I don't know why I'm nervous, but when the bell rings I have to stop and take a deep breath before answering the door.

"Hey there!" I say, my eyes going from Lucas to the mini him in front of me.

"Hey," Lucas says. His hand is on Nate's shoulder and they both seem nervous.

"Hi, you must be Nate. I'm Alexia, your new neighbor," I say and kneel to Nate's eye level to offer him my hand.

"Nice to meet you, Alexia," he says, shaking my hand before looking away.

Doesn't he want to stay here? I stand up and make room for them to pass.

"Have a seat. The pizza will be here any minute now," I say.

"Thanks," Lucas says.

"Okay. So, Nate, your dad was saying you're going to be in first grade this year? Are you excited?" I ask, sitting by his side.

"Yeah, dad says I get to make a lot of new friends now." He smiles at me.

"I just moved here and got a new job, you know? I'm excited to make new friends too. For now, the only friend I have around these parts is your dad," I say, making a sad face, then smiling, so he knows I'm kidding.

"Oh, don't you have any friends?" Nate asks and turns his body, tilting his head to study me.

"I do. I have many friends, but they live a little far from me right now, so I don't get to see them too often," I say, and he looks at me as if he is contemplating something.

"There was a new girl in my class, Julia... She didn't know anyone at first. The teacher said we should be nice to her," he says.

"You seem to have a wonderful teacher." I smile.

"Yeah, but the kids didn't like to play with her, so dad said I should introduce myself and invite her to play. Right dad?" he says, his eyes darting at Lucas, who nods at him.

"Yeah? And did you do that?" I ask.

"Hmmm... I don't like girls very much, but dad said I should be nice to her because everybody needs a friend. So, I invited her to play with me, and she is the fastest kid in our class. Now everybody wants to play with her, but she says she is my best friend and best friends always come first."

"Wow, I bet your father is very proud of you," I say, looking at Lucas who sure is smiling proudly at his son.

"Uh..." Nate studies me for a moment before saying, "I can be your friend too if you want..." He mumbles and my heart warms.

God, what is it with these Hart boys making my heart melt?

"I'd love that," I say and give him a smile right before he spits on his hand and offers it to me.

"What are you doing Nate?" His father asks, horrified.

"Oh..." I whisper.

"Yeah, Julia said it's a pact. Once you do it, you can't break it," he explains, his eyes so innocent and open, my heart feels like it's about to burst.

"Buddy..." Lucas says, looking at me for help, but I'm so touched by Nate's offer, I don't think twice before spitting on my hand and offering it to him too.

"Oh, boy!" Lucas burst out laughing, his head shaking in amusement, but Nate's eyes are locked on mine.

"Now we are friends forever. You don't need to worry," Nate says, smiling while we shake hands.

"Friends forever," I promise, smiling back at him.

Lucas sobers up when he hears us making our pact, looking at us with such emotion, I can't understand what he's feeling. But before I can figure it out, the intercom rings, interrupting us.

"It must be the pizza. You guys go wash your hands and I'll get it." Lucas clears his throat while he stands up.

I look at my hand and grin at Nate. "Guess we did a mess, huh? Let's go to the bathroom to wash it."

When we get back, Lucas is putting the pizza on the coffee table.

"Let me get some plates. Nate, can you get some cans of coke from the fridge?" I ask, making my way to the kitchen.

"Yep," he says.

After we settle everything, we stuff ourselves with pizza and ice cream, while watching silly shows on TV.

"Jeez, I'm full." I sigh, rubbing my stomach.

"Me too. We should have pizza and ice cream for dinner every day, dad," Nate says, licking his fingers.

"Ha Ha Nice try, buddy! But this is your last treat. School is almost back, so we're getting back to our routine, little one," Lucas says.

"Yeah..." Nate yawns.

"I think we should get going, someone is about to crash here," Lucas says, his eyes smiling.

"What? I'm awake!" Nate says, but then yawns again, making us laugh. Lucas stands up and starts cleaning the table before I stop him.

"I can do this," I say, touching his arm.

"Okay." He caresses my arm for a moment. "I'll get going then. We're way past his bedtime." He takes Nate's hands and they turn to me.

"Well, now that we are friends, I guess I'll see you often, right Nate?" I ask.

"Sure. You're cool." He smiles at me and I blow him a kiss, making him roll his eyes.

"What about me, won't you be seeing me?" Lucas teases.

"Aren't you adorable, Lucas?" I say, pinching his cheek. "I am seeing you again but Nate and I have a pact. He has some privileges, you know?"

"Oh, I see." He smirks at me. "Let's get going, kid. Need me to carry you?"

"Dad! I'm not a baby!" Nate crosses his arms the same way his father does, and I bite my lips not to smile.

"Yeah, yeah. I keep forgetting that," Lucas says and looks at me as if trying to contain his laughter too.

"Thanks for the pizza," he whispers, brushing his hand to mine.

"Thank you for coming," I whisper back, glancing at Nate.

"Do I get a kiss?" I say looking at them.

"A kiss?" Lucas gasps, his face going red.

"From Nate." I laugh and shove his arm.

"Oh right..." He murmurs, a silly smile on his lips.

"Oh, I can't kiss you. I'm sorry," Nate says.

"No?" I look at Lucas, trying to understand why.

"Yeah, Julia says if I kiss her I can't kiss other girls." I hear nate say.

Damn, this kid is adorable.

"You know what? She is absolutely right. How about a friendly hug, then?" I chuckle, and he shrugs after a moment.

"I guess that's okay," he says, and I kneel to hug him.

"Tell Julia she doesn't need to worry about our friendship, okay?" I look into his eyes and smile.

"Okay," he says as I stand up.

"See you guys around." I turn my attention to Lucas, who is watching me instensly.

Yeah, he needs to stop doing that if we are going to be friends and all.

"Bye," Lucas whispers and kisses my cheek before leaving with his son.

*****

My new home is now fully organized, and I have just a few days before classes start. Today, there's a meeting with all the staff at school and I'm excited to meet the other teachers and get my classroom ready. I want to make a good impression, so, as I stare at the row of clothes in front of me, I can't decide what to wear.

I have never been shy about my body, but these new curves are making me second guess everything. I want to seem professional and friendly, so I opt for black pants, a cute flowery blouse, a grey blazer, and my favorite pair of black pumps. I'm happy when I look at myself in the mirror. My eyes are shining at me and for the first time in a long time, I feel good.

I look at my watch and see I still have some time to kill, so after putting my hair in a ponytail, I head to the living room with my laptop. I check my e-mails and there is one from dad saying he is planning to visit soon, but what catches my attention is the one from Greg.

There is no subject, which makes my heart beat fast. I pass the mouse over it but decide not to open it, at least for now. I'm in a good mood and I have no idea what he might have to say. I close my laptop and send a text to Lucas instead.

Me: Good Morning, neighbor!

Lucas: Morning! See? I knew you could be polite if you wanted to. ;)

Me: haha So, I was wondering... where does Nate study?

Lucas: St. Clement School. Why? Is it the same school you'll be teaching?

Me: :D Yeah. Maybe he will show me around since his dad ditched my attempts to get out of this building twice. ;)

Lucas: Is that so?

Me: Well, I was going to ask you the night I knocked on your apartment, but you were kinda busy.

Lucas: I knew it!!!! But seriously, Nate liked you. I think he is going to be happy you'll be a teacher at his school.

Me: He is a great kid. You seem to be doing a superb job.

Lucas: Thanks :)

Me: Anyways, just wanted to know where he studies. I have a meeting with the school staff soon. Talk to you guys later.

Lucas: Okay. Have a nice day. Nate says hi.

Me: Thanks. Tell him I said hi and that I'm planning on spending more time with him soon if his father allows.

Lucas: He will. ;)

Nate is a great kid. Okay, I love kids, so it's hard for me not to like to be around them. But I can't imagine how hard it is for Lucas to be doing this on his own and I understand why he is afraid to date someone. Kids can get attached and confused fast.

*****

I'm so excited to start my new job that I get to the school fifteen minutes earlier. I make my way to the reception area, and after some time I'm led to a meeting room by Bertha, one of the secretaries.

All my hiring process was online and through video conferences, so I'm glad she showed me around. I thought I was the first one to arrive, so I'm surprised when I see two more teachers already there.

"Hello, my dears, this is Alexia Grey, the new first-grade teacher. She will replace Mrs. Johnson, who, as we know, has just retired. Ms. Grey, these are John Moore and Sophie Thompson. I'll let you guys know each other better before the meeting starts," she says before leaving the room.

Turning my attention to the teachers, I can't help but notice how attractive they are. John is tall and lean and has amazing green eyes. Sophie is petite and her blond curly hair gives her a sweet face. They are probably a few years older than me and both seem friendly.

I offer my hand to Sophie first. "Nice to meet you both! Have you worked here for a long time?"

"The pleasure is ours, we don't have many teachers our age here." She smiles, and I'm instantly comfortable around her. I turn to John and smile.

"Nice to meet you too, Alexia," he says while holding my hand.

"Are you excited to start the new school year?" she asks while I sit down.

"Very! I've actually just moved here, so I was already bored at home doing nothing all day," I say.

"Do you have any friends here? John, my best friend Louise and I are going to have lunch together after we are done here and you are more than welcome to join us." Sophia smiles and she sounds so sincere I'm glad to accept her invitation.

"That would be nice! Are you sure I won't be intruding?" I feel I have to ask.

"Not at all." She says.

"Yeah, we'd love to." John smiles, and it looks like I've just made some new friends.

_____

A/N: So glad you guys keep turning the pages! ❤️

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- Celeste