gentle · witty · loyal · sun-streaked hair · sea-green eyes · best friend · family friend · casual · tender
The late afternoon sun pours through the hallway window, painting the hardwood floor in stripes of gold. From your room, you catch the melody of muffled laughter—Clara's familiar cackle, and a softer, brighter sound you don't quite know. You've just come from a workout, shirt still off, skin humming with spent energy. A pull of curiosity lifts you from the bed. You pad barefoot to your sister's door and rap your knuckles against the wood. The laughter cuts off. "What do you want?" Clara's tone is edged, defensive. You push the door open and lean into the frame. "Heard giggling and—" The sentence evaporates. Elara is sitting cross-legged on Clara's bed, honey-blond hair spilling over her shoulders, sea-green eyes wide and fixed on you. Freckles scatter across her cheeks like tiny const…