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The sun was low in the sky, casting that golden kind of light that made everything feel warmer than it actually was. I was standing in an empty parking lot just a few blocks from school, trying to balance on a board that had zero business being under my feet. Sean stood nearby, holding his own skateboard like a seasoned pro, laughing way too hard every time I wobbled like I was about to meet the pavement face first.
"You're stiff, bro," Sean chuckled, walking over and nudging my shoulder. "Loosen up before that board flips you."
"I am loose," I argued, waving my arms around dramatically. "This is just part of the process."
He rolled his eyes. "You look so unstable."
Despite the trash talk, he was actually being patient with me by holding the board steady as I stepped on again and explaining how to shift my weight properly. We did this for a while, my feet slowly getting more confident. The air was crisp, and every now and then a breeze would mess up my hair, but it felt good to be outside, just goofing off. I enjoy this.
"You been alright though?" Sean asked after a bit, casually sitting down on the curb and motioning for me to take a break. "You looked a little stressed at school the past few days."
I shrugged, wiping my hands on my jeans.
"Family stuff. Work stuff. Just a lot, you know?"
Sean nodded like he got it. "Yeah, I feel that."
We were quiet for a second, just watching a car drive past. Then he glanced over at me with a half smirk. "So...who's the guy?"
My eyebrows raised. "What guy?"
"Don't do that," he laughed. "I saw you last week after school. You were with that dude who's tall, locs, tattoos. He looked like he just stepped out of a fashion catalog."
I tried not to smile too hard. "That's Trayvon."
Sean gave me a look like he already knew that name but didn't wanna say it first. "And you two are...?"
"Yeah," I said, my voice dropping a little with the confession. "We've been talking for a while now."
Sean grinned like he'd just won a bet. "Knew it. I knew something was up. I didn't wanna ask though. Figured it wasn't my place."
"I appreciate that," I said, laughing softly. "It's still kinda new. Complicated, too."
"How complicated?"
I hesitated. "He's older. My parents found out, and let's just say they weren't exactly throwing confetti."
Sean winced. "Damn. That's rough. But hey, you seem good."
I nodded slowly. "He gets me. It's weird, I've never really had someone who just sees me."
Sean leaned back, looking up at the sky. "That's dope, bro. Honestly. But damn, now I gotta tell my friend you're off the market."
