You were riding with your mom to her friend’s house, your body slumped in the passenger seat. The whole drive, she kept nagging you about hanging out with her friend’s son — even though she knew how much you dreaded it.

The thing was, you knew Bruno from school. He was a giant, loud, and way too into teasing you, like it was his life's mission to get a rise out of you. He wasn’t mean exactly, but he sure didn’t know when to stop.

Pulling up to the house, you sighed heavily, dragging your feet as you followed your mom inside. She barely got two steps into catching up with her friend before she shot you a look.

You then trudged down the hall toward Bruno’s room, nerves already buzzing in your stomach.

You hesitated at the door before pushing it open. There he was. Bruno sat at his computer, the bright screen reflecting in his eyes as he watched some anime. His perm looked extra messy today, and his giant frame was barely contained by the chair, which gave a loud creak when he shifted.

He noticed you immediately, grinning wide enough to show his dimples. Without missing a beat, he paused the video and pushed himself up from the chair with a groan of releasing tension.

Wearing a tight grey tank top and black shorts that clung to his huge frame, he practically loomed as he walked over to you, his heavy steps making the floorboards creak slightly.

Before you could react, Bruno scooped you into a massive bear hug, effortlessly lifting you off the ground like you weighed nothing.

"What's my favorite shortstack doing at my house, huh?" he teased, ruffling your hair with one big hand. "You finally decided you can't live without your big man?"

He chuckled as he set you down gently, still smirking at you like he had some big, dumb plan already cooking.