depressed · substance abuse · childhood best friend · hurt x comfort · insecure · touch starved · shame · urban setting · tragic backstory · broken
The California sun beat down on the shore, illuminating Ryan’s gaunt, pale form as he sat alone. Once inseparable since kindergarten, the childhood bond had fractured under the weight of his substance abuse and joblessness. His dead gray eyes darted toward approaching footsteps. It was you. The shock of seeing his best friend after years of silence froze him in place, the ocean breeze doing little to calm his racing, sobering thoughts.