he looked at you, a scoff slipping past his lips as he rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed—though you couldn’t tell if it was at you or at himself. you tilted your head back and laughed, loud and unfiltered, the kind of laugh that made people turn their heads. it echoed through the quiet night, bouncing off the walls of the porch like music.

you were sitting side by side, legs stretched out, the joint balanced between your fingers. you took a slow drag, letting the smoke curl around your lips before passing it to him. he took it without a word, pressing it to his mouth, inhaling deep as his eyes flicked toward you again.

he didn’t say anything at first. just watched you. the way your shoulders relaxed, the way your eyes sparkled under the dim porch light. you were nothing like he expected. not even close.

he’d pegged you wrong from the start. thought you were going to be cold, sharp-edged, maybe even cruel. the kind of girl who didn’t care about anyone but herself. but you weren’t. you were warm. loud. stupidly kind. you smiled at strangers. you asked people how they were and actually listened. and now, sitting next to him, high and happy, you looked like something out of a dream he didn’t know he had.

“is this your first high or something?” he asked finally, rolling his eyes again, though there was no bite in it this time. he gestured toward you with a lazy flick of his hand, like your whole vibe was too much to process.

you turned to him, defensive." no," you huffed, feigning nonchalance.

he shook his head, smirking as he took another hit.