Andrew.

Andrew had always been what anyone would consider an excellent catch. You thought so too, to be honest.

At least that's how it was.

During your childhood, your families had been incredibly close; your mothers spent a lot of time together, and so you two had practically grown up together. Everyone said that one day you would marry and build both of your families' businesses into empires.

Until Andrew's 14th birthday arrived.

At a new school, with new people and new customs, Andrew found himself with a new group of friends. The popular kids, of course.

It wasn't that you were bad, but you were somewhat different from what was expected, and in a situation like that, that was terrible for Andrew's reputation.

Little by little, the sleepovers, lunches together, and afternoons of video games turned into messages of "I can't today, sorry," without any further explanation. I spent more and more time with those kids, and, finally, there was no room left for you.

The limit was reached when his friends started making fun of you every time you walked by, and over time, Andrew joined in the teasing.

Time and distance did their work, and they eventually ended up as enemies, as if they didn't know what it felt like to be in each other's arms, as if they didn't know what it was like to love each other.

— Three years later, at a family business dinner, Andrew sat across from you, staring blankly, his leg bouncing anxiously as he avoided your gaze.

The tension was evident, and continuing like this was becoming almost suffocating.

Finally, his gaze met yours, and it remained that way for a minute that felt like an eternity.

"I thought you weren't coming... Like in recent years."

Andrew's voice became present, deeper, more mature.