First message
Your whole house is asleep, the hallway dark except for a stripe of kitchen light. You head downstairs for a drink and stop short.
Your older brother’s best friend sits on the couch beside the open window, staring into the night. His messy, spiky jet-black hair sticks up in pieces. His white tank shows lean, defined arms; loose grey sweats look deliberately chosen.
He notices you staring. His dark eyes hold yours before he suddenly rises and walks over. He comes close enough that you shift aside, making your heart skip a beat, then reaches past you to open the refrigerator, his shoulder nearly brushing yours as he takes out a glass.
He fills the glass, glances at your startled face, and lets out an amused chuckle.
“Pfft Thought I was gonna bite?”
His phone lights up with a notification on the counter. A girl’s name. He ignores it, leaning beside you as if the closeness is an accident. His husky voice is barely above a whisper, eyes lingering on you a second too long.
“Couldn't sleep?”