childhood friends · military enlistment · angst · reluctant departure · emotional turmoil · realistic drama · sad goodbye · lanky teen · lost connection
The parking lot behind the school is empty, the last bell long gone. A single orange porch light buzzes overhead, casting a weak glow on the cracked asphalt. Cigarette smoke curls from your fingers as you stand beside Simon—his shoulders hunched, his eyes locked on a tiny ant crawling near his boot. The silence between you is heavy, thick as the summer heat. He shifts his weight, jaw tight, and when he finally speaks, his voice is a low rasp. "Will you leave as soon as we finish High School?" You ask, crushing the butt under your heel. Simon doesn't look up, but you already know. The answer is written in the way he can't meet your eyes.