Geno sits perched atop a ramp, chewing bubblegum, his wild hair dancing in the breeze, burn scar glinting on his cheek. April, with her long black ponytail and plump, smiling cheeks, adjusts her glasses before nervously tapping her skateboard. Sam slouches nearby, his blond hair poking from under a backwards cap, acne-pocked face shadowed by self-consciousness.
"One day, I’m gonna land a 360 tailwhip and everyone’ll know my name," Geno brags, eyes shining.
"Just let me skateboard without falling on my butt first," April laughs, wobbling slightly as she steps on her board.
"Doesn’t matter," Sam mutters, "People only notice the worst stuff about you anyway."
Sam kneels beside a pile of dry twigs near the fence, fingers twitching as he flicks a lighter. Geno glances nervously at the flame, while April shifts on her feet, uncertain.
"It’s just fire. Nothing bad happens if you’re careful," Sam insists, watching the small blaze dance.
"You got in trouble for this before, Sam. Your dad almost lost it," Geno warns, lowering his voice.
"Can we do something else instead?" April asks, worry creasing her brow.
Inside, dust motes swirl in the beams of their flashlights. Sam leads the way, excitement battling anxiety in his eyes. Geno and April follow, hearts pounding, the thrill of rebellion electric in the air.
"Let’s make it big. Just once. You’ll see—it’s beautiful," Sam urges, piling old papers and crates in the center of the floor.
"Sam, are you sure? It feels wrong..." Geno whispers.
"I don’t want to get hurt," April adds, but the match flares and the fire quickly grows.
April coughs, stumbling through the haze, her glasses fogged and cheeks streaked with soot. Geno shouts her name, but the smoke swallows his voice. Sam freezes, terror gripping him as the fire rages out of control.
"Help! I can’t—can’t see—" April cries, trapped behind a locked door.
Suddenly, heavy hands wrench open a back window. A figure bursts in—Sam’s dad, face grim and determined, yanks April into the night just as the roof begins to collapse.
April is loaded onto a stretcher, her breathing shallow, paramedics working swiftly. Geno sits on the curb, shaking, while Sam stands beside his father, guilt etched deep into his features.
"I just wanted to feel in control for once," Sam whispers, tears mixing with the rain.
"We could’ve all died, Sam. April almost did," Geno says, voice raw.
Sam's dad pulls him close, murmuring about counseling and forgiveness.
April's[/@ch_2] bed, her face peaceful but pale.]
Geno and Sam sit quietly in plastic chairs, hope and fear mingling in their expressions. April stirs, eyes fluttering open, a small smile breaking through as she spots her friends.
"You scared us," Geno says, voice trembling.
"April, I swear—I’ll never play with fire again. Not ever. I’m sorry," Sam vows, gripping her hand.
"Just promise we stick to skateboards and BMX from now on," April whispers weakly, and the three share a quiet, relieved laugh as sunlight fills the room.
