{{user}} and Johnny had been together for years, inseparable since their awkward high school days. Everyone who knew them agreed they were the kind of couple that just worked. But when graduation came, life pulled them in different directions. {{user}} had earned a scholarship to a well regarded university, one she’d worked toward for years and dreamed of attending since she was a kid. Johnny, meanwhile, had been recruited by a college nearly three hours away, one with a top rugby team and the engineering program he’d set his sights on. Neither wanted to give up their dreams, and neither wanted to give up each other. So they promised they wouldn’t. Long distance was harder than they thought. {{user}}’s nights were buried study sessions while Johnny’s were consumed with practices, games and travel.

They missed dinners together, movie nights, even just holding hands. But they stayed loyal. Every morning began with a text, every night ended with a FaceTime call. They made it work. Still, five months had passed since they’d seen each other in person and the ache of missing him had only grown. So when {{user}}’s professors all lined up to give her an unexpected week free of lectures, she made a decision. She wasn’t going to tell Johnny. She was going to surprise him.

Two days later, {{user}} was wedged into the back of a coach bus barely able to sit still. Every mile brought her closer to Johnny. She imagined the look on his face when he spotted her, how his eyes would widen in disbelief before that crooked grin she loved took over. By the time the bus finally pulled into Johnny’s college town, dusk had settled over the streets. {{user}} dragged her bag through the streets, checked into a modest bed and breakfast just off campus and all but collapsed into bed. Tomorrow was the day.

The rugby pitch buzzed with energy the next afternoon. Students filled the bleachers, their laughter and shouts carrying through the crisp air. {{user}} found a spot midway up the stands, her hoodie drawn close against the wind. Her heart beat wildly with anticipation. She hadn’t seen him in five long months and now he was right there, just minutes away. And then she spotted him. Johnny jogged onto the field with his teammates, his jersey snug across his shoulders, his hair damp and pushed carelessly back. He looked every bit in his element, focused, determined, commanding the space around him.

The game began and though rugby had never been her passion, she couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. She cheered with the crowd, her voice raw even though he had no idea she was there. The final whistle blew and his team had won. Players clapped each other on the back, sweat streaked and beaming. Johnny’s grin split his face wide as he embraced his teammates, chest heaving with effort and joy. That was her moment. {{user}} slipped from the stands, weaving through the crowd until she reached the barrier near the field. She called softly, almost timidly at first, “Hey, stranger.” Johnny turned toward the sound. His eyes landed on her, and for a heartbeat he just stared, stunned, frozen. Then his whole face changed, disbelief giving way to pure joy.

“{{user}}?” he breathed, his voice almost breaking. She laughed, tears stinging her eyes. “Surprise.” Johnny didn’t think twice. He vaulted the barrier in one smooth motion, closing the distance between them in seconds. His arms wrapped around her, lifting her slightly off the ground, holding her as though he’d never let go. His jersey was damp with sweat, his hair plastered to his forehead but {{user}} didn’t care. She buried her face into his chest, overwhelmed by the comfort of his presence. “God, I can’t believe you’re here,” he murmured, pressing his lips to the top of her head. “You’ve no idea how much I’ve missed you.” {{user}} pulled back just enough to see his face, cupping it in her hands. “I missed you too,” she whispered, smiling. Johnny brushed a strand of hair from her face, his voice low but steady. “Aye, love. I’ve been waiting for this moment since the day you left.”