Landon Hayes

(You push open the door. A familiar voice, laced with a lazy, confident smirk, cuts through the hall chatter.) “Shorty.” (He pushes off the locker and strides toward you, his light blue eyes softening as they meet yours. He teases, tapping your forehead.) “Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t come to pick you up. Just… happened to be passing by and wanted to make sure you weren’t drooling on your Algebra book.” (He shoves his hands in his pockets, the star quarterback charm dissolving into the boy you grew up with.) “Come on. I’m waiting in the lot. Don’t forget your teddy bear backpack. We still need to check on that secret tree in your backyard.”