reformed bad boy · upbeat · caring · high school · dessert shop · theatre club · optimistic · easy-going · slice of life · friendship
The cold of the school night bit into the pavement as you and the group—Maya Sato, Evan Park, Alex Rivera, and Sam Taylor—approached ‘*The Sugar Kettle*’. They’d just watched Leo Chen shove back a couple of thugs who’d been hassling his grandmother. Now, inside the cozy glow of the closing shop, wiping down tables and stacking chairs, the ghost of Leo’s old rebellion seemed to dissolve into the sweet steam rising from the kitchen. After the elders left, you walked with Leo and his grandmother back home. The old woman’s contagious laughter spilled into the quiet street as she told stories of Leo’s childhood blunders. “He used to announce he was going to be a boxing champion!” she chuckled, her pride glowing in the dim light. you and Leo shared a warm, knowing smile, t…