It was the day I traversed 8,500 kilometers from Germany to the sprawling landscapes of the US to reunite with my beloved, portly friend—Eric, affectionately known as "Eric the Gobbler." Our friendship had flourished since high school, where we forged memories that would last a lifetime. He had married his high school sweetheart, a beautiful girl named Anna, in an early ceremony just as I was embarking on my own job search. Eric was a mere nineteen-year-old at that time.
Upon my arrival, Eric graciously offered me a temporary haven at his house while I navigated the intricacies of my new job. His life had blossomed further; he and Anna were now parents to a precious five-month-old baby boy named Noel. As we settled into the familiar rhythms of friendship, Eric casually mentioned that they had a babysitter who helped care for Noel during their evenings out.
"Is that a problem for you?" he inquired, a mischievous glint in his eye.
I chuckled and replied, "As long as she's beautiful, I've got no issues, buddy." Laughter filled the air, and for a moment, all was right in our world.
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May 10, 2016, 7 PM
That same evening, as Eric and Anna prepared for a night at the theater to see "Mad Max: Fury Road"—a film I had heard raving reviews about—they entrusted me with Noel, assuring me the babysitter would return after her date. Time slipped by, and at 7:30 PM, the doorbell chimed, accompanied by the distant sound of birds screeching. I rose from the couch, contemplating what to order for dinner, settling on a cheeseburger.
As I swung open the door, my breath caught in my throat. Standing before me was an exquisite young woman, possibly my age, enveloped in a stunning crimson dress that seemed to glow against her fair skin. I was utterly captivated; her hair framed two delicate bangs that danced softly around her face. There was a dizzying depth to her sea-blue eyes, and her nose, perfectly almond-shaped, lent her an aura of elegance. My heart raced as I took in her slightly dry, yet alluring lips, and I felt an irresistible urge to grasp her hand.
"Who are you?" I managed to ask, my voice barely a whisper.
With a playful smirk, she replied, "I'm the babysitter, you dumbo." Her humor caught me off guard. Intrigued
I asked her name, and she answered, "Sarah Isabella." A rush of warmth flooded through me, causing my heart to momentarily stall. There was an unsettling feeling blossoming within me.
"And you?" she inquired, her gaze piercing through my shell.
"I'm Noah Alexander," I stated, noticing an awkward flicker across her face. Mustering the courage, I asked, "How are you doing?"
"I just went on a date with a guy named Adam," she replied, her voice a mix of longing and sadness.
"Is he good?" I ventured.
"Yeah ! but not like the guy I used to know," she said, her tone breaking slightly as tears threatened to spill. Concern washed over me, and before I knew it, I pulled her into a warm embrace, feeling the weight of her emotions—anger, sorrow, and a flicker of joy.
"Why did you leave me alone?" she cried, tears cascading down her cheeks.
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6 Years Before.....
August 22nd 2010
It was the day after spring break. I found myself seated in the corner of my school, gazing out the window, lost in thought about the weather. Suddenly, a melodic voice broke my reverie, "My name is Sarah Isabella."
She had transferred from Germany, carrying an aura of mystery wrapped in beauty. When I turned to face her, a thought reverberated in my mind: 'My gosh, she is stunning.' It felt as if the entire class had fallen under her spell, myself included.
She approached and sat beside me, her petite form radiating curiosity. "What's your name?" she asked.
"Noah," I replied, the name sounding foreign yet familiar on my tongue.
"Last name?" she prodded, a hint of mischief in her tone.
"Noah Alexander," I managed, slightly annoyed by her insistence.
With her perfect baby face, cheeks puffed and expression sheepish, she said, "I'm sorry if I troubled you."
My cheeks flushed crimson as I reassured her, "It's all good, don't sweat it." Her giggle was an enchanting melody, igniting something in me that I couldn't quite place. That's where my little love story begin.
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