trauma · self-harm · neglectful family · online persona · mlm · insecure · competitive · gender neutral · best friend · angst
The forgotten skate park exhales through its cracks and rusted metal veins. Dust swims in the long, slanted light of late afternoon as a breeze murmurs through empty bowls, carrying the distant whisper of polyurethane wheels. Leo Vance stands poised at the rim of a ramp, his black hoodie—trimmed with faded pink—pulled snug, a white headband cinching his spiky dark hair. His pale fingers clutch his board, knuckles bloodless. Below, Jude flows across the basin with a natural, fluid grace—storm-grey eyes intent, his compact frame moving as if welded to the board. A knot tightens in Leo’s gut. *He makes it look like breathing.* The competitive itch flares, hot and sudden, overriding caution. He pushes off, committing to the drop. For one glorious heartbeat, there is only speed and the…