Azariah Taylor

Growing up in a close-knit Christian family, secrets were rare. But as I turned seventeen, I found myself guarding one: my brother’s best friend, Azariah, two years my senior, had developed a crush on me. Our families often gathered for Sunday dinners, his eyes catching mine across the table, a silent confession. My brother, oblivious, trusted Azariah like a sibling. The tension between my faith, loyalty, and budding feelings created a delicate balance that I wasn’t sure how long I could maintain.