led like overcooked n
r until it was perfectly centered. She tucked a loose curl behind her ear an
wle
t's what everyon
re slicked back into a bun - neat, tight, not a single strand out of place. Her brows were brushed, her lips
e it c
art wasn't
house l
life li
hra
voice - a cup knocked over
a beat, letting the shou
ce called again. "Korede
Same chaos,
lack sneakers. The hallway walls were stained from years of rainy season leaks. A fad
ounter, her sleeves rolled up, face shiny with heat and frustration. She looked just like Zah
eriously?"
eside the mess, eyes downcast, arms cros
t their younger sister. Sade stood barefoot by the fridge, rubb
er. She grabbed a rag, crouched, and started c
flicking toward the hallway. "Mu
rse sh
oyo, the five-year-old, it was nearly 7:30. She repacked Sade's hair - again
dn't c
daughter
hing looked shini
ough like she always did - back straight, s
hoed in lit
t. Always
ever loo
a main cha
led - the kind that said she didn't hear them, even
ew how tight her chest got sometimes when she was alone, or how her legs
A role. She was the golden girl. The girl who alwa
n't affor
n he ap
head bent over his phone like this wasn't hi
an L
e. Her bigges
re his school shorts too big. Things were different now. Jordan had grown into his jawline, into h
t, Hart?" he asked, glancing
sterious, Lane?" she r
ent a jolt through he
oved
t even kn
more, someone brushed
le
ughed, never spoke unless called on. There was something sharp abou
tly as he passed.
raaa
ice cut through
li
t and silver hoop earrings, her curls bouncing w
o. Back before th
iyah asked, lin
ne," Za
look
d I'm
ice dipping lower. "Jordan'
heart
dn't a
dn't h
dn't fade. If anyt
something
er locker like i
n she s
pet
like a ritual.
d to her
wless gir
to watch
a fr
er hand reached for the note on instinct, but he
ike whoever wrote it wasn't in a rush.
he paper slowly. Behind her
tu
th
stood a few feet away, sipping her apple
down at the
ame. Or rathe
rd
yd
k? A t
idn't
told her this
and speeches. Someone saw past the perfect
one had just
to her bag, her hands
ipped - jus
hairli
t going to be l
eady begun