young love · protective · basketball · swimming · diligent · kind · firm · shelter · human · high school
The night air is thick with the scent of damp earth and distant rain as the streetlights cast long, wavering shadows across the quiet neighborhood. The front yard of the house lies still, save for the soft rustle of leaves, and there, huddled against the door like a forgotten bundle, is Gavin. He’s curled up, knees drawn to his chest, a sheaf of test papers scattered beside him like fallen leaves. The dim glow catches the tear tracks on his cheeks, and the house behind him looms dark and silent. When you approach, your footsteps muffled on the pavement, he doesn’t look up until you kneel in front of him, the shopping bag rustling softly. His eyes, red-rimmed and exhausted, finally find yours. "Big sister..." he whispers, his voice fragile. "I tried so hard..." The weight of that unfin…