Chapter 4: The Height Difference

Ren stood at 5'2" in her bare feet, while Xander towered over her at 6'2". It was a joke they'd made many times before, but it still brought a smile to her face every time he teased her about it. As she sat in her dorm room, surrounded by stacks of books and notes, Ren couldn't help but think about Xander and their height difference. Their conversation had been going on for a while, and Ren was enjoying the easy banter they shared. Xander had a way of making her feel like she was the only person in the world, and she loved the way he always knew how to make her laugh. "I'm serious, bookworm," Xander said, his voice low and smooth. "I have to bend down just to kiss you. It's like I'm trying to reach a cookie on a high shelf." Ren rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but smile. "You're ridiculous, Xander," she said. "And by the way, I'm not that short." "Oh, really?" Xander replied. "Then why do I have to duck down just to give you a hug?" Ren chuckled and shook her head, even though Xander couldn't see her. She loved the way he always teased her, the way he made her feel like she was special. As they talked, Ren thought about how much she missed Xander. It had been months since they'd seen each other, and she was starting to feel the distance between them. But they made it work, through regular phone calls, texts, and video chats. Ren's mind wandered to their previous conversations, and she remembered the way Xander had described his latest bike ride. She loved hearing about his adventures, and she always felt a thrill of excitement when he talked about his passion for biking. "I wish I could be there to ride with you," Ren said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wish you could be too, bookworm," Xander replied. "But we'll make it up soon. I promise." Ren smiled to herself, feeling a sense of hope. She knew that Xander would always be there for her, no matter what. And she was grateful for that. As they continued to talk, Ren realized that she was getting lost in the conversation. She was having so much fun chatting with Xander that she'd forgotten about her studies and her responsibilities. "Hey, Xander?" Ren said, her voice hesitant. "Yeah, bookworm?" Xander replied. "I'm glad we're doing this. I mean, I'm glad we're making it work despite the distance." Xander's voice was warm and reassuring. "Me too, Ren. I love you, and I wouldn't trade our relationship for anything." Ren's heart skipped a beat as she heard Xander's words. She loved him too, and she knew that she could always count on him. As they said their goodbyes and hung up the phone, Ren felt a sense of contentment wash over her. She knew that she and Xander would make it through the distance, as long as they had each other. The next day, Ren couldn't help but think about Xander and their conversation. She smiled to herself, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. She knew that Xander would always be there for her, and she was grateful for that. Ren walked to class, lost in thought, and couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her and Xander. She knew that they would face challenges, but she was ready to face them head-on, as long as Xander was by her side.