When it came time to commit to a college, I rejected a full-ride offer from MIT and chose Harvard. The reason? My online crush goes there. Or so I thought. After I locked in my deposit, my crush texted me: "That’s crazy, a girl with a perfect 1600 SAT score just turned down an offer from our department." 1600? What a coincidence, that’s my exact score. I was just about to text back a consolation message when he added: "If it were you, you would have kept our promise and come to MIT, right?" ??? MIT?! Wait... I thought he was at Harvard?! 1 Junior year was a disaster. I hit a wall in AP Physics C. My grades were stuck in the low B range, which was basically a death sentence for the Ivy League dreams I harbored. In a fit of anxiety, I was doom-scrolling TikTok when I found an account called [PhysicsPhreak]. This guy speed-ran the entire AP Physics exam in 60 minutes and scored a perfect 5 without even checking his work. I was shook. I binged every video on his profile and smashed that follow button. For the next two months, I liked every post and left a comment: “Understood. Thanks, OP! ?” I loved the way PhysicsPhreak explained things. He made the most dry, complex concepts sound fascinating. One day, I left a specific comment: "Hey OP, can you break down Maxwell’s Equations? I’m dying here." I didn’t expect a reply. The next day, he posted a new video. The topic? Exactly what I asked for. As usual, it was just a GoPro angle of his hands and his voice—calm, deep, and methodical. He even pinned a comment: "If anyone has questions, drop them below. I’ll reply when I see them." Was he talking to me? What a saint. Under his tutelage, I finally aced that unit. 2 That interaction broke the ice. We moved from comments to DMs. Whenever I got stuck, I’d message him. By the next video, he’d have an explanation woven into his content. I spent my breaks watching his videos—it was my only form of relaxation that also felt productive. By the time midterms rolled around, I scored a 98 on my Physics final. I excitedly DM’d him: "OP! I got a 98!" "Not bad. Keep it up." Initially, I was just happy he saw it. But then I realized... he replied! I was buzzing with adrenaline. My grades skyrocketed across the board. Even my teachers were stunned. My desk mate, Zoe, looked at my test paper like it was an alien artifact. "Did you get a brain transplant? Spit it out! Did you hire a private tutor?" "No, just found someone online to answer a few questions." "Who? Wait... are you e-dating?" She gasped. I shook my head frantically. "No, no!" We weren’t there yet. At most... it was a crush? I’m a sucker for intelligence. PhysicsPhreak was a genius; it was normal to admire him. I just wished I knew which university he attended. Maybe one day, we could meet up and compare notes in person. 3 Of course, that was just a fantasy. Our interaction was strictly limited to the internet. Until one day, I was logged into League of Legends. "Little N?" Who’s poking me? I squinted at the avatar. My eyes went wide. "PhysicsPhreak?!" [PhysicsPhreak]: "...I'm not a teacher, you can just call me by my handle." I sent a panicked sticker. I didn't realize this game had a "friends from other platforms" sync feature. He asked why I was gaming. "It's a holiday," I typed. He didn't reply immediately. I mustered up the courage to send another message. "Phreak, you haven't been posting videos lately." [PhysicsPhreak]: "Been busy." Oh... The chat went silent. Just as I thought he didn't want to talk to me, he initiated a new topic. "How's your physics coming along?" Me: "Great. Got a 96 on the last mock." [PhysicsPhreak]: "What grade are you in?" Me: "Senior year is coming up." "Mm. College apps soon then." Well... not that soon. [PhysicsPhreak]: "If you have questions in the future, just ask." I was flattered. I sent three grateful emojis in a row. Even after logging off, I felt lightheaded. I was chatting with my idol! And he followed me back! I just forgot to ask which university he went to. Whatever, there’s always next time. 4 The opportunity came sooner than expected. During a long weekend, I hopped back on League. "Little N?" Phreak again? Fate is crazy. He sent a message: "Since you're here, want me to give you two physics problems to solve for fun?" [...] Me: [Please spare me. I’m trying to relax.] He paused for a second. "Just kidding. Duo queue?" [Let's go.] And just like that, I was in a party with PhysicsPhreak. He turned on his mic and introduced me to the lobby. "This is Little N. A friend I met recently. She's still in high school, so take care of her." "For sure! Hey, Little N, what role do you play?" Another guy with the handle [EinsteinFanboy] chimed in. "ADC." And so, I played my first game with him. Turns out, Phreak wasn't just a god at physics; he was a god at League too. He carried me so hard I felt weightless. "You're amazing!" "Alright, that's it for today," Phreak typed. [EinsteinFanboy]: "Bro, why are you dipping so early? One more round!" [PhysicsPhreak]: "The kid needs to sleep. She's growing. Needs to study." "Oh, right, forgot haha. Little N, study hard. Come to our school when you graduate!" EinsteinFanboy said over voice chat. I caught the key info immediately. Our school? Phreak is still a student?! "Wait, you guys are students too? Which uni?" [PhysicsPhreak]: "Just a regular one." Regular? I didn't buy it. Sure enough, [EinsteinFanboy] lost it. "Bro! You're at the top university in the country, quit the humble-bragging! Get out, get out!" Then they both logged off. I didn't get the specific name, but I could guess. The top universities in the US. It's either Harvard or MIT. Phreak is a physics god. My brain, in its infinite wisdom, decided: Harvard. It has to be Harvard. Everyone knows Harvard is the best overall, right? Fine. I’m going to Harvard. 5 With a target locked in, I grinded harder than ever. By the time senior year started, my scores were consistently in the Ivy League range. Before the semester began, I messaged Phreak. I told him I’d be offline for a while to focus on applications, so I wouldn't be able to like his videos instantly, but I’d catch up later. "No worries. I only post occasionally anyway. If you're stuck, you can still ask. Good luck." "Mm! I will! I'm going to get into the same school as you!" "You know which school I'm at?" "Of course." "EinsteinFanboy told you?" Eh, sort of. Since we started gaming together, EinsteinFanboy—who had zero filter—added me to their group chat. I not only confirmed Phreak was at a "Cambridge, MA school," but I also gathered intel that Phreak was single. If I got into Harvard, I’d have a shot. Just the thought made me giddy. "Okay. Good luck. I'll wait for you." With that encouragement, I was unstoppable. Hard work paid off. When SAT scores dropped... 1600. Perfect score. My guidance counselor called me, screaming. I was Valedictorian material. Recruiters from both Harvard and MIT were already blowing up my email. I excitedly texted Phreak: "Phreak, I did it! I’m in!" He wasn't online. My mom called me downstairs; the recruiters were literally at my house (or requesting Zoom calls immediately). 6 The guidance counselor wasn't lying. The Harvard and MIT reps were fighting over me. "Maya, come to Harvard! We have the legacy!" "MIT! Come to MIT! We have the tech!" Before this, I had already made up my mind. "I want to go to the Physics department... at Harvard." The Harvard rep looked smug. "Wait, wait, hold on," the MIT rep interrupted, refusing to give up. He pulled out an iPad. "Look at this." "Ethan Yan. He’s a senior, also had perfect scores. He’s currently the lead of the MIT Undergraduate Physics Competition Team." "In the last few years of competitions against Harvard, he’s always been..." The MIT rep gave a thumbs up. "...Number one." "If you come to MIT Physics, you'll be working with the best." That impressive? I squinted at the iPad. It showed the team profile. The guy in the center—Ethan Yan. Standard ID photo. Blue background, white shirt. Sharp features, gentle eyes, but with a hint of 'don't touch me' coolness. Before I could get a good look, the Harvard rep blocked my view. "Oh please! Using the 'handsome senior' trap again? Every year with this tactic, aren't you tired?" "Hey, it works!" They started arguing again. Finally, they both looked at me. I stood my ground. "Sorry. I've decided on Harvard." "Can I ask why?" The MIT rep looked crushed. I blushed slightly. "My... online boyfriend is at Harvard." I want to go find him.
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