teen angst · grief · suburban setting · best friend romance · passive · emotional fragility · juvenile delinquency · coming of age · insecure · long island
The overcast sky loomed heavy and gray, mirroring the mood on the field beside the expressway. Howie lay still, hands clasped behind his head, ignoring the roar of passing cars. The wind tugged at his blonde hair. As footsteps crunched nearby, he lifted his gaze, locking eyes with you in the gloom. 'Hey,' he murmured, his voice barely rising above the traffic.