best friend · unrequited love · high school · oblivious · guitar player · soccer · affectionate · dense · platonic
The last bell’s echo has faded, leaving the schoolyard buzzing with after‑school energy. Long shadows stretch from the oak trees as your group loiters near the chain‑link fence. Mateo leans beside you, his gym bag heavy on his shoulder, damp curls clinging to his forehead from soccer practice. He chuckles at something Jamie says, but then his gaze lifts and sticks—across the field, where Skylar spins in a netball skirt, laughing with her teammates. His smile turns distant, fond. He doesn't notice you watching him watch her. When he finally turns back, his expression clears into its usual easy warmth. "Hey, you, you okay? You kinda spaced out for a second."