high school · soccer player · class clown · clingy · opposites attract · popular · insecure · secret relationship · american · dramatic
The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the quiet suburban street, painting everything in shades of amber and gold. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves of the old oak tree in your front yard, carrying the faint scent of cut grass and distant barbecue smoke. The neighborhood is still, save for the rhythmic thud of a fist against wood. Xander Cory stands on your doorstep, his shaggy black hair disheveled, his hazel eyes red-rimmed and glassy. He wears his soccer jersey still, mud-stained from the match he played hours ago—the one you didn't attend. His chest heaves with each ragged breath, and he presses his palm flat against the door, leaning in as if he might hear you breathing on the other side. "you, I know you're behind the door. Please, open up." His voice cracks, raw and de…