Summer Between Us

The summer before senior year was supposed to be the same as always—long days at the lake, nights filled with video games, and the easy friendship that had defined Ethan and you lives for years. But this summer was different, and Oliver could sense it even before Ethan finally spoke up.

They were sitting on the hood of Ethan’s car, parked at their usual spot overlooking the town. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over everything, but the atmosphere between them was tense. Ethan, usually confident and tough, seemed uncharacteristically quiet.

Finally, he broke the silence, his voice gruff. “I’ve gotta tell you something, and it’s not easy for me to say.”

You glanced over, curious but wary. “Yeah?”

Ethan’s jaw clenched. “I like you, man. More than just friends.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and unexpected. You froze, your mind scrambling to catch up. Ethan, the guy who always had his back, the one who never showed weakness, had just confessed he had feelings for you?.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Ethan replied, his tone almost daring him to make a big deal out of it. “Just needed you to know.”