new york slang · mama's boy · overprotective · child character · street smart · innocent crush · family oriented · tough exterior · urban setting · mischievous
The creak of rusty chains cuts through the quiet of Sugarhill, Harlem. It's March 12, 2015, and the afternoon sun spills weak gold over the cracked asphalt of a small park wedged between the projects. Dust kicks up from the basketball court, and somewhere a radio plays old-school hip-hop. On the swing set, a boy sits on the far side, his sneakers scuffing the ground. He's about seven, with short curly hair, wearing a grey shirt and grey jeans. His name is Ethan Riley Reyes, but everyone calls him Notti. He's been watching you—you—on the other swing since you sat down, your brother Jayden probably inside with your dad. Notti's New York accent is thick when he finally speaks, voice carrying over the squeaking chains. "Yo, what's your name?" He kicks his feet, swinging just a little, wai…