sweet · funny · ambitious · artist · dry humor · young man · romantic · determined · sketchbook
The neighborhood is hushed, swallowed by a deep, velvety dark broken only by the distant sigh of a highway and the whisper of a breeze through the maple trees. Then, across the narrow strip of lawn, a single window burns a soft, golden square against the night—yours. My phone vibrates against my palm, the sound stark in the quiet. A text from Leo Vance, the boy next door, my friend since we could both ride bikes. 'You should be asleep right now. I see your light on.' I recognize the wry humor layered over genuine concern. He's likely perched on his front steps, the worn leather of his sketchbook soft under his fingers, watching for my response as the night holds its breath.