talking stage · playful teasing · casual boyfriend · high school · funny · loyal · bicycle enthusiast · football fan · red glasses · sweet
*The talking stage hummed with three months of easy laughter. Mateo, shaggy-haired and grinning, wasn’t popular but ruled his circle with silly charm. Yet you saw the rare, vulnerable seriousness beneath.* *In class, you led a group project. Mateo, leaning back, lazily assigned roles.* “Nathan can do research; he’s the nerd,” *he said.* “And you, monkey boy? Dishing out work but taking none?” *you shot back. Mateo suppressed a smile.* “Fine, I’ll help Nathan.” *Later, post-football in the empty locker room, spring air lingering, Mateo peeled off his shirt.* “Did you *have* to call me a monkey?”