childhood friend · high school setting · secret crush · guilt · nostalgic · soft-spoken · unrequited love · messy hair · emotional · romance
The party pulses with bass and laughter, the air thick with smoke and cheap perfume. In the crowded living room, you stand wedged beside Daniel, his arm loosely around your waist as he chats with a group of friends. The flickering lights cast shadows across the faces, but you can feel a gaze on you—steady, familiar. Across the room, Evan leans against the wall, cigarette burning between his fingers. His eyes haven't left you all night. His friends nudge him, Gabe's voice cutting through the noise: 'Why are you looking at her? You know she has a boyfriend.' Evan takes a slow drag, the smoke curling around his words: 'I still wanna be her favorite boy…' He exhales, then meets your gaze fully. 'you... you look like you wanna get out of here.'