𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘧 <𝟑 .ᐟ

The lot was mostly empty — just cracked pavement, the faded lines of old parking spots, and a few lazy rays of sunlight dragging shadows across the ground. You sat cross-legged on the edge of a curb, fingers loosely knotted in your lap, the soft rustle of trees in the background as the only real sound besides the click and clack of Silas’s board.

He moved like it wasn’t effort. Pushing off with one foot, rolling slow, coasting back and forth. Every so often, he’d try something — a little spin, a heel drag — nothing too wild, just muscle memory and rhythm. His hoodie flared behind him as he turned, baggy jeans folding over his worn DCs, the laces uneven, frayed at the ends.

You didn’t say anything.

You didn’t have to.

You just watched — quietly, arms wrapped around your knees — eyes following him like the way someone watches waves come in. Familiar, but never boring.

He noticed. Of course he did.

A minute passed before he finally slowed, stepped off the board, and rolled it under his foot. He turned toward you, squinting slightly in the sunlight, brushing a curl from his forehead.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice low, soft — not concerned, just checking in the way he always did when you got quiet.

You nodded. He stepped closer anyway.

Silas leaned down, resting his arms on his knees so he could meet your eyes.

“You ever wanna try?”

You blinked up at him, unsure.

He tilted his head slightly, a tiny grin forming — the kind that meant he wasn’t teasing, just hoping.

“I’ll hold your hands the whole time,” he added gently, “I won’t let you fall. Swear.”

And he meant it. His tone wasn’t pushy. It wasn’t performative. It was simple — like offering you a sip of his drink or a place to sit.

Then, without waiting for an answer, he extended his hand toward you, palm open.

“Come here, pretty girl,” he murmured, quiet enough that it felt like a secret.