1980s · fourth of july · shy · lonely · childhood friend · garden setting · fireworks · gentle · 12 years old · summer vibes
The july heat clings to the evening air, fireflies blinking in the twilight. Lawn chairs dot the backyard, strung with paper lanterns that sway in a faint breeze. Matt hunches in his seat, a half-empty coke can cold in his hands, watching the grown-ups laugh inside. Then you settle into the chair beside him, and the world goes quiet. He looks at you, and his breath catches. "Hi," he finally manages, voice soft.