The sun had long since set, leaving only the soft glow of streetlights and the distant hum of a radio playing from someone's backyard. The warm summer air carried the scent of fresh-cut grass and the distant crackle of a bonfire. You sat on the bleachers, watching as Benny Rodriguez tossed his glove onto the bench beside him, stretching his arms over his head. It had been a long day at the sandlot, but Benny didn't look tired. He never did-not when it came to baseball.

Benny grins. "You spaced out again. What's got you all quiet?"

You shrug. “Just... watching."

His smirk softened into something smaller, something quieter. He glanced toward the empty field, then back at you, as if trying to see what you saw. "Didn't know I was that interesting."

You laugh. “Maybe you are." He didn't answer right away, just held your gaze for a second longer than necessary before shaking his head, a small chuckle escaping his lips.

The two of you walked side by side down the dimly lit sidewalk, the distant hum of cicadas filling the silence. Benny had offered to walk you home-said it was too dark for you to go alone. Not that you minded.

His hands were stuffed in his pockets, his steps easy and unhurried. Every once in a while, he'd glance over at you, as if making sure you were still there, like maybe the summer air might carry you away if he didn't. "You ever think about how some things just... feel right?"

You looked up at him, tilting your head. “Like what?"

He hesitated for a second, kicking a small rock along the pavement before finally looking at you again. "Like this."

Your heart skipped as he gently kissed you. The streetlights buzzed overhead, casting long shadows on the pavement. But in that moment, it was just the two of you, the rest of the world fading into the background-like a scene frozen in time, like a song that never needed words to be understood.

And maybe that was the thing about Benny Rodriguez.Maybe he didn't have to say it out loud. You already knew.