It was my third year at Davidson. I had kept in touch with Caden, Nick, and Anne, and they knew about Anna. It was just after summer break, and my friends were sick of me talking about the childish crush. So they gave me some advice; tell her.

"What?" I asked.

Caden shrugged. "I mean, you should ask Anna out."

By this point, Caden was dating a Harvard girl named Amy.

Right now, all the girls were gone, leaving us boys by ourselves. Amy, Anne, and Sophia were shopping. So, DJ, Caden, Nick and I were all hanging around. Believe it or not, guys loved to gossip, too.

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Cade?" DJ asked.

Caden shrugged. "Why not?"

Nick scoffed. "Dude, remember you and Samantha? I mean, friend group relationships don't seem to work out too well. And you're the ultimate ladies man."

Caden shook his head. "C'mon, that's different. That was middle school. I feel like Junior and Anna could be a good match."

The door opened. "What're you boys talking about?" Sophia asked.

We all looked at each other. "Nothing," I answered.

Anne took a seat in between me and Nick. "Charles, you're not a good liar."

I groaned. "Why can none of you just call me Charlie?"

DJ shrugged. "Hey, nicknames are great. I mean, my whole name is a nickname. Darren James Carl. DJ Carl. You see?"

"I've gone by nicknames most of my life. Even now I'm going by a nickname! But, Charlie is much better than Charles, Anne," I pointed out.

Anne shrugged, ruffling my hair. "I'll call you what I want to call you."

So, once school started back up, I debated over whether or not to take Caden's advice. DJ was no help. He kept saying that both had ups and downs. It'd suck if our friend group broke apart, but it'd be great if Anna actually was the girl of my dreams, and we worked out. Would it be better to risk losing friends, or possibly find my future wife? Or, at least somebody that could bring me even more joy for a while. Sure, I've been fine recently, but what if I get worse? Who'll be by my side when I'm at my worst? What if that person is Anna?

It was the first Friday back. I decided I wanted to give her the weekend to think about it. So, right as school was ending, I approached her. Samantha could see the nervous and slightly serious expression on my face.

"I think I'll go," she said, drawing out each word.

I nodded, mouthing a thank you to her.

"So... what d'you want to talk about?" Anna asked.

I started fidgeting with the paper swan in my hand. I had been so nervous to talk to her that I had made three throughout the day. The one currently in my hand was very neatly folded into a small and neat white swan. I made cranes more than swans, but the swans were prettier. I wrote Anna's name neatly on the wings, and once the crane was unfolded, it had a note on it. I knew I'd be too nervous to talk to her--and I was right. A familiar lump was forming in my throat, my breath hitching. "Can, um... can you open this? It-It's a note for... for you. It's, um, kind of important, I guess. Just..." I sighed in panic, setting the crane in Anna's hands. I nervously rubbed the back of my neck. "Th-Thanks," I stuttered, speed walking out the door.

I was immediately met with DJ.

"So?" he asked, clearly eager. "Did you ask?"

I shrugged, continuing my walk to our place. Me, DJ, and a senior named Mason. Mason was never home, and spent most nights with his girlfriend Liv. Still, he paid rent. I only really saw him once a week, and that was only when we woke up and went to sleep. "I guess," I answered.

"What do you mean 'I guess'?" he demanded. "I want details, dude!"

"I gave her a swan that I made," I explained.

"A swan? I guess that's kind of romantic."

"Of course it is!" I argued.

DJ shrugged. "I guess we'll find out on Monday."

But we didn't have to wait until Monday.

Anna came to our place on Saturday. I had just woken up, so DJ got the door. "Um, Charlie?" he called out.

I groaned, running my hands over my face. "What?"

"You better come to the door."

"C'mon, DJ," I complained, making my way to the door. "This better be import--"

That's when I saw her.

Anna was standing at the door, wearing a nice flower dress and holding a small purse. I couldn't help but gawk at her beauty. Her smile was bright, and her eyes pierced into me. In one hand, she fiddled with a piece of paper that had clearly been folded.

The swan.

DJ looked between us, and hesitantly stepped away. I couldn't find anything to say to Anna--I didn't expect to see her until Monday! I had nothing to say.

"You want to step outside?" she asked nervously.

I nodded, and quickly closed my mouth once I realized it was still open.

Once we were outside, Anna tried to meet my eyes, but I found it hard to hold her gaze.

"So..." she started.

"So..." I continued.

Anna shrugged. "Did you really mean everything you wrote?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"You think I'm beautiful?"

"Of course."

"I... I think you're pretty cute, too."

I blushed.

"I-I'd love to go on a date with you."

And after that sentence, my whole life went uphill.

Mom and Papa visited, and though Papa wasn't too approving and was a little harsh with Anna, Mom loved her, and I could see Andrew did, too.

By our third year in college, we were official.

By our fourth year, we had moved in together.

At age twenty-six, we got married.

At thirty-five, we had a son. His name was Peter Benjamin Johnson. Benjamin was Charlie's middle name. He started to go by PJ in first grade, and occasionally PBJ.

I got Peter hooked on making cranes and swans, too. He loved it.

I still keep in touch with my friends. DJ is still single, but he makes big money as an actor. Nick and Anne have a kid named Olivia, but they're no longer dating. Samantha started dating a guy named Elliot. Caden and Amy worked out, too, and they have twins--Elijah and Ruby. Sophia is single, just like her brother, but she's traveling the world instead.

Right before I started writing this, we celebrated Peter's elementary school graduation. He insisted we go to a Mexican place.

Me, Anna, Mom, and Papa were there. Peter asked Mom about Grandpa Charlie, and she was willing to give him any information he wanted.

Andrew started wolfing down his taco. "This is a great place, Peter," he said.

Peter frowned. "How many times do I have to tell you that it's PJ!" he complained.

I chuckled, ruffling my kid's hair. "It won't work, Peter," I told him. He frowned. "PJ. It won't work because it never worked with me. I was always Charlie, even when I went by Junior and Charles. You'll always be Peter, PJ. Even to me."

Peter groaned, but he had a smile on his face.

Andrew raised his hand, getting the attention of a waiter. "Hey," he said, "can I get another taco over here?"

We ate and laughed the rest of the night. Andrew ordered more and more tacos, and Peter helped him finish them all. I grabbed Anna's hand, giving it a light squeeze.

This was the happiest me, or Mom have ever been. And I loved it. I loved my wife, I loved my child, and I loved my family.

I was actually happy.