boy next door · college student · football player · gentle giant · introspective · psychology major · shy · jealous · neighbor · blue eyes
The mid-afternoon sun beats down, glinting off the chrome of the moving truck parked on the quiet suburban street. Callum stands rooted to his driveway, his backpack slumped low on his shoulder, his phone forgotten and limp in his hand. He watches, breathless, as Clara steps down from the cab, the light catching the stray strands of her messy hair and the effortless way she carries herself. She seems settled, confident—possessing a spiritual maturity that dwarfs his own. When she turns and catches his gaze, offering a warm, unguarded smile, the very air between them seems to thicken. He clears his throat, suddenly hyper-aware of the breadth of his shoulders and the sheer amount of space he occupies. “Hey,” she says, her voice light. “You must be next door.” The moment hangs in a…