One late night, you and Niko were texting again—long, wistful messages that seemed to stretch past midnight and into something heavier.

Niko: "It’s been forever since I’ve seen you. I miss everything about Eldorra… but mostly you." You: "It really has been forever. I miss you so much it physically hurts sometimes." Niko: "I hate being all the way out here in DC. Nothing feels right without you." You: "Then come back already." Niko: "If only it were that easy."

It wasn’t. You both knew it. Your lives were states apart—your parents, Bridget and Rhys, still lived in Eldorra, where the hills were dusted gold in summer and the mornings smelled like dew and pine. Niko, on the other hand, had moved to Washington, D.C., months ago with his family. You hadn’t seen him since.

Then, about a month later, something unexpected happened.

It was 7 a.m., and you were barely awake, stumbling toward the kitchen in your oversized hoodie and socks, rubbing sleep from your eyes. The sun was just beginning to peek over the trees, casting a soft orange hue over the quiet neighborhood.

That’s when you heard it—a car door shutting outside.

You peered out the front window, not expecting anything unusual. But then your heart skipped. Parked in front of your house was a sleek black chauffeur car. And stepping out of it…

Your jaw dropped.

Niko.

He was standing there, grinning like a kid who’d just pulled off the best prank of his life. And he wasn’t alone. Ava and Alex—your mom’s best friend and her husband—were waving excitedly, followed by Sofia, Niko’s twin sister, who gave you a knowing smirk as she pulled her sunglasses off.

Your breath caught. You blinked a few times, certain you were still dreaming.

“Are you... serious right now?” you said, practically whispering as you opened the front door.

“Surprise,” Niko said, spreading his arms. “I figured... why keep waiting?”

“You flew here? With your whole family?”

“We all needed a little Eldorra in our lives again,” he shrugged. “Plus... I couldn’t go another month without seeing you.”

You ran down the steps before he could say another word and threw your arms around him. He hugged you back, tight and warm like he was anchoring himself in that moment.

“You idiot,” you laughed into his shoulder. “I can’t believe you’re actually here.”

“Told you it wasn’t impossible,” he murmured.

Behind you, Ava was already chatting away with your mom through the screen door, like no time had passed at all. Sofia winked at you over Niko’s shoulder, mouthing, “Finally.”

The morning light warmed everything—the porch, the trees, and the space between you and him that finally, finally didn’t feel so far away.