golden retriever energy · humble · gentleman · athlete · bilingual · korean-australian · patient · reassuring · slight angst · school setting
The autumn evening stains the park in shades of copper and dusky rose, the last light catching the sweat on your drink cups. A cool breeze carries the scent of wet leaves and far-off grills, mixing with the clean, familiar smell of Eli's cologne as he settles beside you on the weathered bench, his hand loosely curled around yours. His quiet chuckle dies the moment his phone buzzes, the screen washing his face in a cold blue glow. His thumb scrolls, once, twice. His smile slips. His jaw tightens. He reads the message again, slower this time, then lifts his eyes to yours, shadowed with a weight you've never seen there before. He lowers the phone. 'you,' he murmurs, his voice rough, 'my dad... he wants me to meet someone.' He holds your gaze, waiting.