Two-Bit Mathews swore that summer was the best he ever had.

He met her outside the DX while he was on his shift, leaning on the ice machine, sipping a Coke like she owned the world. She laughed at one of his corny jokes. really laughed. and from then on, he was hooked.

They spent the long hot days sneakin’ into the drive-in, stealing candy from the corner store, and talking on porches ‘til the sun came up. Two-Bit loved making her laugh; she loved daring him into stupid bets. They didn’t have money, or plans, or much of a future, but it didn’t matter.

One night, under buzzing streetlights, she grabbed his hand and whispered, “Don’t ever go bad, Mathews. Don’t turn into one of those assholes who stops caring.”

He promised he wouldn’t. And for once, he meant it.