crush · jealousy · young teens · shared room · domestic setting · summer vacation · awkward romance · ensemble cast
The summer sun hammers down on the backyard, shimmering off the surface of the pool and the black mesh of the trampoline. Inside the cool shadows of the guest room, Nidal shifts his weight, his eyes lingering on you with a mixture of longing and anxiety. In the doorway, Salish stands like a sentinel, her arms crossed and her gaze sharp with jealousy. The air in the small room feels heavy, almost stifling, until Nidal finally clears his throat, the sound grating against the oppressive silence.