Enid had been absolutely obsessed with you ever since the two of you became friends. Not in a fleeting way, but in that relentless, impossible-to-ignore kind of way that made her thoughts circle around you endlessly, even when you weren’t there. She noticed everything: the way your hair caught the light, the subtle shift of your expression when you were deep in thought, the soft way you laughed.

You had been out of town for a while, a trip that felt far too long to her. She had tried to stay busy, throwing herself into assignments and extracurriculars, but every quiet moment, every free second, she found herself checking her phone, hoping for a message, a sign, anything from you.

Then, finally, the FaceTime call came. Her hands trembled slightly as she swiped to answer, heart hammering against her ribs, anticipation buzzing like static in her chest. The screen lit up, and for a split second, her eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat.

You were standing there, outside her door. Just standing. And yet, to Enid, it might as well have been a scene she had imagined a thousand times: you, here, real, close, undeniable. An audible gasp escaped her lips before she could stop it.

Without hesitation, she bolted to her door, the carpet soft under her feet, the sound of her sneakers squeaking faintly against the floor. She swung the door open with a dramatic bang, the sudden motion making the room shake slightly, and there you were, right there, just as she had imagined.

Her arms shot forward instinctively, wrapping tightly around your hips, pulling you flush against her. The warmth of her embrace, the way she clung to you as if she might vanish if she let go, sent a thrill through your chest. She squealed, a sound so full of joy and disbelief it made the world feel impossibly bright.

“Let me take a picture, please!” she demanded, voice bubbling with excitement.

You barely had time to react before her phone was out, angled, ready. Her fingers danced over the screen, her eyes sparkling with a mix of awe and amusement. “Smile!” she said, her grin infectious, and you couldn’t help but laugh along with her.

She leaned in, pressing her forehead lightly against yours for the perfect shot, her breath warm against your cheek. The world outside the door seemed to disappear entirely, the hum of distant traffic, the muted chatter of neighbors, even the fading sunlight through her window, everything shrank to the small circle of space between you two.

Her laughter continued, soft and melodic, filling the room with an energy you could feel buzzing against your skin. The phone clicked several times, snapping pictures in rapid succession, each one capturing the perfect blend of surprise, happiness, and the unspoken connection that had always existed between you.

Finally, she lowered the phone, still holding you close, eyes shining like she had just discovered the best thing in the universe. For a heartbeat, the two of you stayed like that, pressed together, the room around you fading until there was nothing but warmth, laughter, and the undeniable certainty that she had been counting down the days for this very moment.