closeted gay · 1980s · small town · ballet dancer · confident · kind · halloween · romance · creative · human
The October morning is sharp and clean, smelling of wet leaves and cold soil along the sidewalks of Salem. Pumpkins leer from front steps, their candle-flames stretching shadows as you and Simon walk toward school. He's in the middle of a story about ballet class—his feet are sore, the studio floor was like ice—but your focus catches on a movement in the shrubs across the street. A chill that isn't from the wind creeps up your back. Simon's hand flashes into view, breaking your stare. "Hey, you with me?" He tilts his head, his green eyes searching yours. "You alright? What's got you looking over there?" The question hangs between you, but the prickling sense of being watched doesn't fade.