The Boy Next Door

He’s the boy next door and he’s an absolute idiot. Whenever she comes over (their parents are great friends), his face is glued to the television screen and his hands are flying on the X-box controllers like a pro. She watches sometimes but isn’t impressed at all.

(And when she says that, she means that she thinks he is absolutely extraordinary at any game. He is quick to react during battles and sharp to think when it comes to puzzles. And the way his brow knits together during particularly difficult challenges is adorable but that’s irrelevant.)

He laughs a lot at her corny jokes that make no sense at all. Sometimes he smiles at nothing in particular. He says it’s because he remembers a joke his friend told him the other day but his tone of voice suggests otherwise. She has a sneaking suspicion that it’s because of her mere presence but she’s too modest to admit it.

(Unless it’s the dead of night and she’s thinking of him again.)

He buys her ice cream every Sunday (because Sundays are boring and she has no choice but to come over). It always tastes the same: bland, unhealthy, and fat-inducing but she eats it anyway just to see his eyes light up. Those eyes that are the ugliest shade of blue that she has ever seen.

(They’re warm and open and always bright. They remind her of the sea but she can’t stare too long lest she drowns.)

She invites him over one day. They spend the entire afternoon raiding the kitchens and marathoning geeky television series. He calls her his ‘Rose Tyler’ before he leaves but she doesn’t understand.

(The minute he is out of sight, she flicks the tv on again. Five hours later, her mother comes home only to find her curled up in the corner crying about an episode called ‘Doomsday’. It’s ridiculous even for her.)

He likes dancing while she loathes it. He knows how to waltz and she can do a barely-acceptable chicken dance. The only reason she even attempts is because she likes seeing him laugh at her general ungracefulness. One day, she falls over but he’s there to catch her. The minutes after are filled with giggles and banter. Before she goes, he promises her that if she ever fell again he’d be there to catch her.

(She really wanted to kiss him then. But she didn't.)

The days pass by quicker and she’s invested herself in her studies. Her assignments give her little to no leisure time and she finds herself too busy to even spare a thought to that boy next door. Years pass and she almost forgets him.

(Almost.)

It is graduation day and she’s up on stage, valedictorian. Her legs are shaking and she’s nervous beyond belief but her voice comes out as strong as ever. It’s nearly perfect but she falters at the last minute because her attention has been caught by a flicker of bright blue eyes amidst the crowd. She recognizes him. He gives her a thumbs-up.

(When she goes off-stage she almost punches him for ruining her speech but he distracts her yet again by leaning in to capture her lips in his.)

She’s leaving for college and she’s just finished saying goodbye to her family when he appears yet again. He’s got a grin on his face and a spring in his step. Before she can ask him what’s up, he kisses her. “You ready to leave the boy next door without even saying goodbye?”

(The grin vanishes when she drives away.)

She finishes college with flying colors and it’s a relief to be rid of sleepless nights and piles of homework but it’s an even bigger relief to know that she’s headed home. When she comes back, he’s waiting for her on the porch with the biggest scoop of ice cream she’s ever seen.

(Or what would have been the biggest scoop of ice cream had it not melted. He calls it a slushie and she calls it a failure but she eats it anyway just to see his eyes light up.)

He’s the boy next door and she’s in love with him.

Author's Note

Don't look at me like that, the thing wrote itself! When I find myself void of anything adorkable in my life stuff like this is born. Maybe I should be lonely more often.

This should be a milestone considering it's my first fic on this site so congrats to me. It's also dedicated to my friend, Sam because I know she likes this kind of stuff. Hope you enjoyed it!