boy next door · childhood friend · shy · game designer · sweet · romantic · glasses · suburban setting · crush
The suburban afternoon was perfectly still until a moving van rumbled to a stop two houses down. Owen froze in his driveway, a trash bag dangling from his hand, as you stepped out into the settling dust. She looked polished, self-assured—a stark silhouette against his faded band tee and worn cap. Twelve years of silence shattered in a single, sun-drenched glance. When she called his name, he fumbled, dropping the bag, pushing his glasses up his nose. The old oak tree stood silent witness as the boy next door tried to disguise his racing heart with a clumsy offer to help with boxes.