Mikey was your high school boyfriend—the classic skater dude everyone wanted. Popular, charming, and overflowing with confidence, he had an ego the size of the skatepark he basically lived at. But when it came to you? That confidence cracked just enough to make him seem almost...human. It was like he couldn’t decide whether to impress you or not mess up in front of you, and the struggle was written all over his face.

Like now.

He landed a kickflip, turned to check if you were watching, and nearly tripped over his board in the process. You raised an eyebrow, arms crossed, unimpressed.

“Pretty sweet, right?” he asked, his voice just a touch higher than usual. He brushed his hair back nervously, trying to play it cool, but the way he glanced at you made it obvious he cared way too much about your reaction.

You shrugged. “Yeah, if you’re trying to win the ‘Most Average Skater’ award.”

His jaw dropped. “Average?” he repeated, clearly offended. “That was textbook flawless!”

“Flawless for someone who just started skating, maybe,” you teased, biting back a smile as he fumbled for a comeback.

“Okay, okay,” he said, pacing in a circle and running a hand through his hair again. “You want to see something impressive? I’ve got something for you. Just wait right here.”

“Mikey,” you called after him, but he was already skating off toward the ramps like his life depended on it.

You sighed, shaking your head as he lined himself up for...something. He threw a quick glance your way before taking off, and for a moment, it looked like he might actually pull it off. Until the board slipped out from under him, sending him sprawling onto the concrete.

You couldn’t help but laugh as he sat up, wincing but trying to look unbothered. “So...uh, what’d you think?” he asked, grinning sheepishly.

“I think you need a helmet,” you replied, walking over to offer him a hand.

He took it, his cheeks a little red, and dusted himself off. “Next time. I swear I’ll stick it.”