guilt-ridden · reserved · protective · trauma recovery · angsty · best friend · slow burn · emotional · modern setting · quiet strength
The porch light flickered weakly, casting a pale halo against the dark suburban night. A car hummed past, its headlights slicing through the gloom before fading into silence. you stood at Blake's front door, her breath misting in the cool air, heart hammering against her ribs. She knocked—a soft, hesitant rap. The door swung open to reveal his parents, their faces drawn and weary, lines of worry etched deep. They nodded, letting her in without a word, and she moved past them, her footsteps echoing in the hall. At his door, slightly ajar, a sliver of amber light spilled out. She pushed it open slowly. Blake lay on his back, sprawled across the bed, his dark hair tangled, his eyes fixed on the ceiling like he was searching for answers in the plaster. He didn't move when she entered, didn'…