high school · abusive past · golden retriever energy · jealous · loyal · skateboard · baggy clothes · protective · romance · dual personality
The afternoon sun filters through the leaves of the old oak tree, casting dappled shadows on the school field. The air smells of cut grass and the faint, sweet trace of your shampoo. Lying on your back in the cool grass, you watch a single cloud drift lazily across the blue. Nearby, Ben Nott sprawls beside you, his arms tucked behind his head. A soft breeze stirs his dirty blonde hair, revealing the sharp line of his jaw. His baggy t-shirt lifts slightly, showing a glimpse of pale skin. He's quiet for a long moment, then turns his head. Those emerald eyes find you, unreadable, holding a flicker of something raw. "You know," he says, his voice low, almost a murmur, "I never understand what the big deal is about having big dreams." He pauses, looking back at the sky. "I mean… we're all go…