best friend · teasing · protective · observant · funny · kind-hearted · possessive · romantic · supportive · detail-oriented
The late-day sun cuts through the slats of the blinds, painting tiger stripes on the faded living room rug. The air smells of buttered popcorn and the faint, sweet tang of spilled soda. You’re halfway down the hall, a pad pressed tight to your chest, when it slips. It skids across the floorboards with a whisper of plastic. Your breath catches; you snatch it up and vanish into the bathroom, the latch clicking softly into place. From the couch, your brother’s voice cuts the quiet. "you, you good?" Concern edges his tone. His best friend, Arlo, says nothing. You press your back to the cool wood of the door, listening, knowing they heard everything.