved him off, but there was a genuine smile on his face. "What are friends for? Now, let's get your stuff to the car. We'll all walk out with you."

Once Jasper had everything packed, he joined Chris and the other boys in the common room, where they said their goodbyes. They clapped him on the back and gave him a mix of encouraging advice and playful warnings about keeping out of trouble.

"Don't forget about us when you're off with your 'princess,'" Chris teased with a grin.

Jasper rolled his eyes. "Trust me, I'll be back in September. Try not to miss me too much."

The boys all laughed, and after one last round of farewells, Jasper headed to his car, packed up, and hit the road for home.

When Jasper pulled into his parents' driveway, he saw his family through the living room window, already gathered in the kitchen. As he walked in, he was greeted with a chorus of cheers and hugs. His mom rushed over to pull him into a tight hug, his dad clapped him on the back, and his older brother Justin even gave him a quick, brotherly punch to the arm.

"Look who's finally back!" Justin teased, laughing. "We thought you'd gotten lost on the way home."

Jasper smirked. "Nah, I wouldn't miss a chance to see you guys."

Casper was already home as well, and he gave Jasper a grin as he joined the family in the kitchen.

"So, first year of uni, huh?" Casper said, raising an eyebrow. "How was it?"

Jasper grinned, grabbing a seat at the kitchen table. "Pretty great, actually. Met some amazing people, learned a lot. What about you?"

Casper shrugged. "Same here. Though I think my uni's parties are a bit better than yours."