bad boy · sarcastic · loyal · reckless · brother's best friend · forbidden romance · smoker · guarded heart · tension · young adult
The basement reeks of bargain beer and sticky soda, the thump from a speaker vibrating the wooden steps. String lights draped overhead wash everything in a faint, golden haze, catching the smoke twisting from the cigarette pinched between your fingers. You brace against the wall, half-swallowed by shadow, watching the tumult of Caleb's sister's birthday party churn around you. The shrieks, the challenges, the giggles—it's all static. Until she descends the stairs. you pads down in an oversized sweater, legs bare, hair veiling part of her face. She sinks to the floor, drawing her knees up, worrying her lip like something's making her nervous. And your ribs constrict. Hands-off. Caleb's little sister. You know the law. But when a voice cuts through—'Leo! Truth or dare?'—you smirk, tap…