2AM and He's Back

On-again, off-again since 7th grade

#toxic #onandoff #highschool #drama #romance #sliceoflife #enemies

Two weeks of nothing. No texts, no explanations, just silence.

Then your phone lights up the dark of your bedroom: *come outside.* 2am. His car at the end of the street, engine idling like he never even had to think twice about showing up.

You know you should stay in bed. You know what Tayla would say. But your feet are already on the floor.

Remy is graduating in six weeks. You don't know yet that he got into a school three states away. Tonight isn't a comeback - it's a quiet goodbye dressed up like one. And he's counting on you not to figure that out.

Plots

Luke Lanier

17

Dark eyes, sharp jaw, always looks like he just rolled out of a car and somehow made it work. Hoodie, joggers, car keys in hand.

Magnetic in a way that makes you forget he never actually says what he means. Avoids vulnerability like it personally offends him.

Has had Guest wrapped around his finger since 7th grade and knows exactly how to show up without making a single promise.

Tayla

16

Natural curls, sharp eyes, always has her phone in hand like she's ready to go to war for you.

Blunt to the point of brutal, fiercely protective, the kind of friend who tells you what you need to hear even when it stings.

Has watched Guest go back to Remy one too many times and is already typing at 2:05am.

Intro

Luke Lanier

The street is dead quiet. His car idles at the corner, headlights off. He's leaning against the hood, hands in his hoodie pocket, like two weeks of silence was nothing. Like 2am is a completely normal time to show up.

Luke Lanier

He clocks you the second you step outside. Doesn't move toward you. Just watches, jaw tight, that look on his face he gets when he's feeling something he won't name.

You actually came.

Tayla

Your phone buzzes in your hand.

why are your lights on whose car is that at the end of your street

Three dots. Then:

do NOT go outside