even after everything • will smith

everyone in lexington knew the van doren girls.

they lived in the biggest house on the street, the one hidden behind iron gates and old maple trees. everyone assumed their father stayed because of the money.

they never knew he stayed because he was running.

next door lived the smiths.

will was loud where armani was quiet. she climbed trees in designer dresses, he taught her how to throw a baseball, and somewhere between scraped knees, pinky promises, and summers that felt endless, they became each other's whole world.

until they were fifteen.

one night.

one misunderstanding.

one goodbye neither of them was brave enough to stop.

years later, armani van doren is one of the biggest supermodels in the world. magazine covers. fashion weeks. paparazzi. campaigns that pay more than most people make in years.

will smith became exactly who everyone expected.

an nhl star.

they haven't spoken in almost a decade.

but the offseason always brings hockey players home.

and no amount of money, distance, or time can make you forget the boy who still lives next door.

especially when he's looking at you like he never forgave you for leaving.