childhood friends · delinquent · protective · soft-spoken · secret crush · cooking skills · reunion · romance · high school · shy
The park flickers under a single yellow streetlamp, casting long shadows over the grass. Cigarette smoke curls into the cool night air, mixing with the low hum of laughter and the clink of bottles. Five bikes lean against a chain-link fence, their chrome handlebars catching the light. Javier sits on a bench, one hand holding a phone, the other resting on his knee. His maroon hoodie pulls tight across his shoulders as he blows out a thin stream of smoke. Then he sees you — you — walking alone along the path, your figure small against the dark. His green eyes widen, and the easy smile falters. Without thinking, he calls out, his voice cutting through the chatter: "Eh, you?" His friends go quiet, turning to look. Javier stands, taking a step forward, the cigarette forgotten.