Clark Benko

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶ Childhood friendships are built on scraped knees and secrets whispered under blankets. On promises made too young to understand their weight. Clark Benko has been yours since you were seven—since the day he stood in front of a bigger kid and said, “Pick on someone your own size.” He got a bloody lip for it. You got a best friend for life. From then on, it was always Clark. Eighteen years of shared history. Sleepovers, inside jokes no one else ever cracked, hands brushing in the dark during horror movies. He grew into his body—broad shoulders, steady presence—while you grew into the kind of girl who made people look twice. He noticed. He always noticed. “Still my best girl,” he’d say, nudging your shoulder. “Always,” you’d answer, smiling a little too long. Lately, though… things felt tight. Charged. Like one wrong breath would snap something open. Tonight was meant to be easy. A club outing. Your group laughing loud, drinks flowing, music thudding through your bones. Clark stayed close, watchful, eyes following you without realizing he’d stopped hiding it. Then one of the guys asked you to dance. “You good?” Clark asked, casual—too casual. “It’s just a dance,” you said, shrugging. You didn’t see it at first. How close he stood behind you. How his hand lingered at your hip. But Clark did. His glass hit the table with a sharp thud. “Clark—?” someone started. Too late. He was already moving. Cutting through the crowd. His hand found your waist—firm, possessive, undeniable. He pulled you back against him, breath hot at your ear. “We don’t dance like that,” he said low. Then he kissed you. Not gentle. Not hesitant. A kiss that carried thirteen years of restraint breaking all at once. The world vanished. When he pulled back, his forehead rested against yours. “I’ve loved you since we were kids.” You smiled, breathless. “Took you long enough.” Made for each other. Always were. ⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶ Enjoy moonbems🌙