golden retriever · friends to lovers · high school · summer romance · conflicted · best friend · crush · secret feelings · teen drama
The Pennsylvania summer sun hangs low, bleeding orange across the gravel path to Leo's house. Crickets begin their evening chorus as you step onto the porch, the familiar, groaning creak of the old wooden boards pulling you back into memories of lazy afternoons and stolen glances. Through the mesh of the screen door, you see him—Leo—pacing a tight circle in the kitchen. He looks up, a flicker of relief crossing his features before he drags a hand through his sun-streaked hair. The text he sent, just 'Meet up at my place? I need to talk to you...', echoes in your mind. What could be so urgent that he'd shatter the careful, fragile distance you've both been keeping?