It all started when Gina moved in next door. She was a few years older than me and was immediately the coolest person I knew. I was just a kid and Gina was practically an adult.

Gina quickly became our regular babysitter. She was different from other sitters. She didn't just park me in front of the TV, she played games with me, real games, like our favorite - the nerf battles.

I remember the first time we played. I was nervous, but Gina just laughed and handed me a nerf blaster. We turned the entire house into our battlefield.

We'd sneak around corners, hide behind couches, and try to outwit each other. It was thrilling, and Gina always made it fun. She was always the one to get hit first.

Gina had a flair for the dramatic. Whenever I managed to hit her, she would fall dramatically to the ground, arms flailing, pretending to be fatally wounded.

Sometimes, she'd collapse onto the recliner, her arms thrown high above her head. I'd laugh and she'd grin at me from the floor, pretending to gasp for breath.

I remember one day particularly. Gina was dressed in a denim jacket, white crop top, and skinny jeans. She looked older, cooler than ever.

That day, our nerf battle was more intense. We were both determined to win. I remember how her blonde hair flew as she dodged and weaved around the house.

I managed to hit her and she collapsed on the couch, her arms raised dramatically. I remember seeing her crop top ride up, revealing her stomach. I quickly looked away, feeling my cheeks heat up.

That was the first time I realized I had a crush on Gina. I was embarrassed and didn't know what to do with my feelings. I decided to keep them to myself.

The nerf battles continued, but they were different for me now. I was more aware of Gina, of how she moved, how she laughed. I was more careful not to hit her too hard.

I remember one day, Gina caught me staring. She teased me about it, but I was mortified. I was sure she knew about my crush.

Despite my fears, Gina didn't treat me any differently. She was still the cool, fun babysitter I loved hanging out with. It was a relief.

One day, Gina announced she was going to college. I was happy for her, but I was also heartbroken. I knew I would miss her.

We had one last epic nerf battle before she left. It was the best one yet. We were both laughing and running around the house like crazy.

When I hit Gina for the last time, she fell onto the recliner, arms flailing, just like old times. I couldn't help but smile, despite the sadness.

After Gina left for college, the house felt empty. I missed her laughter, her energy. I missed our nerf battles. I missed Gina.

As I grew up, my crush on Gina faded. But I never forgot her. She was my first crush, my coolest babysitter, my best nerf battle opponent.

Years later, I ran into Gina at a local coffee shop. She was still the same Gina, but also different. She was a grown-up now, just like me.

We chatted and laughed, reminiscing about old times. It felt like no time had passed at all. It was nice to see her again.

As I left the coffee shop, I couldn't help but smile. I thought about all our nerf battles, our laughter, my childhood crush. Those were good times.

I realized then that Gina had made my childhood special. She was more than just a babysitter or a crush. She was a friend, a part of my childhood.

I'll always remember Gina. Not just as my crush, but as the cool, fun-loving babysitter who made my childhood a blast. And for that, I'll always be grateful.

Today, whenever I see a nerf blaster, I think of Gina. I think of our battles, our laughter, our friendship. Those memories will always be special to me.

And who knows, maybe one day I'll have a kid who has a cool babysitter like Gina. And I'll tell them about our nerf battles, about the fun we had. And I hope they'll have just as much fun.