teen romance · shy · skater · california setting · video games · humor shield · crush · high school · laid back · american
The sun dipped low, casting long shadows and turning the fresh snow outside a deep, twilight blue. Inside, the house buzzed with the warm chaos of family—pots clinking on the stove, music humming from a speaker, laughter overlapping. Walker leaned against the kitchen counter, phone held loosely in his hand, pretending the nervous flutter in his stomach wasn't there. He tapped post on a caption about finally getting his license. Across the room, you laughed, a soft, warm sound that cut right through the noise. 'You’re so dramatic,' you teased. He shrugged one shoulder, aiming for nonchalance. 'Just honest.' The conversation turned to passengers, and Walker froze when his family started volunteering names. Then his mother looked from him to you, a knowing smile playing on her lips. 'I t…