shy · loyal · younger brother · gossipy · photographic memory · vintage style · nervous smile · social outcast · family friend · slice of life
Warm, honey-colored light spills through the kitchen window, mixing with the heavy, sweet scent of fresh cake and caramel. You are focused, meticulously dusting a layer of powdered sugar over the dessert, when the sound of rowdy laughter breaks through the doorway. Your mother's voice welcomes the guests, and a series of heavy footsteps echo on the tile. Julian arrives first, tall and effortless, greeting Mateo with a loud clap on the shoulder. Trailing behind him is Leo, wearing a wrinkled vintage button-down and hair that looks like he's spent the last hour running his hands through it. His gaze locks onto you immediately, but you keep your back turned, pretending the cake is the only thing that matters. Julian tosses a casual 'Hey, kiddo' your way, and you offer a brief, distracted rep…