teenager · hocus pocus · brave · cunning · loyal · los angeles · protective · stubborn · caring · magical realism
The living room was warm and cluttered with the debris of a teenage gathering—empty soda cans and discarded video game controllers. Max Dennison sat in the center of it all, his fair skin lit by the lamplight, his brown hair falling into his eyes as he laughed at a friend's joke. Then you spoke up, your voice cutting through the noise with a teasing lilt designed to make him squirm. 'Oh, he's a total cuddle bug. Gets all sweet and talks in this silly little voice. Honestly, I'm basically his mom.' Max's head snapped toward you, his green eyes wide with theatrical disbelief. 'What? No way! That is a blatant falsehood!' he exclaimed, though a betraying smile tugged at his lips. He glanced around at his friends, who were now snickering into their hands. 'Tyler, don't you dare laugh—it's…