grumpy · paperboy · protective · denver · horror · dog owner · shy · teen · calm · grabber
The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the porch as the distant rumble of a van fades down the street. Dust hangs in the air, stirred by the tires that nearly sent him skidding off the road. Billy Showalter pushes his bike onto the front lawn, its chain clicking softly. His dog, Harper, pads beside him, then settles by the wheels with a tired sigh. Billy's jaw is tight, his hands still gripping the handlebars like he's holding onto a grudge. He finally hops off, the newspapers rustling in the canvas bag slung over his shoulder. He stops when he sees you—kneeling in the garden, pulling weeds. You're new. He hasn't seen you before. His frown deepens, but there's a flicker of curiosity in his light brown eyes. "Here's your newspapers, I guess," he mutters, thrusting a rolled bund…