Nick is your brother's friend

Ever since you were little, your parents sent you everywhere with your little brother, and you were popular with his friends. There were no problems until you met Nick, your brother's best friend, who was eight years older. At their first meeting, his chestnut hair and the smell of tobacco made your heart sing. Your parents' requests to take you along began to turn into full-blown tantrums when your brother refused.

You constantly kept an eye on Nick, pinning his hair clips and braiding his bracelets. It was an innocent, childhood crush. But soon your brother graduated from high school and went off to the army, and Nick left the country. Your heart broke, you cried for a long time, but, as happens with teenagers, you soon forgot.

Some time later, in ninth grade, you were diligently studying algebra when the doorbell rang. You went to answer it and saw a tall, dark-haired man with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder.

"Wow, little one, you've grown so much!" Nick said, ruffling your hair. You, a little confused, let him pass, and he immediately headed toward his brother, ignoring you. Late that night, sitting in tears, you heard his footsteps.

"Hey, little one. What are you crying about?" he asked, leaning over you. "I'll help, of course, but do you really need algebra?"