The Girl Next Door

1. Hello

It's mid-school year, and honestly, things are pretty chill. I'm breezing through classes with good grades, football practice is kicking my ass in the best way, and Mom's always proud of me, so I've got that going for me.

Football's my thing, and it's been a solid season so far. I'm starting every game, and the coaches are all over me to keep pushing harder. They want me to go pro, but I'm still figuring it all out. For now, I'm just focusing on keeping my stats up and doing my part on the field.

As for the girls... yeah, I've dated a few, but nothing serious. It's just the usual stuff—some dinners, movies, a little kissing—nothing that's ever turned into something real.

"I am not into serious relationships yet," I explained to the boys on my team the other night, as we were sitting around after practice. I think they got it, but they love to dig at me, especially Geoff.

Geoff's our quarterback and the self-proclaimed team leader. He's a natural on the field, the kind of guy who can call a play and execute it perfectly. He's confident—sometimes to the point of cocky—and when he's not making plays, he's making sure everyone knows he's the one who called it. He's also the first guy to push me about dating—he's always asking if I'm going to "settle down" or "put a ring on it" with some girl.

Matt, on the other hand, is my best friend. We've been playing together since middle school, and while he's got the build of a linebacker, he's got the brains of a scientist. Not that anyone would ever know, because the guy doesn't show it unless he's in the classroom or talking about strategy. When it comes to relationships, Matt's kind of a perfectionist. He likes things to be "just right," so he's all about taking his time. He always tells me I should "date smart"—whatever that means.

Then there's Blaine, our linebacker. He's the quiet one, but when he speaks up, everyone listens. He's not much for the dating scene, at least not seriously. He prefers to focus on the game and the workouts. He's the guy who shows up early, stays late, and never complains. He's got this tough guy vibe, but every now and then, you catch him checking out the girls at school. Still, he's way more interested in hitting the gym than hitting on anyone.

The boys give me a hard time, but it's all in good fun. They don't get that I'm not looking for a serious relationship yet. I've got too much going on. Plus, there's that girl next door... she's a different kind of distraction, and she doesn't fit into the "typical" category. But that's a whole different story.

Speaking of the girl next door, she and her family just moved in a few weeks ago. I see her around at school sometimes—she's in a couple of my classes—but it's not just that. I catch glimpses of her walking down the road in the mornings, heading to school.

She's pretty, no doubt. Like, really pretty. The kind of pretty that turns heads and makes people stop talking mid-sentence. She's got this effortless vibe—like she knows she's got it, but doesn't care about showing it off.

But here's the thing: she's also trouble. I know it, everyone knows it. She's got that aura about her—the kind of energy that makes the air around her feel a little electric, like something's about to happen. People say she's "wild" or "reckless." She's not the type of girl you bring home to meet your mom. Not that I'm looking for that anyway.

I've seen her hanging out with some of the edgier crowd at school, always on the fringe of whatever drama's happening. And there's something about the way she moves, like she's always on the edge, waiting for something to snap. It's hard to explain. People talk about her, but no one really knows her.

I mean, yeah, I've noticed her. Who wouldn't? But I also know I need to keep my distance. That kind of trouble isn't something I want to get tangled up in—especially when I've got my own thing going with football and school. Besides, she's the last thing I need right now. Or at least, that's what I tell myself.