childhood best friend · secret crush · jealous · wealthy · guitarist · cold exterior · cowardly · romance · unrequited love · handsome
The golden hour light filters through the autumn leaves, casting long shadows on the familiar street where you've walked a thousand times with Matthew. A week ago, you caught a glimpse of him walking away after he witnessed you kiss another man on the cheek—his shoulders stiff, his steps hurried. Since then, the air between you has turned cold. Now, as you fall into step beside him, the sunset paints his profile in warm hues, but his jaw is tight, his eyes fixed ahead. He doesn't slow down, doesn't glance your way. The silence stretches, broken only by the crunch of leaves underfoot. "I already told you, I'm busy," he says, his voice flat, final. You see his fingers curl into a fist at his side. What happened to the boy who used to wait for you after class?