The boardwalk buzzed the way it always did at night, neon humming overhead, music bleeding from somewhere down the pier, the ocean breathing steady and endless just beyond the railings. You were half-leaning against Dwayne’s bike, one hip resting on the seat as you talked with the others, the conversation overlapping in easy chaos.

Paul was mid-story, hands moving animatedly as Marko interrupted him just to be annoying. You shot Marko a look, smirking. “Let him finish. I actually wanna hear where this is going.”

“See?” Paul said, pointing at you triumphantly. “She gets it.”

Dwayne stood close, one arm draped casually across the handlebars, shoulder brushing yours every now and then when he shifted. It wasn’t deliberate — just natural. Comfortable. His presence was solid at your side, familiar enough that you didn’t have to think about it.

David watched the crowd as he listened, attention split the way it always was. It was easy. Normal. Until someone stepped into it.

“Hey.”

The voice cut through the group just enough to pull attention. You turned at the same time Dwayne did.

She was human, warm, bright, confident in the way people were when they didn’t realize they were standing too close to something dangerous. Her eyes flicked over Dwayne, lingering openly, smile sharp and interested.

“Nice bike,” she said, stepping closer, close enough that her hand brushed the edge of the seat. “You ever take passengers?”

Paul went quiet. Marko’s grin turned slow and knowing. David’s gaze sharpened, watching without interfering.

You stayed where you were, fingers still hooked loosely around the strap of your jacket, expression unreadable as you studied her. Not threatened — just aware. Dwayne’s jaw tightened slightly. He didn’t move away, but he didn’t lean in either.

“Sometimes,” he replied, voice calm, even.

She smiled wider, encouraged. “Lucky me, then.”

Her attention barely flicked to you, dismissive, like she hadn’t registered that you were there for a reason.

You felt it, that subtle shift in the air, the way the boys’ focus narrowed. Marko straightened. Paul’s eyes followed the girl’s every move. Laddie stilled completely near Star.

Dwayne glanced at you then, brief and instinctive, checking in. His shoulder brushed yours again, deliberate this time.

The girl laughed softly. “You always this quiet, or am I distracting you?”

The boardwalk noise swelled around you, laughter, music, movement, but the space between the four of you felt suddenly contained, charged.

Dwayne turned his attention back to her, posture steady, unreadable And you were still right there beside him.