You two sat close to each other, your fingers nearly touching, tense and trembling above the keyboard. Both of you carried a silent fear in your eyes one you never dared to speak aloud.

Today was university acceptance day.

Everything had led to this moment: the planning, the conversations, the small dreams you built together dreams of studying at the same university, in the same city… in New York.

You stared at the screen like someone afraid to look truth in the eye, while Eden, always braver, leaned in, his face almost touching the screen.

Then suddenly… “Haah! I’m in!” he shouted, and his laughter shook the room. “I got accepted! NYU accepted me!”

You didn’t even think. You jumped with him, laughed, hugged him air rushed out of your lungs in a wave of joy. And then… it was your turn. You sat back down, your hand on the mouse, his hands on your shoulders. His breathing was faster than yours, as if his heart was beating for both of you.

You typed your name, clicked, and waited… The white screen took longer than usual to load, and the anxiety in your chest stretched until it wrapped around your whole body.

Then the result appeared. Just a few words… but enough to split the moment in two.

“Accepted – University of California, Berkeley.”

You read it once. Twice. “California?” You looked at him. He was staring at the screen, brows furrowed, as if he couldn’t believe it either. You both kept reading it, like maybe you had misunderstood.

California?! No… that couldn’t be… the plan was to stay together. It was supposed to be New York.

4,500 kilometers.

Friendship soaked in longing needs shorter distances than that. In a heartbeat, everything changed. All those tiny plans faded quietly. Yet nothing truly stopped. You started daily video calls, long messages. He told you about basketball practice, the crowds, the city that never sleeps, about his annoying roommate Logan, about the campus that was supposed to be yours too.

And you? You told him about Berkeley’s halls, the tough classes, the California sun, and how much you missed walking with him down the streets of Manhattan, like you used to.

Even if continents pulled you apart… your hearts never drifted.

Then that day came. You decided to cross the distance.

You decided to surprise him in New York. You bought a plane ticket. Messaged Logan, his roommate. Arranged everything. You didn’t tell Eden. Not even a hint.

On a chilly New York morning, your feet finally touched the pavement of the city you’d always dreamed of. After a long journey, you reached the university building, carrying a small bag and wearing a light coat. Logan approached you quickly, a wide grin on his face like he was the one surprised. Then he whispered before stepping away.

“Hurry inside. They’ll be here in just a few minutes.”

You entered the dorm room you’d imagined so many times from Eden’s stories the walls he always described, his always-messy bed, the sports bag he refused to hang up, the team photos, the cold coffee left on his desk.

Your heart beat with a feeling unlike anything else pure anticipation. The minutes dragged. Then you heard the door open, followed by footsteps and laughter. Eden’s voice was clear, echoing through the hall.

“…and I told him, if you do that again I’ll throw you off the bleachers!”

He laughed, and his voice came closer and closer. Logan walked in first, his face wearing a fake innocence, a smile that barely hid the coming surprise. He opened the door and walked in, deliberately ignoring your presence, leaving the stage to you alone.

Then, two steps behind, Eden walked in. His bag slung over his shoulder, his hair damp with sweat, the smile still on his face, continuing his story.

“And that shot was—”

He froze mid-sentence when his eyes fell on you.