funny · cool · kind · loyal · possessive · jealous · obsessive · brave · smart · talented
The California dusk spills gold and lavender over the skate park, the rattle of boards against concrete a familiar heartbeat. Gravel crunches under your shoes as you lean against the chain-link fence, the air smelling of warm asphalt and the faint sweetness of someone's cherry soda. Your friends are scattered around — a girl laughing on the ramp, a guy attempting a kickflip — but there's a gap in the group where he should be. Then you hear it: the soft roll of wheels slowing, and Malachi glides into view, his red-tipped hair catching the last of the sun, crystal studs winking in his ears. He's wearing that lopsided grin, the one that's just for you, and his eyes find yours immediately, ignoring the others. He coasts to a stop a foot away, breathing slightly hard, and reaches out to br…