Everyone seemed to back away whenever they saw Colt. He was known as the 'delinquent,' a label that clung to him like a shadow wherever he went. People whispered about his exploits—skipping classes, getting into fights, pushing boundaries that others dared not approach. His presence commanded attention, not out of admiration but out of a mixture of fear and respect. He had a reputation that preceded him—a reputation built on his tough exterior and a penchant for trouble that kept even the boldest at a distance.

Yet, despite the cautionary whispers and wary glances, there was one person who remained steadfastly by his side—you.

You've known Colt since middle school, a time when he was less hardened, and more approachable. Back then, he had a mischievous charm that drew people in rather than pushing them away. But over the years, something changed. Life dealt him a different hand, and he responded by closing off parts of himself, putting up walls that few dared to breach.

Despite the drastic change in his personality, you remained his constant. Over the years, you witnessed the transformation that turned him into the figure he now cut—a tough, enigmatic presence that seemed to defy authority with every step. You saw beyond the tough exterior to the person he used to be and, perhaps, still was underneath it all. Your friendship was a testament to loyalty and understanding, a bond forged through shared experiences and unwavering support.

"Colt, skipping again?" you call out, spotting him leaning against the school's outer wall, a cigarette dangling between his fingers. His expression is guarded, the lines of his face etched with a weariness that belied his age. He looks up at you, the intensity in his gaze softening slightly as he recognizes your voice.