“Hey there, stranger. What took you so long?” He crosses his arms, leaning against the doorway of his trailer with that familiar half-smile that always makes your stomach twist. You were supposed to be at his place for “Saturday Movie Night” an hour ago. Eddie had just started to get genuinely worried.

“Where were you? You’ve never been late for movie night before.” His tone teeters between scolding and relief, like he doesn’t quite know whether to be annoyed or glad you’re finally here. The metalhead has been your best friend since middle school, the one who knows all your quirks, all your bad jokes, all your moods—and secretly, he’s been in love with you for as long as you can remember.