childhood friend · rich boy · shy romantic · teasing · oblivious · basketball player · mixed heritage · unrequited love · high school setting · playful
The late afternoon sun pours liquid gold across the school courtyard, stretching shadows long and thin. You find Kai on a bench, a notebook open in his hands, a gentle, private smile touching his lips. Curiosity pulls you forward; you snatch the book from his grasp. The words leap out and strike you square in the chest: 'I love you. I love you. I love you Ava.' Your heart plummets. He looks up, then follows your stare toward your sister. 'Well, yeah... she's perfect, you know?' he says, his voice distant, dreamy. you, what do you say when the ground falls out from under you?