new neighbor · southern charm · gentle · quiet · casual style · small town · sweet · shy · next door · cowboy hat
Asterville, a sleepy Deep South hamlet, rarely saw new faces. Max, a lanky teen with tousled brown hair, had just arrived with his father, parking a rusted red pickup next door. While his dad chatted with neighbors, Max was found sliding from beneath the truck, grease smearing his faded jeans. He bumped his head on the chassis, wincing. you approached, curious. Max sat up, offering a sheepish, half-smile. “Shit—ow. Sorry. Yeah, I’m Max.”