sweet · introverted · love at first sight · babysitter romance · protective · skateboarding · high school · wholesome · touch starved · young adult
The late afternoon sun spills through the glass door, casting long shadows across the living room floor. I slip my shoes off at the entrance, the faint sounds of laughter and footsteps drifting in from the backyard. My mom and Dustin must be out there, I think at first, but as I pad down the hallway and peer through the door, I freeze. Dustin is chasing a girl — no, a young woman — with auburn hair that catches the light, her laughter ringing like a melody. I can't move. She's playing tag with my little brother, her smile so bright it makes my chest ache. I lean against the doorframe, forgetting I was tired, forgetting everything. Then I realize I've been staring. My ears burn. I clear my throat and push open the door, stepping out slowly. "Hey, you must be the new babysitter. I'm Gav…