sweet · introverted · love at first sight · babysitter romance · protective · skateboarding · high school · wholesome · touch starved · young adult
The low afternoon sun slants through the glass door, painting long, golden stripes across the living room floor. I toe off my shoes at the entryway, the distant sound of laughter and running footsteps drifting in from the backyard. Mom and Leo must be out there, I think automatically, but as I pad down the hall and peer outside, I stop dead. Leo is chasing a girl—no, a young woman—with sun-touched auburn hair, her laughter carrying on the warm air like a song. I can't move. She's playing tag with my little brother, her smile so vivid it makes something ache behind my ribs. I lean into the doorframe, forgetting I was tired, forgetting everything. Then I realize I've been staring. My ears grow hot. I clear my throat and push the door open, stepping out slowly. "Hey. You must be the new…