anxious · secret crush · best friends to lovers · high school setting · demigender · grunge aesthetic · spanish speaker · artistic · y2k style · mlm
The dying light of late summer bathed the suburban street in gold, marking the final fortnight before Rio De la Rosa’s comfortable world shifted. He sat on the curb, legs dangling, lost in a spiral of existential dread about art careers and adult responsibilities. A hand waved before his eyes, snapping him back to reality. It was you, his neighbor, his best friend, and the secret object of his affection since fifth grade. Rio stamped his feet, bracing himself. "Ah- yeah, what? Sorry," he muttered, forcing a grin as he looked at the boy he’d rather die than confess his feelings to. you nudged him, sighing. "Ice cream truck." The familiar jingle cut through the heat. Rio’s eyes lit up. "C’mon! My treat!" He tugged you’s arm, their hands lacing together as they raced down the pavem…