Against the Rules

Episode 4 : Across my window

Saturday arrived with a welcome sense of peace after a busy first week at Blackwood University. For the first time since classes had begun, Simone Carter woke without the shrill sound of an alarm or the pressure of rushing to a lecture. Sunlight filtered through the curtains of her bedroom, painting warm streaks across the floor.

Her father had already left for work, leaving a note on the refrigerator.

Gone for work. I may have to leave town later today. Don't forget the groceries. Love you.

Smiling to herself, Simone grabbed a reusable shopping bag and headed to the neighborhood supermarket.

The weekend crowd had already filled the aisles. Families compared prices while university students stocked up on snacks for the coming week. Simone wandered through the produce section, carefully choosing fresh vegetables before moving on to bread, milk, cereal, and a few guilty pleasures she knew her father would pretend to complain about before eating them anyway.

"Simone!"

She turned and immediately smiled.

"Gabrielle!"

The basketball captain hurried over, pushing a shopping cart. Beside her skipped a little girl with honey-blonde braids, sparkling brown eyes, and enough energy to power the entire supermarket.

"This," Gabrielle said proudly, "is my little sister, Mia."

Mia's eyes grew wide.

"So you're Simone! Gabi talks about you all the time."

Gabrielle covered her face dramatically.

"Mia!"

"What?" the little girl giggled. "It's true."

Simone laughed.

"It's nice to finally meet you."

For nearly an hour, the three of them shopped together. Mia insisted on pushing the cart, nearly crashing into displays every few minutes before dissolving into uncontrollable laughter. She asked Simone endless questions about university life, basketball, and whether college students really survived on instant noodles.

By the time they reached the checkout, Simone felt as though she had known Mia for years.

Outside the supermarket, Gabrielle's mother arrived to collect her daughter.

"Bye, Simone!" Mia called as she climbed into the car.

"See you soon!"

"I'll be cheering the loudest at your games!"

"I'll be listening for you," Simone replied with a wave.

As the car pulled away, Gabrielle looked toward the café across the street.

"Coffee?"

Simone smiled.

"I thought you'd never ask."

The café was quiet and welcoming, filled with the comforting aroma of roasted coffee beans and freshly baked bread. They found a table beside the window and ordered cappuccinos, grilled chicken sandwiches, and a slice of chocolate cake to share.

For a while, their conversation drifted from classes to favorite books and embarrassing childhood memories.

Then Gabrielle leaned forward with a knowing smile.

"So..."

Simone immediately narrowed her eyes.

"That smile worries me."

"I think Garrett likes you."

Simone nearly inhaled her coffee.

"What?"

"I'm serious."

Gabrielle counted on her fingers.

"He always finds a reason to talk to you."

"He walked you home."

"You're neighbors."

"And every chance he gets, he's looking your way."

Simone shook her head quickly.

"He's just friendly."

"Friendly?" Gabrielle laughed. "Simone, I've known enough boys to recognize when one can't stop looking at a girl."

"I think you're imagining things."

Gabrielle rested her chin in her palm.

"Then explain why you're blushing."

"I'm not blushing."

"You absolutely are."

Simone looked away, hiding the smile threatening to appear.

"Let's change the subject."

Gabrielle laughed.

"I'll let it go... for now."

Later that afternoon, the two friends carried their shopping bags back to Simone's apartment building. Her father had called to let her know he had been sent out of town unexpectedly and wouldn't return until the next evening.

"So it's just us tonight," Simone said.

"Girls' night?" Gabrielle asked.

"Definitely."

They unpacked the groceries before heading upstairs to Simone's bedroom.

Gabrielle wandered toward the large window overlooking the neighboring apartment building.

"You've got a nice view."

She pulled back the curtains.

Her eyes widened.

"Oh..."

Simone joined her.

Across the narrow courtyard, another bedroom window stood directly opposite hers.

At that exact moment, Garrett Brooks walked into his room carrying a sports bag over one shoulder. Oblivious to the fact that anyone was watching, he tossed the bag onto his bed before pulling his basketball jersey over his head after practice.

Both girls froze.

Neither of them remembered they were standing in plain sight.

As Garrett reached for a clean shirt, he casually looked toward his window.

His eyes met theirs.

Silence.

A slow, amused smile spread across his face.

He lifted one hand and gave them a small wave.

"Oh my goodness!" Gabrielle whispered.

"He saw us!"

Simone's face turned bright red.

"Move!"

The two girls ducked below the windowsill at the same moment, bumping heads before collapsing into uncontrollable laughter.

"I'm never opening those curtains again," Simone groaned.

"You absolutely will," Gabrielle teased.

"Just maybe... not today."

The embarrassing moment became another story they knew would make them laugh for years.

As evening settled over the city, they ordered two large pizzas, changed into comfortable pajamas, and curled up beneath blankets in the living room. Gabrielle insisted on watching a horror movie despite openly admitting she hated scary films.

Ten minutes into the movie, she screamed at the first jump scare.

"I knew this was a bad idea," she complained.

"You picked it," Simone reminded her between laughs.

"I make terrible decisions."

Halfway through the film, three knocks echoed through the apartment.

Both girls froze.

Another knock followed.

Simone's father wasn't due home until the following evening.

Slowly, the two friends walked toward the door.

"You look first," Gabrielle whispered.

"No, you."

Together they leaned toward the peephole.

Gabrielle frowned.

"It's... a guy."

Simone looked.

The moment she recognized him, she sighed.

"It's Garrett."

They immediately remembered the awkward window incident.

"Oh no," Gabrielle whispered.

"He definitely came because of earlier."

After a moment's hesitation, Gabrielle opened the door while Simone stood partly hidden behind her.

Garrett stood there holding a bag filled with popcorn, chips, chocolate bars, and soft drinks.

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Hi."

Neither girl answered.

He laughed nervously.

"So... I figured we'd all pretend the window thing never happened."

Both girls immediately blushed.

"Deal," Simone said quickly.

Garrett lifted the snacks.

"I got bored sitting alone next door and bought way too much food. I was hoping you might want some company."

Simone folded her arms.

"No thanks. You're interrupting girls' day."

Garrett placed a dramatic hand over his chest.

"That hurts."

He held up a packet of gummy sweets.

"I brought peace offerings."

Gabrielle's eyes lit up instantly.

"You brought gummies?"

Simone looked at her friend.

"Seriously?"

Gabrielle shrugged innocently.

"I'm easily persuaded."

Garrett smiled.

"I promise I'll leave if you really want me to."

Simone studied him for a moment before stepping aside with a playful sigh.

"Fine."

"But only because you brought snacks."

His grin widened.

"I'll take it."

Within minutes, the apartment was filled with laughter again.

The three of them finished the movie together, joking about the ridiculous plot and arguing over which character made the worst decisions. Garrett fit naturally into the conversation, and before long it felt as though he had always been part of their little group.

Now and then, though, Garrett caught himself looking at Simone.

She laughed freely, her eyes shining every time she smiled. The warmth she carried made the room feel lighter, and he found himself smiling simply because she was.

Later that night, exhaustion finally caught up with them.

The television continued playing as Gabrielle curled beneath a blanket on one end of the couch. Simone leaned back against the cushions, while Garrett settled into the armchair nearby.

Before anyone realized it, all three had fallen asleep.

Morning sunlight spilled into the living room.

Simone woke first.

Stretching quietly, she smiled at the peaceful scene before tiptoeing into the kitchen.

She tied her curls into a messy bun and began preparing breakfast. Soon the apartment filled with the smell of eggs, toast, bacon, and freshly brewed coffee.

Footsteps echoed behind her.

"Morning."

She turned.

Garrett stood in the doorway, his hair slightly messy from sleep.

"Morning," she replied.

The comfortable silence between them felt strangely natural.

"Need help?" he asked.

"I wouldn't mind."

Working side by side, they prepared breakfast together, laughing over who made better coffee.

As Simone reached for a mug, Garrett reached for it too.

Their hands met around the handle.

Both froze.

A quiet shiver passed through them.

Neither pulled away immediately.

Garrett looked into her eyes.

"Simone..."

She met his gaze.

"I know we've only known each other for a little while," he said quietly. "But I like you."

The words lingered between them.

"I'm not asking for an answer today," he continued. "I just wanted you to know."

Before Simone could respond—

A loud yawn echoed from the living room.

"Please tell me someone made coffee," Gabrielle called.

The moment shattered.

Garrett quickly stepped back while Simone tried to hide the smile forming on her face.

Breakfast passed with laughter, teasing, and conversations about classes starting again on Monday.

When it was finally time to leave, the three walked into the hallway together.

Garrett stopped outside his apartment door.

"So..."

Simone smiled softly.

"I've been thinking about what you said."

He waited patiently.

"I don't know where this could lead yet," she admitted honestly. "We've only just met."

A hint of disappointment crossed his face.

"But..." she continued, "...I'd like to get to know you better."

His smile returned almost instantly.

"So... that's not a no?"

She shook her head.

"No."

"It's just not a yes... yet."

"I want us to become friends first."

Garrett nodded.

"I can do that."

He smiled warmly.

"I'll see you Monday morning, neighbor."

"I'll see you Monday morning."

As he disappeared into his apartment, Simone leaned gently against her front door, unable to stop smiling.

Maybe she wasn't ready to call it love.

But she couldn't deny that something new had quietly begun.

And neither of them realized that the coming week at Blackwood University would test that fragile beginning in ways they never expected.