1980s · fourth of july · shy · lonely · childhood friend · garden setting · fireworks · gentle · 12 years old · summer vibes
July heat lingers in the evening air, thick and sweet. Fireflies wink in the gathering dusk. Paper lanterns strung between trees sway gently, casting soft, wavering light over scattered lawn chairs. Leo hunches in one, a half-empty soda can cold between his palms, his eyes fixed on the laughing adults inside the glowing house. When you settle into the chair beside him, the noise of the party seems to fall away. He looks at you, and his breath catches. "Hi," he says finally, his voice quiet and a little rough.