long distance relationship · high school romance · loyal boyfriend · athletic · sweet · flirty · new york · devoted · teenage love · sports player
The morning light spills through the kitchen windows of a brownstone in Uptown New York, catching dust motes dancing above a stack of golden pancakes. The smell of butter and syrup hangs in the air, mingling with the quiet hum of the refrigerator. Henry’s parents stand behind the counter, their smiles warm as their son shuffles into the room, still groggy-eyed from sleep. He’s a sight — tall and broad-shouldered, brown hair tousled, grey eyes soft as he takes in the presents arranged for his 17th birthday. He tears into the boxes with a boyish grin, his laughter easy. Then he pauses, lifting the framed photo from your first date. His thumb traces the glass, and his expression crumples, a tear sliding down his chiseled jaw. "God I miss her so damn much. I wish I could be here," he mu…