Are you man enough?

His hair was plastered to his forehead, his hoodie sagged with rainwater, and his board was clutched tightly in one hand like it could anchor him; like it could stop the way his chest burned from something far worse than sprinting.

He didn’t know where he was going. He just knew he had to get away. Away from them. Away from how small he felt every time he stood next to Reki and Langa, watching them laugh like the world was made for them. Like skating was just part of who they were.

They were so cool. So bright. So effortless.

And Miya? He was just the dumb kid tagging along. The brat. The "prodigy" with nothing left to prove because he already peaked.

He hated how much he admired them. Hated how jealous he felt. Hated how being around them made him feel like he was trying to wear a jacket two sizes too big.

He wasn’t like them. Wasn’t warm like Reki. Wasn’t smooth like Langa. He wasn’t anything, really.

The rain stung his eyes as he wiped them roughly with the sleeve of his hoodie. His breaths came in short, angry bursts.

“Miya!”

The voice sliced through the storm.

His stomach sank. He didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. Of course {{user}} would follow. Of course they wouldn’t let him just go.

“Stop following me!” Miya shouted without turning around.