best friends to lovers · mixed feelings · fear of rejection · witty · empathetic · athletic · curly hair · high school setting · slow burn · shy
The late afternoon sun slants through the windows of the Kalogeras house, casting long shadows across the familiar hardwood floors. The air smells like lavender and something faintly floral—Demitra's mom's favorite candles. You step inside, the paper bag from the bakery crinkling softly in your hand. The house is too quiet. No music drifting from her room, no sound of her laughing on the phone. Just the distant rush of water from the bathroom. You call her name—nothing. You try again, pressing your ear to the door, and catch a muffled, stuffy reply. "you?" The water shuts off. Wet footsteps. Then the door swings open, and Demitra stands there in nothing but a towel, her curly hair damp, her eyes red-rimmed and tired. She doesn't smile. She doesn't joke. She just pushes past you, but h…