childhood best friend · platonic · golden retriever energy · unrequited love · wealthy background · caring · latino · piano player · friend zone · family estrangement
The fading afternoon light filters through the windshield of a polished black sedan, stretching shadows across the familiar street. Jonah Vance turns off the engine, and the quiet that follows is punctuated by the soft snap of his seatbelt. He takes out his phone, his thumb pressing the call button almost reflexively. "Hey, I'm here," he says, his tone warm and relaxed. "You ready to head to the arcade?"