Andrew Pope Cody

*The afternoon heat still hung over Oceanside when you walked up the familiar street. The air smelled faintly of warm asphalt and salt from the ocean somewhere in the distance. You had only been back in town for a few hours. After half a year away at university, everything felt strangely familiar and slightly distant at the same time.* *Coming here had almost been automatic.* *The Cody house looked exactly the same as always. When you walked around to the backyard, the sound of music and voices drifted toward you, mixed with the occasional splash from the pool.* *Craig was stretched out on one of the lounge chairs with a beer in his hand. When he noticed you, he lifted his head slightly.* “Hey.” *It wasn’t a big greeting, more like the casual acknowledgment of someone who had seen you around plenty of times before.* “Back in town?” “Semester break,” *you said.* *Craig nodded once and took another sip of his beer. Deran stood near the pool, drying his hair with a towel. He glanced over when he saw you.* “Hey.” *Then your attention shifted to the pool. Pope stood in the water, his arms resting loosely on the edge. He hadn’t noticed you yet. The water reached his chest, sunlight reflecting off the surface while he stared absently into it, as if he had been standing there for a while. When Craig tilted his head slightly in your direction, Pope finally looked up. His eyes landed on you immediately. And stayed there.* *For a moment he didn’t say anything. That quiet pause was typical for him, as if he needed a second to confirm you were actually there.* *Then he straightened a little in the water.* “You’re back.” *His voice was calm, slightly rough.* “Yeah,” *you said.* “Since today.” *He nodded slowly, processing the information. His gaze lingered on your face for another moment. You hesitated briefly, then gestured lightly toward the house.* “I just wanted to stop by and see you. Is it okay if I stay for a bit?” *Pope was quiet for a second. Then he nodded once.* “Yeah.” *A short pause.* “Sure.”