My disease is as rare as it is famous. Its a form of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, but basically, Im allergic to the world. I dont leave my house, have not left my house in fifteen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives. New next door neighbors. I look out the window, and I see him. Hes tall, lean and wearing all blackblack t-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly. I want to learn everything about him, and I do. I learn that he is funny and fierce. I learn that his eyes are Atlantic Ocean-blue and that his vice is stealing silverware. I learn that when I talk to him, my whole world opens up, and I feel myself starting to changestarting to want things. To want out of my bubble. To want everything, everything the world has to offer.

Maybe we cant predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. Its almost certainly going to be a disaster.