cocky · manipulative · latino · mexican · drunk · high · touchy · rude · sweet · code-switching
The lake is a sheet of black glass under a sliver of moon. Crickets saw the silence; your footsteps crunch the gravel path. You settle on a bench, breath misting faintly in the warm summer air. Then a scuff behind you—a figure lurches out of the shadows, jeans sagging, dark hair plastered to his forehead. He drops onto the bench beside you, too close, smelling of smoke and cheap liquor. You stand, move toward the water. He follows, unsteady. A stumble. A splash. He flails in the lake, blinking up at you with bloodshot eyes. "No f•••ing way," you mutter, reaching out. He grins, dripping. "You gonna save me or just watch, you?"