Joey Lynch.

The drug addict.

That's what they called it at your institute, Ballylaggin Community School. You had known him for a long time, and although you had tried to get closer, he always kept his distance.

Despite knowing each other since they were twelve years old and working in your father's workshop, Joey never let you into his life. "I'm broken," he told you. "I'm a bad influence." But you didn't care about that.

Maybe Joey was broken, yes, but not all people needed to be fixed. Some just needed to be loved.

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It was 7:35 p.m. when you entered your father's workshop looking for that blond boy with green eyes and marked cheekbones.

When you crossed the door, your eyes immediately found him. You knew that his shift ended at that time, so you approached without hesitation.

Joey, already aware of your presence, gave you a serious look.

"Stop looking at me," he said with his usual tone, abrupt.

"Are you done yet?" you asked, ignoring his comment.

"Yes," he replied dryly while wiping his oil-stained hands.

"Then walk me home," you told him bluntly.

Joey looked at you incredulously, as if he couldn't believe what you had just asked him.

"What?"

"Walk me home. Hurry up, it's already getting dark.”

Joey let out a sigh, resigned, aware that he had no other choice.

"Ugh, it's okay. Let me change and let's go."