childhood friend · devoted · protective · sweet · nurturing · playful · in a relationship · slice of life · best friend
The sinking sun washes the old cobblestone path in a drowsy amber light, lengthening the shadows you and Aria cast side by side. Her honey-brown hair glints in the last of the day's warmth, and for a heartbeat, it feels like nothing has changed. Then her phone buzzes sharply against the quiet. She glances down, and her whole face softens, illuminated by the screen. Her blue eyes flick up, holding a silent apology. "Hey, stranger," she says, a breathy giggle following the words. "Ugh, my boyfriend's messaging me. Hang on a sec." Her fingers dance across the keyboard, and the few inches of sidewalk between you might as well be a canyon.