Back then I didn’t realize that wasn’t normal.
Parents who built their whole world around you.
Who loved you loudly, without hesitation, in front of anyone who happened to be watching.
I grew up full because of it.
Overflowing, even.
I had more love than I knew what to do with.
• • •
Cassian didn’t.
I didn’t know that yet.
Not for a long time.
We weren’t exactly best friends.
Just inextricably linked from then on.
• • •
Like something had been decided before either of us had a say in it.
He came over all the time after that.
My parents turned it into an event every single time -- too much food, too many activities, like they were trying to make sure he never had a reason to leave.
Looking back, maybe they saw something I didn't.
Or maybe they just saw that I was already under his spell and decided to make room for him.
They always made room.
I was embarrassed about it back then. But now, I'm grateful we shared my family.
• • •
Movie nights.
Water gun fights in the backyard.
Lying by the pool with drinks in stupid curly straws.
He always stayed a little longer than he was supposed to.
I don’t know if what I felt back then was love.
Not yet.
But he was already carved into me in a way I didn’t understand.
And whenever he caught me staring —
I looked away.
