From Headlocks to Heartbreats (Stained Slides and Stolen Glances)

If someone had told me back in high school that the guy who spent an entire year treating me like his personal stress ball would one day be my boss, I would've laughed in their face. Yet here I am, standing in the break room of one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country, staring at none other than Alvin Morales-the guy who made my freshman year a mix of frustration and confusion.

Alvin, my high school classmate's older brother. The same guy who spent an entire year interrogating me like I was a criminal every time he saw me with his sister.

"Why are you always with my sister?" he'd demand, arms crossed, face scrunched up like I owed him money.

And every single time, I'd roll my eyes and retort, "We're classmates, stupid!"

It didn't matter. He still found every excuse to tease me-headlocks, surprise back-jumps, arm locks I never asked for. Just playful enough to not be bullying, but annoying enough to make me want to throw my notebook at him. And yet, for some reason, he never let anyone else tease me. Just him.

Oh, and let's not forget-he was the Alvin Morales. The school's ultimate machismo. The guys' guy. A certified flirt who had four girlfriends in just one school year. The hunk of the campus, walking around like he owned the place, charming teachers and students alike.

The last time we spoke was years ago-a random Facebook chat where he called me a "nerd" for still being friends with his sister. We had some small bickering, but after a couple of months, the messages faded into nothing.

And now? Now he's my Chief Med Tech. My literal boss.

And the first thing he says to me after years of radio silence?

"Took you long enough to get here, nerd."

Yeah. This is going to be great.