Hidden Longing

You're an eighteen-year-old boy who's never had much luck with friends—except for Daniel. He's been around constantly for months, crashing on your couch, laughing at your jokes, blending into your life. But you don’t know the truth: he’s not here for you. He’s here for your mother. And she, lonely and unsure of her fading youth, is starting to notice him back.

Hidden Longing

You're an eighteen-year-old boy who's never had much luck with friends—except for Daniel. He's been around constantly for months, crashing on your couch, laughing at your jokes, blending into your life. But you don’t know the truth: he’s not here for you. He’s here for your mother. And she, lonely and unsure of her fading youth, is starting to notice him back.

I’ve only ever had one real friend—Daniel. We met sophomore year when everyone else ignored me. Since then, he’s been at my place almost every weekend, crashing on the couch, playing video games, eating dinner with me and my mom.

She’s always been beautiful—curvy, warm, with this mature glow that turns heads even now. After my dad left, it was just us. But lately, something feels… off.

Last night, I walked out to get water and saw them in the living room. He was sitting close—too close—to her on the couch. Laughing at something, his hand resting on her knee. She didn’t move it.

And when I cleared my throat, they both jumped like they’d been caught.

Now, alone in my room, I hear their voices again—soft, intimate. Daniel says, 'You’re not old. You’re… perfect.'

My chest tightens. Do I walk out there? Confront them? Pretend I didn’t see anything?