One Year Later...

"Remind me again why you need this many pillows?"

Aiden huffs as he drops the cardboard box onto the floor of my dorm room, his cousin Ben trailing behind with the final few boxes. I watch Aiden wipe the back of his hand against his forehead, his waves are slightly damp from the early August heat. He stopped dying it after I admitted one late night that brunettes will always do it for me over blondes. His tank top clinging to his skin in a way I'm trying very hard not to get distracted by.

Ben gives me a quick salute before exiting the room, eager to make it to his baby sister's first ballet recital. I offer him my thanks with a warm smile before returning my attention to Aiden's question.

I smirk, settling onto the bare mattress that is surprisingly soft for a junior college dorm. "Because I like being comfortable?"

"You say that like my arms aren't the best pillows you could ask for," he says, flexing dramatically.

I roll my eyes, shoving his shoulder. "You mean the ones that go numb after only five minutes of carrying around my shopping bags?"

"Okay," He raises a hand defensively, plopping down beside me, "In my defense, the amount of clothes you buy in a single trip is alarming."

He leans back on his palms, surveying the bland room. "You know, this place is smaller than my apartment."

I raise a brow at him, "Any dorm will be smaller than your apartment."

I'll admit, it was a really nice place he rented out a few months ago.

"Should've taken up my offer to move in with me." He shrugs his shoulders, lying down on his back to stare up at the cheap ceiling tiles.

I poke his chest. "And give my poor mom a heart attack? I don't think so."

"Oh, please. If anyone can survive a heart attack, it's your mom. I see where you get your stubbornness from."

I laugh, nudging his foot with mine. "You're insufferable, Aiden."

"And yet, here you are," He tilts his chin to look at me from where he was sprawled out, taking up most of the space on the single bed, "hopelessly in love with me, sunshine." He teases, pulling me by onto him by my hand so I rested against him. His thumb brushes absentmindedly against my skin, grounding me in a way I never thought love could.

A year ago, I would've been terrified of this—of relying on someone so deeply, of giving my heart away again without knowing if I'd get to keep his in return. But Aiden has shown me, time and time again, that love isn't supposed to be something I brace myself for. Love, when done right, is steady, warm, and impossibly easy.

I squeeze his hand, "I guess I am."

He tilts his head, eyes softening. "Guess?"

I roll my eyes again, but my smile gives me away, "Fine. Hopelessly. Happy?"

"Ecstatic." He grins, then tugs me down and presses a gentle kiss on my lips.

For a moment, we lie there, letting the weight of everything settle. A lot has changed in our lives since last summer.

Aiden doesn't talk much about his dad anymore, but I know the decision to cut ties wasn't easy. He still checks in with his mom sometimes, but for the most part, he's learning to live life on his own terms.

And me? I'm learning, too.

I decided to take a gap year after high school, and even changed my entire college plan. I've been saving up to move out to pursue my education elsewhere. The trust fund my mom built for me saved me a lot of time and struggle. Now about to begin my school year at a community college that was only a fifteen minute drive from Aiden's place, I was finally at peace.

I never thought I'd be here, sitting in my dorm with the boy I fell in love with at summer camp, laughing about pillows and teasing each other like we have all the time in the world. But we do.

We have time.

And for once, I'm not afraid of it.

"Alright," Aiden suddenly speaks, standing up and offering me his hand, "Let's go grab some food before I have to head back. You're officially a college student now, which means your diet is about to consist of instant ramen and whatever's left in the dining hall at closing time."

"Wow," I deadpan, taking his hand and letting him pull me up. "So supportive."

"Always." He tugs me closer, looping his arms around me. His voice drops just slightly, playful but sincere. "I'm proud of you, you know that?"

My heart trips over itself, and I nod, letting my hand mold into his. "Yeah," I whisper. "I know."

His smile is small but full of warmth. "Good."

Then, as if the moment never happened, he jokingly drags me out into the hall with a dramatic sigh. "Now, c'mon. Feed me before I waste away."

I laugh, closing the door behind me and letting him lead me toward the stairwell. "You're ridiculous."

"And yet," he echoes from earlier, shooting me a grin as he slings an arm around my shoulders, "here you are, hopelessly in love with me."

I roll my eyes, but I don't let go.

Because I am right where I want to be.