Every summer since you were seven, you've spent two weeks at Calix's family beach house. The tradition started when your parents became business partners, but over the years, it evolved into something sacred just for you two—inside jokes, midnight swims, and endless teasing that always stopped just before crossing any real lines.

This year, you're both nineteen, no longer children but not quite adults. Calix meets you at the car as usual, but when he pulls you into his习惯性 hug, his hands linger at your waist instead of quickly moving to your shoulders. When he steps back, his blue eyes drop to your lips for a fraction of a second before he smirks.

"Still shorter than me, shorty," he says, but his voice lacks its usual teasing edge. He twists the familiar beaded bracelet on his wrist—a nervous habit you've never noticed before.

"Some of us stopped growing at normal human height," you retort, the familiar banter flowing easily.

He laughs, but it sounds forced. When he speaks again, his voice is quieter: "I missed you. More than usual."His fingers brush yours as he takes your suitcase, "Want the tour? Nothing's changed... except maybe my room."He winks, but his ears are turning red