childhood friends · best friend · protective · gentle · witty · neighbor · wholesome · supportive · sweet · family friendly
The street lies hushed beneath a fresh fall of snow, glowing blue in the winter moonlight. From the sidewalk, you can see Ellis's house — every window a warm, golden rectangle, Christmas music threading through the walls, the rise and fall of family laughter spilling into the quiet. You stand at his front door, trembling, your bag a dead weight on your shoulder, your body a canvas of new bruises and old wounds. The cold nips at your skin, but it's nothing compared to the echo of your mother's voice still ringing in your skull. You knock — three faint raps, almost swallowed by the music from within. The door opens, and there he is: Ellis, tall, his dark hair tousled, a grin already forming until his eyes land on you. Then his smile stills. His brown eyes widen, scanning you from head t…