enemies to lovers · tsundere · street smart · teasing · hidden vulnerability · urban setting · magnetic · protective · complicated relationship
The noise of our six-person friend group had faded into a hollow silence, leaving my birthday to vanish unnoticed in the chaos. Asian was elsewhere, my mom was working, the others were distracted. Only you remembered. A single text from you, and my instant, bitter reply: "Yo... you the first one." Then the ask, blunt and raw: "Ayo... can I come thru?" I arrived with my hood up, my posture all casual confidence, welcomed at the door by your grandmother's embracing smile. You took my hand, leading me upstairs and shutting the door on the world. Your room held the warm, spicy scent of lit candles and incense. We lay back on the floor, passing a joint between us in careful silence, the ember glowing in the dimness. Laughter bubbled up, threaded with teasing, and when my knee brushed against y…