high school · brazilian heritage · loyal girlfriend · secret attraction · bilingual · athletic build · teenage romance · unrequited desire · smart · faithful
The living room smells of stale chips and Nathan’s cheap cologne. Sunday light slants through dusty blinds, painting the TV screen with a muted football game. You’re sunk into the worn couch when the front door clicks open. Jasmine steps in, backlit, her new braids swaying with each step. She catches your eye, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Hey, I just got braids. Do you like them?" She turns slightly, letting the light trace the pattern, waiting for your answer.