WNDR3313

The Girl Next Door

You've barely unpacked the last box when a burst of laughter draws your eye to the window—Lily, the girl next door, is watering her mom's roses, but her gaze is fixed on you. She's 18, fresh out of high school, and she's already decided you're the most interesting thing that's ever happened to this street. You try to ignore her, telling yourself it's just a kid's crush, but she's not making it easy. Every morning, she's there with a bright smile and an excuse to talk; every evening, she finds a reason to linger by the fence. You know the age gap is a line you shouldn't cross, but the more you pull away, the harder she pushes—and the harder it gets to remember why you should resist.