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They say love is the most natural thing in the world, but for me, it's always been confusing. I'm Aiden Montiero, a first-year college student majoring in business trying to balance lectures, deadlines, and awkward small talk. But when it comes to relationships? That's a whole different story. I've never been in one and don't even know where to start. It's not that people don't interest me.... it's just that love feels like a puzzle I can't solve. When others talk about sparks and butterflies, I just nod along, pretending I understand. The truth is, I don't.

To me, love feels like a foreign language I've never learned. I watch my friends dive into it.... some come out happy, others hurt.... while I'm stuck wondering how to even begin. Maybe I've been too focused on school, or maybe I'm not ready. Or maybe... I'm just scared of what I'll find.

My parents are always busy. Mom is a corporate lawyer who's in court more than at home, and Dad is a consultant who's always on the go. They decided that giving me independence was the best gift, which is how I ended up living alone in a house they gave me.

"You'll learn responsibility this way," Mom said during dinner one night, barely looking up from her emails and phone calls.

"And discipline," Dad added, already halfway out the door. "Just call if you need anything."

But calling them isn't easy.... they're always busy.

So here I am, living alone in a house I didn't ask for. They've covered all the essentials.... food, bills, and an allowance.... but sitting around doing nothing isn't for me. That's why I got a part-time job at a nearby cafe.

"Why are you even working? Your parents are loaded," my coworker Alex asked while we clean the tables.

I shrugged, wiping the counter. "I just need something to do. It feels good to earn my own money."

Alex laughed, tossing a rag into the sink. "You're weird, man. Most people would kill for what you've got."

Maybe he's right. Maybe I am weird. But the cafe makes my house feel less empty. The chatter, the clinking of mugs, and the chaos of rush hour.... it's comforting.

"Hey," Alex said as we locked up the night. "Don't forget to live a little, okay? Life's not just about work."

I smiled slightly, shoving my hands into my jacket pockets. "I'll think about it."

Honestly, I'm still figuring out what "living" really means. I don't know if I'll find it in my quiet house or the cafe's busy routine, but maybe.... just maybe.... I'll discover it someday.

The wind stung my face as I tightened my jacket, my breath forming small clouds in the cold night air. The streets were silent, the distant hum of the city fading as I took my usual shortcut home. My footsteps echoed against the road as I walked past the old park.

I paused, my eyes drawn to the swings, gently swaying in the breeze. Memories flooded back, vivid as if they had happened yesterday.

There was a boy I used to play with here, back when my parents still had time to take me to the park every weekend. I never learned his name.... we didn't think it mattered. We were just two kids, running, laughing, and inventing games only we understood.

"Tag, you're it!" he'd shout, running past me with full of energy.

I'd chase him, both of us laughing until we were breathless. He had a way of making every moment feel like an adventure, as though the world was ours.

But one weekend, he wasn't there. I sat on the swings, waiting, kicking at the dirt with my shoes. I came back the next weekend, and the one after that, but he never returned.

"Hey, what happened to your friend?" my mom asked once, noticing my silence.

"I don't know," I muttered, staring out the car window. "He just stopped coming."

Now, as I stood at the park's rusting gate, I couldn't help but wonder what happened to him. Did he move away? Did he lose interest in the park? Did he ever think of me, the way I still thought of him?

I sighed, shoving my hands into my pockets, and turned to leave. Behind me, the swings creaked softly, their sound carried away by the wind.

"Maybe some things are just meant to stay in the past," I said quietly, though I wasn't sure I believed it.

I lingered at the gate for a moment, my breath hanging in the air. My fingers found the necklace around my neck, the moon-shaped pendant cool against my skin. I'd worn it every day since the last time I saw him.... since he gave it to me.

He was more than just a friend. He was my protector. When other kids teased me or tried to push me around, he'd step in without hesitation. "Leave him alone," he'd say firmly, standing in front of me like a shield. And when I cried, he'd always find a way to make me laugh, pulling faces or telling silly stories he made up on the spot.

"Don't cry," he'd say, crouching to my level. "You look funnier when you cry, you know that?"

I'd laugh through my tears, punching him lightly on the arm. "Shut up."

But he'd just grin, his mischievous smile lighting up everything around us.

The last time we were together, he seemed different.... quieter. We sat on the swings as the sun set, the sky glowing orange and pink. He fiddled with something in his hands before turning to me.

"Here," he said, holding out a necklace with small moon pendant. "For you."

I blinked in surprise. "Why?"

He shrugged with a soft smile. "Just because. You can wear it, and it'll remind you of me."

I held it carefully, confused. "Thanks. But... why do I need a reminder? We'll see each other next weekend, right?"

He didn't answer immediately. He just smiled and slipped something out from under his shime.... a necklace of his own, with a sun pendant.

"See you next time," he said casually, and then ran off, waving as he went.

I waited for him the next weekend and the one after that, but he never came back. He'd said, "See you next time," but that time never came.

Now, standing here years later, I clutched the moon pendant tightly, my heart heavy with unspoken questions.

"Where did you go?" I whispered to the night. The wind gave no answers, just the soft creak of the swings behind me.

I entered the house. It was quiet, with the lights off. Only the footsteps of mine could be heard as I walked towards my room. I collapse on my bed staring at the ceiling blankly.

The silence of the house was almost deafening as I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. My thoughts drifted back to the park, to the boy with the sun pendant. I closed my eyes, his last words echoing in my mind.... "See you next time." A bitter smile tugged at my lips. "Next time," I thought. Will it ever come?

Before I knew it, sleep crept in, pulling me into its quiet embrace.

-------

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the blinds, nudging me awake. I groaned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes before dragging myself out of bed. My morning routine was the same as always.... shower, brush my teeth, throw on my uniform, and grab a quick bite to eat. By the time I was out the door, the sun was fully up, and the streets buzzed with the usual morning activity.

At school, the day felt like a blur of lectures and note-taking. The teachers droned on about things I was half paying attention to, my mind wandering back to the park more often than I'd like.

When lunchtime came around, I headed to the canteen. I spotted my usual group of classmates sitting together at a corner table, laughing and poking fun at each other. They weren't exactly my closest friends, but I'd gotten used to their company over the past few months.

One of them was Vincent Cruz, the guy who always seemed to know what was happening around campus. He was a talker, always at the center of things, with his messy black hair and a casual smile that made him seem approachable. He had this confident, almost cocky air about him, but underneath it, he was a good guy. He could always make people laugh with his jokes, even if they were sometimes a little too much. He was the one who'd started the conversation.

"Man, this chicken is dry as hell," Vincent said, poking at his lunch with a plastic fork. He was the type to say whatever was on his mind.

Beside him was Martin Garcia, who wasn't as loud as Vincent but had this quiet charm about him. He was a little on the stocky side, his brown hair always kept neat, unlike Vincent's wild hair. Martin wasn't one to draw attention, but he always had a way of calming people down when things got tense.

"Expecting gourmet food here?" Martin said, laughing lightly. His round glasses gave him a more serious look, but his easygoing attitude always kept the mood light.

I just kept to myself, picking at my food. I didn't feel like talking much today. My mind was still heavy with thoughts of that park.

"Hey," Vincent leaned in, lowering his voice like he was about to share some top-secret gossip. "You guys hear about the new kid?"

My curiosity was piqued. "A new student? This late in the semester?" I glanced up from my lunch, genuinely surprised.

Vincent grinned, clearly enjoying the attention. "Yeah, apparently, it's a guy. Word is, he's, like, really good-looking."

"Is that supposed to impress us?" Martin smirked, rolling his eyes.

"Who knows? It's just what I heard," Vincent shrugged, his grin widening. "I'm just saying, new face, new drama. You know how it goes."

I couldn't help but wonder what this new guy would be like. School was small enough that everyone knew each other, but a new student could shake things up, especially if Vincent was right about the drama. It made me think about how out of place I felt sometimes, even in a crowd of people I'd known for months.

"Well, I hope he's not a show-off," said Carla Rivera, another classmate who had joined the conversation. Carla was a few seats down, her blonde hair pulled into a tight ponytail, and her sharp eyes always seemed to notice everything happening around her. She was a bit of a perfectionist, always striving to do well in everything. She wasn't exactly unfriendly, but she liked keeping to herself.

"Maybe he'll be like you, Vincent," she teased. "A walking, talking drama machine."

The group laughed, but I didn't join in. I wasn't particularly interested in this new student or the gossip that surrounded him. My thoughts kept drifting back to the moon pendant resting against my chest. "See you next time." I couldn't shake the feeling that the past was catching up to me.

The conversation moved on to other things, but I couldn't stop wondering about this transfer student. Could it be that, just like the rumors, he'd stir things up? Or would he be another face I'd barely notice in the crowd?

I leaned back in my chair, staring out at the busy cafeteria, but my mind was still a million miles away.

As I absentmindedly stirred my drink, trying to block out the noise around me, the conversation shifted.

"So, Aiden..." Vincent said, his voice laced with a mischievous tone.

I glanced up, but before I could respond, Martin leaned forward, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, Aiden, when are you gonna get a girlfriend?"

The table erupted in laughter.

I froze for a moment, my stomach tightening. It wasn't the first time they'd teased me about it, but it always caught me off guard. To them, it was just a joke, but to me... it always felt a little more real.

"Yeah, you've been what? Eighteen? Nineteen?" Vincent continued, his grin widening. "And never even had a date, huh?"

I gave them a weak smile, trying to play it cool. "Guess I'm just focused on other things."

"Other things?" Carla raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Like what, your moonlight obsession?" She gestured toward the pendant under my shirt, which I hadn't realized I was tugging at nervously.

I froze for a second, my fingers lingering on the pendant. I quickly pulled my hand away, forcing myself to laugh. "It's not an obsession. Just... something I like."

"Right," Martin said, smirking. "Something you like, huh? Still, when are you gonna stop hiding behind that moon pendant and get out there? You've got all this freedom, and you're wasting it."

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, pushing my food around, suddenly less hungry. I didn't know how to explain that it wasn't about hiding behind anything.... it was just that relationships didn't make sense to me. The more I tried to understand, the more I felt lost in it all.

"I don't know," I muttered, my voice quieter than I meant it to be. "Maybe I just haven't found the right person yet."

Vincent snorted. "Come on, Aiden, at least try to find someone. Don't let all that 'focusing on yourself' stuff hold you back forever." He nudged Martin, who was still grinning. "You think he's ever gonna meet a girl, or is he gonna stay this way forever?"

The group laughed again, but I forced a smile. It wasn't like I didn't understand where they were coming from. It's just that.... I wasn't sure if I even wanted a relationship. Everyone around me seemed to move so easily from one connection to another, and I was just left wondering if I was missing something, or if I was simply not ready for it.

I let out a quiet sigh. "Maybe, I don't know. We'll see."

The teasing died down after a few moments, but the feeling lingered, nagging at me. I tried to focus on my food, but all I could think about was how easy it was for everyone else to figure things out.... while I, still clutching the moon pendant, couldn't even get a grasp on something as simple as love.

-------

Later that day, I trudged back home, my mind still tangled with the conversation from the canteen. I expected the usual.... quiet, empty house. My parents were still caught up in their busy careers, and the silence was something I had gotten used to.

But when I opened the door, something felt... off.

The front door creaked as I stepped inside, and I immediately froze. There, in the living room, was a guy.... standing by the couch, his back turned to me. His presence felt foreign, like an intruder. My heart raced as I took a step back, wondering if I'd somehow walked into the wrong house.

But no, this was definitely my house.

The guy turned slowly, his face half-hidden in the shadows of the dimly lit room. My heart pounded in my chest as I took an instinctive step back, my breath catching in my throat. The silence between us felt suffocating, the air thick with tension.

He didn't say a word. He just stood there, watching me, his dark eyes cold and unblinking. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.... this wasn't just a random stranger.

"Who are you?" I finally managed to force out, my voice barely above a whisper.

I stared at stranger nervous and doesn't know what to do.

Suddenly, before the stranger could say a word, my phone buzzed loudly in my pocket, shattering the tense silence. I flinched, fumbling to pull it out, my eyes never leaving the shadowy figure. 

It was my dad. 

I hesitated before answering, my voice shaky. “H-Hello?” 

“Aiden,” my dad’s voice came through, calm and casual, as if nothing unusual was happening. “I forgot to mention earlier. My friend’s son will be staying with you for a while. He needed a place, and since the house is big enough, I figured it wouldn’t be a problem.” 

My mind raced as I glanced back at the guy standing in the middle of my living room. Friend’s son?

“Wait… what?” I blurted, my voice rising slightly. “You didn’t even tell me about this!” 

“I’m telling you now,” my dad replied matter-of-factly. “Be nice, okay? And....” 

But I wasn’t listening anymore. My eyes were locked on the stranger, my chest tightening. So this wasn’t some random intruder... but why did it feel like the air in the room had dropped ten degrees? 

A few minutes passed in heavy silence after my dad hung up, the phone call ending abruptly as I stood frozen, trying to piece everything together. My mind was still spinning, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened.

I swallowed hard, finally finding my voice again. “So… are you the son of my dad's friend??”

The stranger didn’t answer right away. He simply took a step forward, the light from the lamp above flickering on as he moved, illuminating his features.

As the shadows receded, I blinked, my mind racing to adjust to what I was seeing. The guy... this wasn’t the same intimidating figure I’d seen earlier. He was... different.

He had warm, inviting brown eyes, and the faintest trace of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. His dark brown hair, slightly tousled, framed his face in a way that made him look effortlessly charming. The more I looked at him, the more I realized just how handsome he was... his strong jawline, high cheekbones, and a pair of deep dimples that appeared when he smiled made him look approachable, not threatening.

I stood there, still unsure of what to say, as the tension I had felt earlier slowly began to dissipate.

“My name is Jake Callister,” he said finally, his voice low and calm, almost as if he were trying to reassure me. He took another step closer, holding out his hand. “I guess I’m going to be living here for a while.”

I hesitated for a moment before slowly shaking his hand, still processing everything. The warmth in his handshake surprised me, making me wonder if I had been completely wrong in reading him. This guy didn’t look like someone who would sneak into someone’s house and make them feel uneasy.

“You’re… Dad’s friend’s son?” I asked, the words leaving my mouth almost automatically, trying to make sense of the situation.

He nodded, his smile never fading. “Yeah. I know it’s a bit sudden, but I’m here now. Looks like we’re housemates.”

Housemates. The word still felt strange in my mouth, and I was having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of suddenly sharing my space with a complete stranger. But there was something about Jake... his calm demeanor, his warm smile... that made me think maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as I initially feared.

I took a deep breath, still trying to collect my thoughts, and finally spoke. "I'm Aiden... Aiden Montiero," I said, my voice a little shaky, but I forced myself to sound calm. "I guess... welcome to my house." 

Jake nodded, still smiling warmly, but there was a slight hesitation in his gaze. He must’ve noticed the way I’d tensed up when I first saw him. 

“I’m really sorry about earlier,” Jake said, his voice apologetic. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I probably came off a little... too intense.” He chuckled lightly, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I just didn’t expect to meet you like that. I should’ve introduced myself properly before I went all mysterious on you." 

His words surprised me. The way he spoke was so genuine, and the apology felt sincere. It made me relax a little, but I still wasn’t entirely sure what to make of the situation. 

“No, it’s okay,” I replied, forcing a smile. “I wasn’t expecting someone to just be in my house like that. But, uh, I guess we’ll get used to it.” I ran a hand through my hair, still feeling a little awkward. 

Jake smiled again, his dimples making an appearance, which made him look even more approachable. "Yeah, I get it. I’ll try not to freak you out next time." 

I chuckled softly, the tension in the room easing. "It's fine. Really." 

We both stood there for a moment, the awkwardness lingering for a few seconds, but there was a kind of understanding between us now. The situation had shifted from tense to... just strange. 

“So, where do I put my stuff?” Jake asked, his eyes scanning the living room as he looked around. "Do you mind if I just… set up in one of the spare rooms?" 

I nodded, finally starting to feel more at ease. “Yeah, sure. There’s a room upstairs, second door on the left.” 

“Perfect,” Jake said, his smile widening again. "Thanks, Aiden. And again, sorry for the scare." 

“It's alright,” I said, feeling a bit more relaxed now. “I’m sure we’ll figure this out.” 

With that, Jake turned toward the stairs, carrying his bag, and I watched him disappear up the staircase, still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I now had a housemate... someone I hadn’t even known existed until a few minutes ago.

A few minutes later, I heard Jake’s footsteps coming back down the stairs. I was sprawled on the couch, flipping through channels and barely paying attention to whatever was on TV. I glanced up as he entered the living room, looking more relaxed now, his bag presumably unpacked.

“Settled in?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“Yeah,” Jake said with a small smile. “The room’s nice. Thanks.”

I nodded, looking back at the TV. “Good to know. Anyway… you hungry? I was thinking we could just order something for dinner.”

Jake raised an eyebrow, leaning against the back of the couch. “Order something? You don’t cook?”

I laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck. “Not really. My mom’s maid comes by once a week to clean up and put groceries in the fridge, but… I don’t really know what to do with them. So yeah, I just order out most of the time or grab takeout.”

Jake crossed his arms, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “You’ve got a fridge full of ingredients and no idea what to do with them?”

I shrugged, trying to play it off. “Pretty much.”

“Well,” he said, straightening up, “you’re in luck. I know how to cook.”

I blinked, caught off guard. “Wait, really?”

“Yeah,” Jake replied with a grin. “Why don’t I check what’s in the fridge, and I’ll whip something up? Better than wasting money on takeout.”

I hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. “If you’re sure. Knock yourself out.”

Jake chuckled and headed toward the kitchen. “Alright, let’s see what your maid stocked up on. Don’t blame me if I end up using some weird stuff, though.”

I watched him disappear into the kitchen, still processing the fact that my new housemate could actually cook. It was… unexpected, to say the least.

“Anything I can do to help?” I called out, more out of politeness than actual willingness to assist.

“Just sit tight,” Jake shouted back, the sound of the fridge opening echoing through the house. “I’ve got this covered.”

I leaned back on the couch, shaking my head with a small smile. Maybe having Jake around wouldn’t be so bad after all.

After a while, the aroma of something delicious began wafting through the living room. It smelled incredible... warm, savory, and nothing like the usual takeout I’d been living on. I found myself glancing toward the kitchen every now and then, my curiosity growing with each passing minute. 

Then Jake’s voice called out, breaking my train of thought. 

“Aiden! Dinner’s ready!” 

I sat up from the couch, a little surprised at how quickly he’d managed to pull something together. “Coming!” I called back, turning off the TV and making my way toward the kitchen. 

As I stepped inside, I stopped in my tracks, my eyes widening. The table was set with two plates of what looked like some kind of stir-fry... perfectly cooked vegetables, tender slices of chicken, and steaming rice. It looked like something straight out of a restaurant. 

“You… made this?” I asked, still staring at the plates in disbelief. 

Jake turned to me, wiping his hands on a dish towel, his dimples showing as he grinned. “What, you didn’t think I could actually cook?” 

“I mean, I believed you,” I said, moving closer to the table, “but this looks… professional.” 

He shrugged, clearly trying to downplay it. “It’s just something simple. Nothing fancy.” 

I sat down, still eyeing the food as if it might disappear. “Simple? Dude, I’ve been living on takeout and instant noodles. This is a feast.” 

Jake laughed, sitting across from me. “Well, consider this my first contribution as your new housemate. Dig in before it gets cold.” 

I didn’t need to be told twice. Picking up my fork, I took my first bite, and the flavors immediately exploded in my mouth. It was warm, savory, and perfectly seasoned... so much better than anything I’d eaten in weeks. 

“Wow,” I mumbled through a mouthful, “this is amazing.” 

Jake chuckled, watching me with amusement. “Glad you like it. Guess I’m in charge of the cooking from now on.” 

I looked up at him, half-joking. “If you keep cooking like this, I won’t complain.” 

He grinned, his dimples deepening. “Deal.” 

For the first time since he showed up, I felt a sense of ease. Maybe having Jake around really wouldn’t be so bad.