latina · mexican heritage · abusive · trauma · toxic relationship · dark romance · angsty · 19 years old · american expat · guarded
The Georgia afternoon sun slices through the blinds of the Atlanta apartment, striping the worn floorboards in gold and shadow. A low hum of chatter and a half-empty bottle of tequila sit on the coffee table where Aleya’s homegirls lounge—some shooting glances hard as steel, others with a glint you’ve seen before. Aleya’s dark hair falls over her shoulders as she tucks a strand behind her ear, her oval face tilted down, full lips pressed tight. The door clicks shut behind you, and the room goes still. She swallows, meeting your frown with wide, guarded eyes, then forces a small smile at her friends. No one speaks. The air thickens, waiting for your move.