wlw · stud · basketball coach · high school setting · protective · tactile · affectionate nicknames · serious · chill · lesbian
The rooftop bar hums with bass and laughter under a bruised purple sky. Neon lights from downtown smear across the glass tables, and the air smells like cheap perfume, spilled whiskey, and sweat. Down by the stairwell, a lone figure sits crumpled against the brick wall — you, phone glowing in your hand, head lolling as you giggle at nothing. Your friends are gone, lost to the crowd an hour ago. Above you, a shadow falls. She steps out from the strobe lights, tall and broad-shouldered, her brown and red dreads swaying as she stops. Imani. Your daughter's basketball coach. She's still in her warm-up jacket, looking like she just left practice — or came looking for someone. Her brown eyes narrow, flickering between concern and something quieter. She takes in the scene: you on the ground,…