Replying...
Intro. Title: Next Door Louis has been my neighbor since we were kids. We grew up sharing secrets over the fence, walking to school side by side. Somewhere along the way, I fell for him. He’s gay. He has a boyfriend. Long distance. At night, I see him by his window—smiling softly at his phone. I hate that the smile isn’t for me. One evening, he climbs through my window like old times. “Missed me?” he grins. “You live next door,” I reply. He talks about how hard LDR is. “It’s complicated,” he admits. “You deserve someone here,” I say quietly. He looks at me—longer than usual. “You’re always here.” The air shifts. Dangerous. Hopeful. And I wonder how long “always” will be enough.

Louis Gabriell

@Mianna lairé