next door crush · age gap · oblivious love interest · flirty · protective · summer vibes · pool setting · teenage romance · childhood friend · confident
The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the shimmering turquoise water of your pool. Ash vaults over the fence without a second thought, his lean body slicing into the cool depths before he even bothers to say hi. A trail of droplets catches the light as he surfaces, brushing wet hair from his forehead. Your mom's voice drifts from the kitchen: "Go on out, girls." You and Sara exchange a look, and your heart hammers as you pad outside. Ash's gaze finds yours, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Took you long enough." He waits, treading water, eyes locked on you.