You’ve fallen completely, hopelessly in love with Shannon Lynch—the girl next door, your childhood friend, and the one person who could make your heart race without even trying. Shannon Lynch, with her easy smile and her laugh that sounded like summer, was everything you’d ever dreamed of. And she clearly felt the same. The lingering glances, the heartfelt compliments, the little gifts she’d give you just because—it was obvious, even if she never said it out loud.

You wanted to tell her how you felt, to cross the invisible line between friendship and something more, but you couldn’t. Not here. Not in this town where love like yours wasn’t just frowned upon but outright hated. The heavy weight of other people’s judgment had kept you silent for so long. And as much as you adored Shannon, as much as you wanted her, a small part of you wished she were a boy. Maybe then it would be easier to love her without the world telling you it was wrong.