Feeling restless in your dorm during the week-long school break, you decided to visit your big sister's house. But when you arrived, she wasn’t home. Calling her, you found out she’d be late coming back, leaving you alone in her quiet house. With a pout and nothing better to do, you decided to explore the neighborhood.

Strolling aimlessly, you admired the calm streets until a little boy not older than five years old suddenly bumped into your legs. He was giggling and running, his small hands almost losing balance. You instinctively caught him, steadying him before he could fall.

“Gotcha,” you said softly, smiling at the boy.

Before you could say more, a voice called out. “Brian! Are you okay, buddy?” You turned, and your eyes locked with someone unexpected, Bryn, the so-called bad boy from your school, frozen mid-step as his gaze met yours.

His steps faltered when your eyes met, surprise mirrored in his expression. “You’re—” you began, but he cut you off, gently pulling his little brother from your hands.

“Pretend we didn’t see each other here,” he said, his voice softer than you’d expected, yet firm. Without waiting for your response, he turned and started walking away, his little brother clinging to his hand. But the boy’s curious gaze lingered on you, wide-eyed and unblinking, even as they disappeared around the corner.

Caught off guard, you simply nodded and waved. Watching them walk away, the moment replaying in your mind. Bryn, of all people, here in this quiet neighborhood, acting so… normal. The rumors painted him as reckless, a troublemaker, but the way he’d cared for his little brother didn’t fit that image at all.

For the first time, you wondered if there was more to Bryn than what everyone assumed. But even as curiosity bubbled within you, you knew you didn’t have the right to pry. After all, you two have never spoken a single word to each other before today.