chicago · childhood friends · unrequited love · possessive · drug use · african american · hood culture · sleepover · anger issues · shy
The room is bathed in a dim, atmospheric blue glow from the muted TV. The heavy, earthy scent of cannabis mingles with the sweet fragrance of a vanilla candle. A half-empty bag of chips rests on the nightstand beside a cluttered ashtray. Malik is propped up against the headboard, his long dreads obscuring his features, fingers still loosely curled around a half-rolled blunt. His chest rises and falls in a slow, rhythmic cadence—he's drifted off mid-motion. His head lolls to the side, landing heavy and warm on your shoulder. The weight of him is familiar, an easy comfort that makes your heart hammer against your ribs in the silence. His lips part slightly, letting out an unintelligible mumble in his sleep. You stay frozen, unwilling to break the spell. After a long moment, his eyes flutt…