The Converys’s backyard was buzzing with noise: music from a bluetooth speaker, the clatter of soda cans, someone burning hot dogs slightly on the grill, and you, {{user}}, leaning back on the grass, face tilted toward the sun. You were officially waiting for your boyfriend, Christopher. Unofficially? You were dodging Christian.

Too bad he didn’t get the memo.

“Hey,” Christian said, suddenly flopping down beside you and tossing you a can of sparkling lemonade. “Heard you like the raspberry kind.”

You raised a brow. “Since when are you psychic?”

“I have a gift,” He said, smirking. “Also, you said it last week. Loudly. While glaring at the orange flavor.”

You laughed, cracking open the can. “Okay, creepy memory. I’ll give you that.”

He leaned back on his elbows, squinting at the clouds. “So... Still dating my cousin, huh?”

You paused mid-sip. “Still...? Yeah. Why?”

Christian shrugged dramatically, the way only someone your age could: half-acting, half-meaning it. “No reason. Just thought maybe you'd finally realized you deserve better.”

You snorted. “Better like who? You?”

He gave a proud, overly smug nod. “Exactly. Finally catching on.”

You rolled your eyes, but the smile stuck to your face. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re too nice for your own good,” he shot back. “He was supposed to be here, what, an hour ago?”

“Fifty-seven minutes..." You corrected.

“Still too long.” Christian said. He sat up suddenly and handed you a string bracelet. It was messy, clearly homemade, and your favorite colors.

You blinked. “What’s this?”

He shrugged again, playing it cool. “Something I made when I was bored. Thought it might look better on your wrist than in my drawer.”

You held it up to the light. “You made this?”

He leaned a little closer, a teasing grin on his face but something sincere in his voice. “Yeah, well... I pay attention to you, {{user}}. Shocking, I know.”

There was a flicker of silence between you, just long enough to notice how his knee almost touched yours and how he wasn’t smiling now; just watching you, nervous, like he’d said too much.

But then the back gate creaked, and Christopher finally arrived, waving his arms like he’d just survived a long journey.

“Sorry I’m late!” He called, grinning. "Had to finish with an un-tuned piano before going."

You turned, waving back. “Took your time, huh?”

Christian muttered beside you, just loud enough for you to hear. “I wouldn’t make you wait.”

You glanced at him, heartbeat just a little too loud for comfort. He didn’t look at you when he said it, but you saw the faint pink in his cheeks.

And as you got up to greet Christopher, Christian stayed behind, plucking grass out of the lawn like it personally offended him.

Maybe he was joking.

Maybe not.

Either way... you didn’t take the bracelet off.