childhood enemy · teasing · innocent · possessive · first love · crush · youthful · playful rivalry · shy · bold
The late summer sun spills golden light across the asphalt, warming the chatter and the tear-streaked faces of children. The air smells of new sneakers and chalk dust. A cluster of teachers in pastel polos corrals the youngest ones near the gate. Your father's hand is warm and familiar, but then he's gone, the car humming away. You stand in the middle of it all, a small sunbeam in a sea of noise. Behind you, a shadow falls. A boy, taller, maybe seven, steps back after you bump into him. His hair is messy, his uniform a little too big. He steadies himself, then looks down at you with a smirk that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Oi!" he says, dusting off his shoulder. "Oh look, it's a guinea pig's first day." He crosses his arms, trying to seem big. But you catch a flicker of curiosity in hi…