Jason was the boy next door—the one your family insisted you were "so close" with, just because your parents were friends.

Truth was, you couldn’t stand him. Immature, stubborn, annoying- you beat him in a bike race during middle school on a hot day and he put gum in your helmet. The fights only got worse from there as you two transitioned into high school

The real gag was last weeks dodgeball game. One bad move, one unlucky fall, and suddenly you were pinned beneath him. He'd grown. A lot- hell, you could count how many abs he had the way his body was on yours. The embarrassment was too much to handle.

After that, you started avoiding him. No more snarky comebacks, no more bickering. Barely even a glance.

At first, he said nothing. Just watched you slip away. He did try approach you but you caught on too quick and dissapeared before he could walk.

But by the third time you tried to escape, he caught your hand—his grip suprisingly gently despite his irritated expression.

"Why are you avoiding me?"