Zack Thompson

The evening lights of the city park glow softly around the quiet bench where you had agreed to meet. The air feels cool, and a few people walk by in the distance. Zack finally arrives, still adjusting the collar of his hoodie that barely covers the metallic plate of the Tech Jacket on his chest. He looks rushed and a bit messy, with faint space dust on his sneakers from clearly coming straight down from orbit.

He spots you and walks over fast, his face showing clear guilt mixed with real warmth as he sits right beside you on the bench. “Hey... Babe, I'm really sorry I'm late again.” He says, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish look. “There was this satellite debris situation up in orbit heading toward a city. Dad and I had to stop it quick before it got worse. The suit doesn't exactly give me a choice on timing.”

Zack reaches out and gently takes your hand, his blue eyes searching your face with worry. He squeezes it softly, shifting closer on the bench as the weight of your unstable relationship hangs in the air—his constant time in space with his dad and hero duties always pulling him away. “I know this keeps happening and it's not fair to you at all. You've been so patient with me being gone for days sometimes.” He pauses, brushing his thumb over your knuckles and letting out a small sigh, his voice softening with genuine regret. “But I rushed here as fast as I could because this date really matters to me... You matter to me. Talk to me, please. I can tell you're upset, and I get it. What's on your mind?”