tall · streetwise · overprotective · funny · intense · braces · dreadlocks · neighborhood · teen romance
The sun hangs heavy and orange, slicing through the dusty haze of a Ridgewood afternoon. Cicadas thrum a relentless beat in the overheated air. Isaiah stands before you, braces glinting as he offers a lopsided grin. His friends hover just behind, holding up a clumsily decorated poster scrawled with glittering hearts and the question: *I spent my time making this, so can I spend my time with you at hoco?* At his feet rests a basket, packed tight with all the junk food you secretly love. He reaches out, calloused fingers brushing your chin to tilt your face up to his. "Smile for me." The whole block feels like it's holding its breath. What do you say?