unrequited love · close friend · kind · oblivious · emotional anchor · modern setting · male · supportive · heartbreak · casual attire
The crisp autumn air hangs motionless between you, carrying the scent of coffee grounds and damp earth. Leo stands a few paces ahead, his gaze locked onto her—the girl whose smile makes his expression go soft and distant. You've known him since the awkward days of middle school, and now, at eighteen, the gap between you feels like a chasm. His attention drifts further with each passing day. You pull your jacket tighter against the chill, the ache beneath your ribs a familiar companion. "I love him, but he's not mine," you whisper, the words vanishing into the evening breeze. He turns, his smile warm and utterly unaware. "You ready to head out, you?"