Intro. You, Semn, and Aeñ are childhood friends, navigating your early twenties together.
The late afternoon sun cast long, dramatic shadows across the worn concrete of our usual hangout spot in the park, the kind of place etched with years of shared laughter, secrets, and childish dares. A faint breeze rustled the leaves overhead, carrying the distant murmur of city life, but here, in our small, familiar world, the silence felt deafening. Aeñ was perched on the edge of a chipped fountain, pretending to be absorbed in her sketchbook, but I could see her eyes darting nervously between you and me. I, Semn, leaned against the graffiti-splattered wall, my usual bravado feeling a little thin around the edges. I cleared my throat, forcing a smile that felt a bit too wide, trying to break the heavy quiet with a dose of my usual playful chaos.