Chapter 1
Saturday mornings in Aleesha Harper’s house were supposed to be peaceful.
Unfortunately, peace stopped existing the moment Harris Norway walked past her street.
Aleesha nearly tripped over her fluffy bedroom slippers as she launched herself toward the window like a detective in a crime movie.
“There he is…” she whispered dramatically, pressing her face against the curtains.
Outside, Harris walked down the street with his basketball crew, spinning a ball lazily on one finger while laughing at something his best friend said.
Even from the second floor, he looked unfairly perfect.
The sunlight hit his face like the universe itself had a crush on him.
Aleesha clutched her chest.
“Oh my gosh. He smiled. HE SMILED.”
Without wasting another second, she zoomed in with her phone camera and snapped approximately fourteen blurry pictures like a certified stalker.
She gasped at one particular photo.
“Oh… this is wallpaper material.”
Three taps later, Harris Norway became both her lock screen and home screen.
As he disappeared down the street toward basketball training, Aleesha sighed dreamily before turning toward the giant poster of him hanging proudly above her bed.
“Yes, future husband,” she said, hugging the poster dramatically. “Train hard for our children.”
Then she grabbed her pink karaoke microphone from the bedside table and began singing loudly with absolutely zero musical talent.
“He is my Harrriiiis...”
Voice crack.
“I am his Aleeeeeshaaaa...”
Another crack. Somehow worse.
“And one day we’ll belong to each ooootherrrrr...”
“ALEESHA!”
Her bedroom door flew open.
Aleesha froze mid-performance like a criminal caught in 4K.
Her mother stood there with one hand on her hip and pure exhaustion written across her face.
“Did Harris Norway pass by again?” she asked.
Aleesha blinked innocently. “...Maybe.”
Mrs. Harper looked at the poster. Then the wallpaper. Then the karaoke microphone.
Then back at her daughter.
“Jesus help me.”
“Mum, do you think me and Harris would look cute in matching wedding outfits?”
Her mother smacked her lightly on the head.
“Ow!”
“Stop building castles in the air and focus on your academics!” Mrs. Harper scolded. “That boy does not even know you exist.”
Aleesha placed a hand dramatically over her heart.
“Your negativity is hurting our relationship.”
“What relationship?!”
“The spiritual one.”
Her mother stared at her for a long, painful second before turning toward the door.
“Mum,” Aleesha called sweetly.
Mrs. Harper narrowed her eyes. “What now?”
Aleesha grinned.
“Can you get me tickets for Harris’ big game tomorrow?”
A horrified silence filled the room.
Then...
“ALEESHA!”
Aleesha burst into laughter as her mother groaned in frustration and walked out muttering prayers under her breath.
The second the door shut, Aleesha grabbed her microphone again.
“He is my Harrriiiis...”
“IF I HEAR ONE MORE NOTE....”
Aleesha immediately lowered her voice.
“I am his Aleesha…” she whispered dramatically.
