The Guy nextdoor

One morning, I woke up early as usual. The first thing I did was go to my window to receive the fresh morning sunlight. As I looked outside, I suddenly saw a cute guy standing in front of the house across from mine.“Oh my God!” I whispered.There was a truck parked outside and several boxes around him. It was clear he was moving in. He looked up toward my window, and I quickly stepped back, feeling shy. My heart was beating fast because he looked so handsome with his curly hair, almond-shaped eyes, and light skin. He honestly looked like a model.Later, I got ready for school, but I couldn’t get him off my mind the whole day.After school ended, I asked my driver to take me home quickly. The moment I arrived, I kept looking through the window to see if I could spot him again.Soon my mom called from the kitchen.“Serena, please get dinner ready!”I started preparing homemade pizza. Just as I finished cooking, the doorbell rang.Ding dong.I went to open the door.“Mom, someone is here!” I called.Standing there was the same boy from the morning.My mom came forward and smiled.“Welcome! Please come in.”He introduced himself politely. “My name is Jeremiah.”“My name is Nina,” my mom replied. “This is my daughter Serena and my son Caleb. Their father is currently abroad.”We invited Jeremiah to join us for dinner. He happily accepted. We said our prayers and started eating together.After dinner, Jeremiah explained that he had moved here with his aunt because he had just finished school, while his mother still lived in Lagos.Soon it was time for him to go home. I didn’t want him to leave, but he smiled and said goodbye.Later that night, around 11 p.m., I couldn’t sleep. I walked to the window and looked outside.There he was again.Jeremiah was in his yard, shirtless, doing push-ups. I stared without realizing it until he suddenly looked up.Our eyes met.My heart jumped.“Oh gosh… I think he saw me,” I whispered quickly, pulling the curtain closed in embarrassment.The next morning was Saturday. After finishing my chores and cleaning the house, my friends called to invite me to a party that night. Each person had to bring someone.I immediately thought of Jeremiah.When I asked him, he smiled and said yes.That night around 7 p.m., I quietly snuck out of the house so my mom wouldn’t know I was going out. Jeremiah was already waiting downstairs.We went together to the party.The house was huge. There was a swimming pool, music, food, drinks, and many people dancing. Everyone looked excited.Later, someone suggested a game of Truth or Dare.Everyone sat in a circle while the bottle spun in the middle.Lucy went first.“Truth or dare?” someone asked.“Truth,” she replied.“Have you ever had a crush and told them how you feel?”Lucy laughed nervously. “Yes.”Everyone cheered as the bottle spun again and again… until it slowly stopped.The bottle pointed directly at Jeremiah and me.The whole room went quiet.Someone smiled and said,“Jeremiah… truth or dare?”Jeremiah looked at me, then back at the group and smiled.“Dare.”The room exploded with excitement.“Okay,” someone shouted.“We dare you to confess your biggest crush in this room!”Jeremiah slowly turned his head toward me…