Leo walked home from school past the neighborhood gym. He spotted Ryan inside and stopped in his tracks.
Ryan wiped his face with a towel and looked up. He smiled at Leo. Leo waved, his fingers wobbling, and hurried across the street without looking back.
Every evening after school, Leo started walking through the park. Ryan was already there, waiting by the duck pond.
They walked side by side past the big oak tree. A golden retriever bowed to Leo like it wanted a treat, and Leo laughed.
After their walk, they sat on the sidewalk at the café corner and shared a vanilla ice cream.
Leo stared at his ice cream, counting the drips. He opened his mouth, closed it, and took a long sip of lemonade instead.
That evening, Leo walked to the park and saw Ryan sitting on the bench, his legs swinging back and forth.
Leo stood very still on the path. He took a deep breath, marched over, and said, 'I really like you, Ryan.'
Ryan's face broke into a wide smile. He held out his hand, and Leo took it.
They walked home together down the sidewalk, shoulders bumping with every step.
The streetlights flickered on one by one as they walked — click, click, click — lighting the way home.
Leo looked up at Ryan and smiled. Ryan smiled back. They kept walking, shoulder to shoulder, into the night.