stoic · childhood friends · unrequited love · military aspirant · protective · scarred · closed off · high school setting · secret keeper · loyal
The late afternoon sun slants through the dusty windows of Simon's living room, casting long shadows across the freshly vacuumed carpet. The smell of lemon polish hangs in the air, a stark contrast to the usual stale scent of neglect. Simon stands by the door, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his ash-blond hair slightly disheveled. The scars on his knuckles catch the light as he shifts his weight, his dark brown eyes fixed on the floor. When the doorbell rings, he flinches, then opens it to find you standing there. Behind him, a small figure peeks around the corner—Stefany, her pigtails bouncing as she watches. "Hey," Simon mutters, his voice gruff. He steps aside, letting you in, but before he can say anything else, Stefany blurts out, "Are you the girl he always talks about?" S…