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Screams echo around the house. Just like how they echo around the courtroom.“Order! Order in the court!” the judge yells. It all becomes just a blurry mess in my brain when I start to think about it. Yells, bangs, and then silence. But one thing’s for certain. My parents are officially divorced. The papers are signed. My life is torn in half.Beep. Beep. Beep. My alarm clock jerks me awake. I roll over, squinting my eyes at my doorway, straining to see if my mom is up yet. Sure enough, light peeks under the door, highlighting my room. I groan, pulling the blankets over my head.“I know you’re up! Don’t act like you’re not! Get your butt into some clothes and come downstairs! It’s almost time to leave!” my mom hollers from downstairs. I groan, again, and roll myself out of bed, clutching my favorite blanket and teddy bear. I stumble over to my light switch and flip it on, revealing an empty room. I set my blanket and teddy bear down in a moving box. I then take my pajamas off, changing into black yoga pants and a black and purple Wednesday Addams shirt. I’m not in the mood to dig my makeup out of the moving box and put it on, so I slip my feet into socks and Converse, pack my pajamas, and I’m done.I walk downstairs, box under my arm.“I’m ready to go!” I hand the box to a moving guy who nods and loads it into a truck outside. God. Why do we have to move? I get that Mom hates Dad at this point, but to move across the country? AGHHHHHHHH. Overkill! I mentally berate my mother for this decision. I walk outside of our house. “Mom.”“Sky.”“Mom.”“Sky.”“I’m ready to go,” I say, laughing slightly. Mom always makes me feel better.“Good. Get in the car hon, and we’ll be on our way,” she smiles at me, making me feel better. As I settle into the car seat, my thoughts wander back to the conversation with Mom last night.We had sat together in the living room, surrounded by packed boxes and the smell of cardboard. The dim light from the lamp cast long shadows, making the room feel smaller and more intimate."Sky, I know this is hard," Mom had said, her voice soft but firm. "But sometimes we have to make difficult choices for a fresh start."
I had nodded, not trusting myself to speak without letting my emotions spill over. Moving away meant leaving behind everything familiar—friends, school, and the life I’d known. But deep down, I understood her reasons."Will it really be better, Mom?" I had asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She had squeezed my hand reassuringly. "I believe it will be. It's a chance for us to find peace and maybe even happiness."Her words linger in my mind as we drive away from the house. I watch through the window as the neighborhood fades into the distance, feeling a mix of sadness and hope."Are you ready for a new adventure, Sky?" Mom asks, glancing at me with a gentle smile.I take a deep breath and nod. "Yeah, I think I am."We drive on, leaving behind my life, and head towards the middle of nowhere. Goodbye, home. Hello, Nockfell.
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The drive into Nockfell was a surreal experience. The further we went, the more it felt like stepping back in time. The town was small and quiet, a stark contrast to the noise and chaos of the city. As we pulled up to the apartment complex, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. The building looked old and worn, with faded paint and cracked steps leading up to the entrance."This is it," Mom said, trying to sound optimistic. "Home sweet home."I nodded, trying to see the potential rather than the peeling wallpaper and dim lighting as we carried boxes inside. Our apartment was on the fourth floor, and each step creaked ominously under our feet. The hallway smelled faintly of mildew and something I couldn't quite place.Once inside, I dropped my bag on the floor of my new room. It was small but had a window that overlooked the street below. I started unpacking, trying to make the space feel a little more like mine.After a while, I heard voices outside my apartment door. Curious, I peeked out to see a few other residents gathered in the hallway. One of them caught my eye—a tall boy with long brown hair and a laid-back demeanor. He wore a T-shirt with some design on it that I couldn't quite decipher and seemed to be in deep conversation with another guy who had striking red hair and glasses."Hey, new kid!" the tall one called out when he noticed me. "You must be Sky. I'm Larry.""Hi," I replied, stepping into the hallway. "Nice to meet you.""This is Todd," Larry introduced his friend, who gave me a small nod."Welcome to Addison Apartments," Todd said with a hint of formality. "If you need any help or information about the building, feel free to ask.""Thanks," I said, appreciating the offer.
Just then, another resident joined us—a stocky guy with a huge grin and a backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Hey, I'm Chug!" he announced enthusiastically."Hi, Chug," I replied, smiling at his energy.
As we chatted, I noticed someone standing a bit apart from the group, listening quietly. He wore a full face mask that covered his features, making him somewhat enigmatic."Who's that?" I asked Larry."Oh, that's Sal," Larry replied casually. "Don't mind the mask; he's cool once you get to know him."
Sal gave a small wave but didn't say much, staying back as the conversation continued.
Larry leaned in slightly and lowered his voice. "If you ever want to hang out or need to chill, just let me know. I've got some... stuff that can help you relax," he said with a sly grin.I tilted my head in confusion. "Stuff? Like what?"Larry chuckled softly. "You know, some weed."I blinked, not entirely sure what he meant. "Weed? What's that?"For a moment, the group fell silent, exchanging glances of mild surprise. Todd raised an eyebrow while Chug let out a short laugh.
Larry smirked but wasn't unkind."It's something you can smoke that helps you relax or feel more at ease. Some people use it to unwind.""Oh," I said slowly, still not entirely grasping the concept but filing it away for later consideration. "I'll keep that in mind."
The group's initial shock softened into understanding as they realized that I’m sheltered as hell.
As they dispersed, I felt a little more at ease. These new faces are definitely odd, and they could be trouble. But on the other hand, I do really need friends. So I’ll give them a second chance. I return to my apartment.
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The next morning, sunlight streamed through my window, waking me up earlier than expected. I stretched and rubbed my eyes, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about the day ahead. It was my first full day in Nockfell, and despite everything, I was curious to see what it had in store.After a quick breakfast, Mom and I decided to explore the neighborhood. As we stepped outside, the crisp morning air filled my lungs, and I felt a little more awake. The streets were quiet except for the occasional car driving by. We wandered past quaint shops and small cafes, taking in the sights and sounds of this new place.Eventually, we returned to the apartment complex, where I spotted Larry lounging on the steps with a small group of people. He waved when he saw me and beckoned me over."Hey, Sky!" he called out, a laid-back smile on his face."Hi, Larry," I replied, joining them. "What are you guys up to?""Just hanging out," he said casually. "You know, getting some fresh air."I noticed that one of the group members was rolling something in a small paper. It took me a moment to realize it was the "weed" Larry had mentioned yesterday. My curiosity piqued as I watched them prepare it with ease."Want to join us?" Larry offered, raising an eyebrow playfully.I hesitated for a moment. The idea of trying something so unfamiliar made me anxious, but there was also an undeniable curiosity tugging at me. I shook my head politely."I'm good for now, but thanks.""No worries," Larry said with a grin. "If you ever change your mind, just let us know."As they lit the joint and passed it around, I noticed that Larry was the only one partaking this time. The others seemed content just sitting back and watching him with amused expressions.As Larry took several deep inhales from the joint, he leaned back against the steps, his eyes glazing over into that classic stoner daze. A goofy grin spread across his face as he looked at us and said, “Dude… did I ever tell you guys about the time I tried to teach my goldfish how to jump through hoops?” His voice was slow and exaggerated, like every word was a new adventure.Chug raised an eyebrow, barely able to contain himself.“No way! Did it actually work?”Larry nodded slowly, as if recalling a life-altering experience. “Yeah! Well… kinda.” He paused dramatically and pretended to squint into the distance. “Turns out Goldie wasn’t much of an athlete... but she did manage to splash water everywhere and totally soak my homework!”At that moment, Chug erupted with laughter so loud it felt like it could wake up the entire neighborhood. Todd snorted in agreement like a startled goat trying not to sneeze.“You should’ve seen it!” Larry continued enthusiastically while throwing his arms wide open as if addressing an audience of millions. “Goldie was my little aquatic superhero—imagine Batman but with fins! She had dreams! Big dreams!" The more animated he got, the more ridiculous things became. He mimicked Goldie's extravagant flips—in mid-air motions complete with flapping arms—and even added sound effects like "swish" and "splash" for good measure.“And then,” he said between giggles while pretending to hold a tiny fish-sized cape around his neck with utmost seriousness, “she got flushed by accident during one of those intense bathroom cleaning incidents.” His expression turned somber for effect before whispering dramatically: "A true warrior's end.”Chug patted him on the back sympathetically while Todd pretended to wipe tears from laughter off his cheeks; meanwhile I was doubled over in stitches at this absurdity.“Man,” Todd managed between breaths of laughter as he shook his head in disbelief. "This has gotta be one of the stupidest highs you’ve ever been on.”Larry looked around at all of us with wide eyes full of wonderment—as if we’d just unlocked some profound truth about life itself through fishy gymnastics—before declaring sagely amidst our uproarious laughter:“If your goldfish can’t jump through hoops... wait… can they even see them? Like… do fish have depth perception?”His tone shifted from humorous revelation to confusion as we all fell deeper into fits of giggles at this newfound philosophical quandary posed by our stoned friend.It felt surreal watching him spiral further down this rabbit hole; every question led him on yet another tangent about underwater sports or whether jellyfish were secretly ninjas living among us—a delightful mix that made me realize maybe Nockfell wasn’t going to be so bad after all. But I was still dubious about the whole weed thing. Also, what’s on their shirts? Random weird names? I have no idea. I look down at my sweatshirt and yoga pants, brushing imaginary dust off them. Is hanging out with these people really a good idea? It’s fun, sure, but drugs? Really? God, what are you doing here, Sky? You’re nothing like these people. While everyone is busy with Larry, I sneak away, back to my room.
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A few days had passed since the chaotic, stoner-infused afternoon with Larry and his crew. I hadn’t really joined them again, mostly because I was still trying to figure out how I felt about everything. The whole weed thing was kind of… well, new for me, and honestly, I wasn’t sure I was ready to dive headfirst into it. I wasn’t one of them, not really. At least, I didn’t think so.Which is why, when I needed some space, I found myself sneaking up to the roof of Addison Apartments. It was the only place in this whole godforsaken building that felt like it had any peace. The stairs creaked under my feet, and the hallway always smelled faintly like mildew, but the roof was untouched by all that. Here, the chaos of Nockfell felt distant.I pulled myself up onto the roof, the door slamming shut behind me. The evening was soft and quiet, with the fading sun casting a warm glow over the tops of buildings, and the steady hum of traffic far below. I found a little corner, tucked between a few old air vents and a rusty water tank, and plopped down.My thoughts weren’t anything new. I missed home, I missed my friends, I missed the way everything felt normal there. I felt like a stranger in my own skin, in a city that wasn’t mine, surrounded by people who didn’t get it. Hell, I didn’t even get it. Who was I anymore?I crossed my legs, wrapped my arms around my knees, and just let my head rest against the cold concrete. I wasn’t crying, but it wouldn’t take much to make the tears spill over. I needed to stop thinking so much.Then I heard the sound of footsteps.I glanced up, half-expecting to see one of the random residents of Addison Apartments—probably Larry, or Todd, or Chug, all of whom had been pushing me to come hang out more. But it wasn’t any of them.It was Sal.He was standing a few feet away, wearing that damn face mask of his, which seemed to be a permanent fixture. I hadn’t really spoken to him much since the whole “weed” thing went down, but there was something about Sal that was oddly comforting, even in his stoned, mysterious way.“Hey,” I said, not really sure what to expect.He waved his hand lazily, like he hadn’t a care in the world. “Sup, Sky? What’s up with you?” His voice was thick, kind of slow, like he was trying to hold onto a thought that kept slipping away.“Not much,” I said, shrugging. “Just needed to get away for a bit.”Sal nodded, moving over to sit down beside me with the grace of someone who’d probably smoked a joint or five. He let out a long sigh, stretching out his legs and pulling the mask down under his chin, revealing a pair of half-lidded eyes that looked like they were two seconds away from just rolling into the back of his head.He stared up at the sky for a moment. “Y’know, man, the stars are just… floating up there. Like, they’re not attached to anything. They’re just, like, chillin’. That’s what I want to do. Chill. Floating… floating on nothing. You ever just think about that? The stars? They don’t care about anything. They’re… just… there.”I blinked at him, trying to process the words. “Yeah… I guess that’s true.”“Yeah, bro. The stars got it figured out,” Sal said, his voice taking on a dreamy, faraway tone. He reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out a half-lit joint. “Want some? It’ll make you see the stars better.”I shook my head quickly. “I’m good. I’m not really into that.”He shrugged, not at all put off by my refusal. “Your call. But, like, if you want to get into the zone, just let me know. I’ve got… stuff.”I didn’t even need to ask. I already knew what “stuff” meant.I let the silence stretch between us for a few moments, the kind of silence that wasn’t uncomfortable, but more like two people just existing next to each other. Eventually, Sal took a deep hit from the joint and leaned back, the smoke swirling around his head like a lazy cloud. I watched as he blew out a slow exhale, his eyes half-closed and unfocused.“You ever think about rocks, Sky?” Sal asked suddenly, his voice slurred but somehow serious.“Rocks?” I repeated, furrowing my brow.“Yeah, man, rocks. Like… like, you know how some rocks are smooth, and some are, like, rough? Some are big, some are small? Some are shiny, others are just gravel?” He gestured vaguely with his hand, like he was holding an invisible rock. “I love rocks. They just sit there, not trying to be anything. They’re just rocks. You feel me?”I didn’t know whether to laugh or just stare at him. Sal was obviously way gone, but somehow, I kind of understood what he was getting at. “I guess… rocks are kind of like people. You can’t really control what you are. You just are.”“Exactly!” Sal said with a snap of his fingers. “Rocks just… exist. You know? No one’s like, ‘Hey, you’re a rock, you’re too rough. Or too smooth. You don’t fit in.’ No. They’re just rocks. And people? Same thing. You just are what you are.”I blinked at him again. “Yeah, but that’s easier said than done. People have expectations. They… want you to be something.”Sal looked at me like I’d just said the most obvious thing in the world. “Yeah, but who cares what people want? You gotta just, like… be you. You gotta… not worry so much about fitting into their boxes.”“Boxes,” I repeated quietly. “Yeah, I guess…”There was a long pause as Sal gazed up at the sky again, taking another drag from the joint. His face was relaxed, his eyes a little glazed over. “You know, you remind me of a cool rock. Not rough, not shiny, not any of that. Just… like a… a smooth one. A hidden gem. You don’t gotta fit into their box. You just gotta be… your own kind of rock.”I wasn’t sure what to say to that. Part of me wanted to laugh at how weird Sal was, but another part of me felt a little less lost just hearing him talk. There was something about his whole vibe—stoned out of his mind, sure, but he actually seemed like he understood more than most people.Then, almost out of nowhere, Sal squinted at me as if he was seeing me for the first time. “So, uh… are you a guy or a girl? I mean… I just never asked, y’know?”The question hung in the air like a balloon that wasn’t going anywhere.I froze. I wasn’t sure why, but the question stung in a way I hadn’t expected. I wasn’t a guy or a girl, and I had spent so long figuring out how to say that, how to be that. But here, with Sal… with his ridiculous stoner wisdom and his face mask, I didn’t feel like I had to explain myself in some perfect way.I let out a slow breath, my heart hammering in my chest. “I’m not either,” I said quietly. “I’m… non-binary.”Sal blinked, his high brain working overtime to process the words. For a long second, there was nothing but the soft wind in the air.“Oh,” he said, his voice unbothered. “Cool. That makes sense. I get it.”I blinked, not sure if I had heard him right. “You do?”“Yeah, man,” he said, nodding slowly as though he was solving a mystery. “You’re like a rock that’s just… doing its own thing. No boxes. No labels. Just… you.”I stared at him, trying to make sense of it, but it was somehow the simplest explanation I’d ever heard.“Thanks, Sal,” I said quietly, feeling the tightness in my chest loosen. “I needed to hear that.”He smiled, a lazy, hazy grin spreading across his face. “No problem. Just don’t fall off the roof, okay?”I chuckled. “I’ll try.”We both stared up at the sky for a while longer, the world a little softer around the edges. And for once, it didn’t feel like I was trying to fit into someone else’s box. Maybe I didn’t have to figure everything out right away. Maybe, for tonight, I could just be a rock.A rock with a lot of questions.
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It was a lazy Saturday afternoon in Nockfell. I was lounging in the lobby of Addison Apartments, scrolling through TikTok on my phone. My new life in this weird little town still felt like a surreal dream, and with Mom working all day, I was left to entertain myself. I had been watching endless “emo transformation” videos—people turning themselves into the ultimate angst-filled TikTok emos with dramatic black eyeliner, big hair, and brooding expressions. It felt oddly comforting. Maybe because it was like a mask I could hide behind, something that could let me step away from the mess my life had become.That’s when I noticed the bag of gummies sitting on the table next to me. The colorful, squishy-looking ones that reminded me of the sour gummy bears I used to love. I didn’t think twice about them. They were bright, sweet-looking, and I was hungry. Without a second thought, I grabbed the bag and popped one in my mouth, savoring the fruity flavor.The taste was slightly herbal, but I brushed it off. It was probably just some weird flavor. I had no idea what was coming next.I kept scrolling, blissfully unaware, until my head suddenly started to feel fuzzy. My heartbeat started to quicken, and I felt like I was moving in slow motion, the world around me feeling distant. My eyes widened as I tried to steady myself. What the hell was happening?Before I could fully process it, I heard familiar voices, and I turned to see Larry and Sal walking into the lobby.“Yo, Sky!” Larry called out, a grin spreading across his face when he noticed me sitting there, looking a little dazed.“Hey,” I replied, trying to focus, but everything seemed like it was slipping out of reach. The edges of my vision blurred, and I couldn’t quite seem to form a sentence.I felt like I was sinking into the couch, my limbs feeling heavier by the second. My head was spinning, and I had no idea how to calm myself down. Every time I blinked, the world seemed to warp around me, like everything was moving in slow motion.“Hey, come on,” Larry said, snapping me out of my spiral. “Let’s do something fun. We’re gonna give you a makeover.”I blinked, not sure if I was hearing him right. “A makeover?”“Yeah!” Larry grinned. “Like one of those emo TikTok transformations. You know, all the black eyeliner, messy hair, brooding vibes… you’ll look like a star.”Sal, leaning against the wall, chuckled at Larry’s enthusiasm. “It’s gonna be fun. Trust us.”I wasn’t sure I had the energy to fight it, and honestly, I didn’t care much anymore. My thoughts were foggy, and all I wanted was to not feel so… out of it.A few minutes later, I was sitting in Larry’s apartment, staring at myself in the mirror. My hair had been sprayed up into an impossible volume, like a bird’s nest on steroids. I wasn’t even sure how it had happened—it just felt like everything was happening to me, not with me.Larry was busy applying thick black eyeliner under my eyes, while Sal rifled through a drawer filled with random makeup.“This is gonna be perfect,” Larry said, his voice far too cheery for my current mental state. “You’re gonna look like a total emo legend. Like, you live for the pain.”I blinked at myself in the mirror, staring at the strange, dark figure that was slowly emerging from the mess of makeup and hair. My eyes were rimmed with thick smudges of eyeliner, and my hair was huge, almost like I had just walked out of an ’80s rock music video.Sal stepped back and gave me a nod of approval. “I mean, you’re definitely pulling off the vibe. It’s not the full ‘emo’ yet, but we’re getting there.”Larry grinned, proud of his work. “You’re basically ready for your TikTok debut, Sky. Just wait until you put on the lipstick.”“What lipstick?” I asked, trying to focus as my brain felt like it was floating somewhere else.“Oh, you’ll see,” Larry said, pulling out a dark black lipstick and holding it up like it was a magic wand. “This is the final touch.”I didn’t care at this point. The whole process felt like I was watching someone else get made over, not me. My body was numb, and my mind was fogged with the high. Everything felt disconnected, like I was observing rather than participating.When they finished, I looked at myself in the mirror again. I hardly recognized the person staring back. My hair was wild, my eyes dark and smudged, and my lips were a deep, dramatic black. It was the exact look from all those TikTok videos, but it felt more like a costume than an identity.“Holy crap,” I said, my voice strangely distant. “I look… like I belong in a sad music video.”Larry high-fived me. “Exactly! You’re an emo god now, Sky.”Sal, looking a bit more relaxed than I felt, gave a low whistle. “You look like you just stepped out of a scene from The Matrix… or like a character from one of those band posters. You’re ready to rock.”I blinked at them both, trying to ground myself. My thoughts were swirling like I couldn’t catch them fast enough, but it was hard to care. The whole thing had somehow become funny. It was ridiculous, and I felt like I was living in some alternate reality, but I couldn’t stop laughing. The ridiculousness of it all made me forget for a second how weird I felt.But then, as I was laughing, Sal gave me a sideways glance and frowned. “Wait a second… you okay?”I froze, staring at him in the mirror. My thoughts were slow, but suddenly, something in my head snapped into place.Sal frowned deeper, noticing the way I was swaying in the mirror. “You’re, uh… not looking too hot, man.”Larry raised an eyebrow. “Wait, did you… Did you eat one of the gummies?”I stared back at them, slowly processing the question, then nodded.“Oh,” Larry said, realization dawning. “Ohhhhh, dude. You’re high as a kite.”I blinked again. “What do you mean—?”“You ate the edible,” Sal said slowly, shaking his head. “You’re tripping balls right now.”It was like a lightbulb went off. I hadn’t realized it, but now that they’d pointed it out, everything clicked into place. No wonder my body felt so off, my thoughts were so slow, and my movements so uncoordinated.I slumped back onto Larry’s couch, the absurdity of the situation finally hitting me. “I didn’t mean to… this was an accident,” I mumbled.Larry burst out laughing. “Well, it’s a hell of a way to get an emo makeover, huh?”Sal joined in, grinning. “At least you look the part. You’ll be a TikTok sensation in no time.”I couldn’t help but laugh with them. It wasn’t how I’d planned on spending my day, but maybe it wasn’t the worst thing in the world either. I was here, I was alive, and for once, I wasn’t just worrying about everything falling apart.Maybe I didn’t need to figure it all out right now. For a moment, I was just Sky, with messy hair, too much eyeliner, and a seriously strange adventure ahead of me.
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The air was cooler now, the evening stretching out with a peaceful, quiet hum. Nockfell felt quieter than usual tonight, the kind of stillness that made everything feel just a little more magical. The kind of stillness where anything could happen, where you could just be without thinking too much about it.I was sitting with the group on the roof again, the glow of string lights flickering in the soft night breeze, the stars above like little whispers of something bigger. Larry, Todd, and Chug were off to the side, talking and laughing about some wild idea, while I found myself next to Sal again, a comfortable silence between us. The white mask he always wore seemed to glow softly in the dim light, like it was made of moonlight itself.I couldn’t help but feel… safe next to him. Sal didn’t need to say much. He had this calm aura, a sense of quiet that made everything feel like it was okay, like I wasn’t alone in this new world of strange, surreal moments.Sal’s hand reached into his jacket pocket, and he pulled out a small joint, lighting it with a flick of his thumb. He took a slow drag, the smoke curling up into the air, and then held it out to me.“You want some?” he asked, his voice low, the mask muffling the sound but somehow making it feel even more intimate.I glanced at the joint, feeling my pulse quicken. I wasn’t really a weed person—not yet, anyway—but tonight felt different. The air was thick with possibilities, and I couldn’t help but feel curious.“Uh, yeah. Sure,” I said, trying to sound casual, even though I was nervous. I took the joint from him and inhaled slowly, coughing a little as it hit the back of my throat. It felt strong, more than I expected, and for a second, I worried I might embarrass myself. But Sal just gave me a quiet, reassuring smile—well, I thought it was a smile, even though his mask covered his face. There was something in the way he tilted his head, the little softening of his posture that made me feel better.I exhaled the smoke slowly, and the world around me began to shift, slowly at first, like waking from a dream. The trees on the edge of the roof started to sway a little more, their branches swaying in time with the breeze, their shadows stretching and pulling in strange, slow ways. I could feel the cool night air a little more intensely now, almost like it was brushing against my skin in ways it hadn’t before.“You feel it?” Sal asked, his voice still quiet but with a little edge of humor in it. His body language was so relaxed, like he’d done this a million times.“Yeah,” I laughed softly, feeling my cheeks warm. “Everything’s… kinda… wobbly.”Sal chuckled, and even though I couldn’t see his face, I could feel the warmth of it in the air between us. The mask wasn’t just something that hid his face—it seemed to protect him in a way, but also gave him this sense of calm mystery. It didn’t matter that I couldn’t see his expressions; his presence was enough.“You get used to it,” he said, leaning back slightly. “Weird how everything feels… more alive, right?”I nodded slowly, my thoughts floating. “Yeah, it’s like… like the trees are breathing with me or something.”Sal’s voice dropped lower, almost playful. “They probably are. Everything’s connected, you know?”I was about to respond, but my mind started drifting. The feeling of the shrooms, the weed—it was all swirling together into something… magical. I could feel myself relaxing, the world around me starting to feel like it was glowing, everything softening into gentle waves of color and light.“Sky,” Sal said, and his voice made my name sound like something sacred, like it was something he never wanted to forget. “You okay?”I turned to him, feeling a little more vulnerable than I expected. “Yeah, just… never felt like this before. It’s… nice.”Sal’s hand moved slightly closer to mine, and I barely noticed the space shrinking between us. Maybe it was the way the smoke curled in the air or the way the night seemed to slow down, but I felt this urge to reach out. To do something, anything, to close the distance between us.I didn’t know why I did it, but I leaned in, my eyes drawn to the white mask, to the faint outlines of where his lips should be. For a second, I thought about stopping, but the warmth of the moment seemed to guide me forward.Before I realized it, my lips brushed lightly against the surface of the mask.It was an accident, a slip-up, but in that brief moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. My heart skipped. I pulled back quickly, mortified. “Oh—sorry, I didn’t mean—”Sal didn’t seem fazed at all. Instead, he let out a soft, quiet laugh that made me feel a little lighter. “It’s okay,” he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. “Not exactly what I expected, but hey, it’s fine. No harm done.”I couldn’t stop the giggle that bubbled up in my chest, and soon, we were both laughing, the sound echoing softly in the night. The laughter wasn’t awkward—it was easy, like everything was falling into place in the most unexpected way.“I… I didn’t mean to,” I said between giggles, trying to catch my breath. “It’s just… I guess I got a little carried away.”Sal’s laugh softened, and I felt the shift in his energy, the quiet way he leaned a little closer. “It’s alright. You’re cool, Sky. I like… I like when things are real. And that was real.”My heart fluttered in my chest at his words, the warmth of the moment wrapping around me. For the first time in ages, I didn’t feel so out of place, so lost. Being with Sal felt easy—like the world had pulled us together in the perfect way.I took a deep breath, and even though I couldn’t see his face, I could feel him right there beside me, steady and calm. It felt right, more right than anything I’d experienced in a long time. And even if it was through the mask, I could feel it—this was a moment I wouldn’t forget.
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The sun beat down on us as we stepped out of the apartment and onto the streets of Nockfell. The air was sticky, the kind of heat that made everything feel sluggish. I was both excited and a little anxious, but today was supposed to be a distraction—a chance to get out of the apartment and hang with the group. Larry, Chug, Todd, and Sal were already waiting by the bus stop, talking about whatever random nonsense was on their minds.I didn’t really feel like my usual self. Normally, I’d try to dress in something a little more reserved, but today felt different. Maybe it was the weed still lingering in my system, or maybe it was the fact that everything in Nockfell was new and confusing. So I threw on a ripped-up black tank top, fishnets under my distressed jeans, and my favorite studded boots. My makeup was dark, eyes lined with thick black eyeliner, and my hair—well, I hadn’t done anything with it, so it fell in messy waves.I could feel eyes on me as we made our way through the mall, but I was too lost in the haze of the high to care much. The world felt slow, a little blurry at the edges. My head was swimming, and everything seemed too bright, too loud. I hated crowded places when I wasn’t high, but today… well, today everything felt like it was happening to someone else.“Sky, you good?” Sal’s voice cut through the haze. I looked up, blinking, seeing his white mask tilted slightly toward me, his presence grounding, even if I couldn’t see his eyes.“Yeah,” I muttered, trying to smile. “Just a little… off. You know how it is.”“Take it easy,” Sal said simply. “Let’s sit for a minute.”I nodded, following him over to one of the benches near the food court. It wasn’t like I didn’t want to walk around, but standing up felt like I might just tip over. I slumped into the bench, my head leaning back, trying to focus on anything that wasn’t spinning. The world was so loud, so full of people, and I just wanted to fade into the background for a while.Sal sat next to me, but he kept a little distance, as if to give me space. I appreciated it. He was always so calm, like nothing ever phased him.I closed my eyes for a second, trying to steady myself. But when I opened them, a man was standing in front of me. I didn’t notice him at first, but he was just… there. Older, in his mid-40s, with scruffy gray hair and a suit that was too tight for him. He was grinning, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.“Hey there, sweetheart,” the man said, his voice too smooth. It felt like a velvet trap. “You look lost. Can I help you find something?”I blinked slowly, trying to focus on his face, but everything felt blurry. I shifted uneasily in my seat. “I’m fine, thanks.”But he didn’t leave. Instead, he leaned in a little too close, his body hovering in my personal space, and his smile twisted into something that felt more dangerous than friendly.“Such a pretty girl. What are you doing sitting all alone?” His tone was low, like he was speaking to a child, and the way he looked me up and down made my skin crawl. It was like I wasn’t a person to him, just an object to be ogled.I recoiled slightly, shifting further back into the bench. My heart started to race, and I felt the panic rise in my chest. The haze from the weed didn’t help—everything felt foggy, distant, and my body felt too heavy to get up.“Hey,” I muttered, trying to get my voice to steady. “Please, go away.”But the man didn’t move. He just took another step closer, his breath too close to my face now. His hand reached out like he was about to touch my arm, and that was when something inside me snapped.Before I could do anything else, I heard Sal’s voice—a low, warning growl that sent a shiver down my spine.“Step back.”The guy froze, and for a moment, I thought maybe he hadn’t heard Sal. But then Sal moved in between us, his posture stiff, like a wall of quiet fury. He didn’t even need to say anything more; his presence alone was enough to stop the man in his tracks.“Don’t touch them,” Sal’s voice was calm, almost eerily so. But the threat behind it was unmistakable.The older man blinked, clearly thrown off by the sudden intervention, his eyes flicking up to Sal’s mask. But instead of backing off, he tried to act like it wasn’t a big deal. “Hey, no need to get all worked up. I wasn’t gonna hurt anyone.”Sal didn’t move, didn’t flinch. He just stared at the guy, his body a perfect shield between me and the creep. “I don’t care what you were gonna do. You’ve had your chance. Now walk away.”There was an edge in Sal’s voice now, a sharpness I hadn’t heard before. The man hesitated for a second longer, probably realizing that Sal wasn’t the kind of person who would just let this slide. Finally, he huffed, rolling his eyes and muttering something under his breath. But he turned and walked away, back to wherever he came from.I sat there for a moment, trying to collect myself, but I couldn’t stop shaking. My hands were clammy, my heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my ears. Sal didn’t immediately say anything. He just stood there, waiting for the man to disappear, and when he was gone, he turned toward me.“You good?” His voice was soft now, not cold or distant, but still steady.I swallowed hard, trying to calm my nerves. “Yeah,” I muttered, still feeling off. “Just… he’s creepy. I’m fine.”Sal didn’t respond right away, but I saw his hand hover near my shoulder as if he wanted to comfort me but didn’t know how. It was like he wanted to say something—anything to make me feel better—but he held back. I appreciated that.Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit me hard. I blinked and realized I hadn’t eaten anything all day. My stomach growled painfully, and before I could react, my vision blurred again, and the world started to tilt.“I… I don’t feel good,” I muttered, but the words didn’t feel right in my mouth. I tried to stand, but my legs felt like they were made of rubber.“Sky?” Sal’s voice sharpened, and he quickly reached out to steady me. “Hey, what’s going on?”“I didn’t eat,” I said weakly, my voice breaking as I tried to focus on him. “I’m… I don’t feel right.”I felt my body give out, and before I could do anything, I collapsed forward, my head hitting Sal’s chest. He caught me easily, his arms wrapping around me as he gently guided me back down onto the bench.“Shit,” I heard him mutter under his breath. The others must’ve heard the commotion because they appeared around us within seconds. Larry, Todd, and Chug were hovering, their faces a mix of confusion and concern.“What happened?” Todd asked, leaning down next to me.“I think they haven’t eaten today,” Sal said, voice still calm but with an edge of urgency I wasn’t used to. He turned to look at me, his hand brushing my hair back from my forehead. “You okay? Just breathe, Sky.”I barely heard him. My vision was still swimming, and my body felt like it was slowly going numb. But as I looked up at Sal, I saw him watching me with an intensity I hadn’t expected, like he was trying to pull me back from the edge of something I couldn’t quite reach.And then, as I drifted in and out of consciousness, I caught a glimpse of the others, their eyes flicking to something that made the air thicken with tension. My sleeve had ridden up slightly when I collapsed, and the old bruises—still faint, still haunting—were visible on my skin.I felt my heart drop into my stomach.No one said anything. But the weight of their eyes on me felt heavier than anything I’d ever felt before.“Sky?” Larry’s voice was softer now, the usual teasing edge gone. “You okay?”But I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. The silence in the air spoke louder than words ever could.
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I hadn’t realized how much I had been avoiding the issue until I walked into the food court and felt Sal’s eyes on me. Not the usual kind of gaze he had, the kind that was always so mysterious, hidden behind his white mask, but one that was sharp, observant. And somehow, it made me feel… exposed.It wasn’t the first time I’d tried to pull off the whole “I’m fine” act, but Sal knew me better than I gave him credit for. Maybe it was the way I’d been holding myself, tense, guarded—like I was trying to hide something that was too big to hide.“You haven’t eaten, Sky,” Sal said softly, his voice low enough that only I could hear him.I froze for a second, looking away quickly, unable to meet his gaze. Of course, Sal knew. He always knew. His intuition about me was eerie at times. It’s like he could read me better than I could read myself. It wasn’t like I was trying to hide it, exactly. It’s just that the thought of eating something felt wrong in my gut, but I didn’t want to deal with it.“I’m fine,” I muttered, trying to shrug it off. “I just… I’m not hungry.”“Sky.” His tone was firm this time, not a question but a statement. He didn’t even ask; he knew. His mask hid everything, but there was something about the way he held himself, the way he positioned himself between me and the rest of the world, like he was shielding me from the noise. He could tell something was wrong, and that was more unsettling than anything.I didn’t want to argue. I didn’t want to let him down, but I also didn’t want to face the reality of what I was doing to myself. Before I could come up with another excuse, Sal reached out, his hand warm and steady on my arm.“You’re eating something, Sky,” he said again, quieter now, but there was an underlying intensity to it that I couldn’t ignore. “You need to. For you.”I nodded reluctantly, still not sure I could stomach anything. But Sal wouldn’t take no for an answer. We found a small seat in the corner of the food court, and he ordered a simple sandwich—nothing extravagant, just enough to get me to eat something. I felt his gaze on me the entire time. There was no judgment, no harsh words—just concern.I didn’t want to eat. I didn’t think I could. But the way Sal looked at me made it impossible to refuse. I knew he wasn’t just looking out for my body; he was looking out for something deeper, something I couldn’t even put into words.I took a bite. It was small. The taste didn’t matter much, just the act of putting something into my stomach. I could feel Sal watching me, his presence calm and quiet, like he was giving me the space to do it at my own pace.But the moment the food hit my stomach, I felt a wave of dizziness rush over me. It wasn’t the high this time; it was something else. Something heavier. I could feel my hands tremble slightly, and the room seemed to blur a little. Sal’s steady hand found mine under the table, and he gave it a gentle squeeze.“You okay?” he asked, his voice soft but urgent, like he was already preparing himself for whatever might come next.I nodded, trying to clear the fog in my head. “Yeah… just… a little dizzy.”Sal didn’t speak again, but his thumb brushed across my knuckles, a quiet gesture of reassurance. He didn’t rush me. Didn’t ask me to do anything more than what I was able to.But there was something else gnawing at the back of my mind, something I couldn’t ignore any longer. I had been avoiding it for days, weeks even. It wasn’t just the not eating that was bothering me, though that was bad enough. It was the fact that I hadn’t really dealt with what I had been doing to myself—physically, emotionally.Before I could stop myself, I looked down at my wrist, feeling the weight of it, the scars that were still healing. I hadn’t seen them in a while, hadn’t let myself look at them, but here they were, glaring at me as though they had been waiting for me to face them. I didn’t want to hide them anymore. But I also didn’t want Sal to see.I tried to pull my sleeve down, but Sal was quicker. He was already there, his eyes following my movements with careful attention. And when his gaze fell on the bruises and scars, the ones I thought I had hidden so well, his face softened. I didn’t know what to expect from him—anger? Disappointment? But it was neither.He reached out without hesitation, his fingers grazing the back of my wrist with the gentlest touch. My heart hammered in my chest. I didn’t know what to say, what to do.Sal didn’t speak at first. He didn’t need to. His mask hid his expressions, but the way his hand lingered on my wrist spoke louder than words. It was like he was holding me in place, grounding me.Then, without warning, he pulled me into a hug. It was soft, slow, but it felt like something I didn’t realize I needed until that moment. He wrapped his arms around me, and for once, I didn’t feel like I had to hide or run. I let myself lean into him, breathing in the quiet comfort of his presence.“You’re not alone, Sky,” he whispered, his voice just for me. “Not ever.”I closed my eyes, the words wrapping around me like a warm blanket, shielding me from everything that had been hurting for so long. The noise of the food court, the world spinning around us—it all faded away as I let myself sink into his arms. I hadn’t realized how much I needed this. How much I needed him.For a long time, neither of us said anything. It was just the quiet, just the feeling of Sal holding me together when everything inside me felt like it was falling apart. I didn’t know how to explain what this meant to me, what this kind of care and comfort could do to a person. But somehow, Sal knew. He didn’t need words.When he finally pulled back, he kept his hands on my shoulders, gently guiding me to look at him. His mask was still a blank slate, but I could see the care in the way he was looking at me—like he understood something I couldn’t even articulate.“You’ll get through this, Sky,” he said quietly, and I believed him. Maybe not all at once, maybe not easily, but with Sal by my side, I had a feeling that maybe I could make it through anything.For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t feel so alone. And that, more than anything, made me feel like maybe there was hope after all.
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The night felt different up here on the roof of Addison Apartments. It always did. There was something about the quiet, the stillness, the way the world felt so far away. The city lights blinked beneath me, scattered like stars that had fallen to earth. This was my place. My space.But tonight, there was something else. Someone else.Sal was sitting next to me, not too close but just enough for me to feel the warmth radiating off him. It was hard to describe how I felt when I was with him. There was comfort, but something else too—something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Something more, something softer.I turned my gaze to him, trying not to stare. But his presence felt like an anchor. He was so still and calm, even with that mysterious mask covering his face. I could never tell what he was thinking. And maybe that made everything feel more real.“I like it up here,” I said, my voice quieter than I meant it to be. “It’s… peaceful.”Sal gave a soft hum of agreement. “Yeah. It’s good to have a place to just… breathe. No distractions. Just the sky and the quiet.”I couldn’t help but agree. The air felt lighter here. It was like everything else faded away when I was on this roof. Just me, Sal, and the distant sounds of the city.I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, then looked over at him. His hand brushed mine—almost like it was accidental. Almost. The touch lingered for a second too long, but neither of us pulled away. My heart skipped a beat. There it was again. That feeling.Sal’s fingers lingered just a little longer before pulling away, but it was enough to make my pulse pick up. Was he feeling it too? Or was I imagining things?Without thinking, I shifted closer to him, my shoulder brushing his. His body tensed just a little, but it wasn’t in a bad way. It was like he was figuring out how to be close without crossing some invisible line.And then, without even realizing what I was doing, I moved. Leaned in. My lips pressed softly against his mask. It wasn’t much—just a light touch—but my heart was pounding in my chest like I had just run a marathon.It wasn’t exactly the most graceful kiss. I could feel the cool, smooth surface of the mask against my lips, but the warmth of his presence was real. I pulled back a little, my face burning, my brain scrambling for some explanation. I had no idea what just happened.But Sal… Sal didn’t pull away. In fact, his hand had moved to my hair, his fingers brushing lightly against my scalp. “You know, that was a weird kiss,” he said, his voice low and calm, though I couldn’t tell if he was teasing or being serious. “But… it was nice.”I froze, my heart skipping a beat. Was he… was he joking?Before I could say anything, a loud crash echoed from the stairwell, followed by a voice that screamed my name, making my heart leap into my throat.“OH MY GOD! WHAT THE HELL, GUYS?!”I turned just in time to see Larry standing at the entrance to the roof, his eyes wide and his hands flailing in the air like he had just walked in on something truly catastrophic. His mouth was hanging open in shock as he took in the scene. Us. Together. Or… whatever that was.My face immediately went bright red. “Larry! What the hell?!”Larry, still staring at us like a deer caught in headlights, didn’t say anything for a long moment. He just blinked. And blinked again. And then—finally—his mouth opened. “I—uh—didn’t know this was happening! Am I… interrupting something?” He threw his arms up in mock surrender. “Should I just come back later or—?”I buried my face in my hands, mortified. “Larry, seriously?”Sal, on the other hand, was completely unfazed. He shifted just slightly, his tone calm but with an edge of amusement I couldn’t quite read. “Relax, Larry. You’re not interrupting anything.”Larry blinked again, still processing, and then his eyes flicked from Sal to me, still wide with shock. “Am I… am I just supposed to pretend like I didn’t see that? You guys are—wait, are you—?” He threw his hands up dramatically. “I’m not ready for this.”I groaned and buried my face further into my hands. “Larry, seriously, stop.”Sal just chuckled, leaning back casually, like this was all completely normal. “It’s fine, Larry. You didn’t break anything.”Larry stood there for a few seconds, still looking completely shell-shocked. Then, he threw his head back and let out an exaggerated sigh. “Okay, okay, I can’t handle this. I’m going back inside before you two get any more weird on me.” He pointed a finger between us, his eyes still wide. “I don’t know what I just saw, but I’m going to need some therapy after this. You need therapy!” He threw a hand up dramatically and turned to go.I watched him leave, feeling like I wanted to shrink into the ground. But then, I turned back to Sal, and my heart fluttered again. He was still close—closer than I expected. And even though it was awkward, and even though I’d just accidentally kissed him through his mask like an idiot, I couldn’t help but feel something warm building inside me. Something that felt right.“You okay?” Sal asked, his voice still calm, as if nothing had happened at all.I nodded, still trying to process everything. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just… I didn’t think it would be this awkward.”Sal’s hand found mine again, his fingers curling around mine gently, and I couldn’t help but feel the warmth of that simple touch. “We’re good, Sky,” he said softly. “Just… take it easy.”And for the first time in a while, everything felt… okay. We didn’t need words to explain it. Not yet. But I could feel it—the unspoken thing between us, the quiet connection. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now.
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The night air was cool against my skin, a soft breeze stirring the tangled mess of hair I hadn’t bothered to fix all day. I was sitting on the edge of the roof, legs dangling over the side, my heart still racing from the kiss. It hadn’t even been a real kiss, not at first—just a brief touch, a meeting of lips that felt like something more. Something I’d been craving for so long.
I couldn’t stop replaying it in my mind, the way Sal’s mask had felt so soft in my hands, the way his mask had tasted—like smoke and mint and something deeper, something I couldn’t quite place.
The others had gone back inside, but I stayed out there, lingering, staring at the quiet street below, trying to ground myself. But all I could think about was Sal.
Sal.
I glanced over at him, standing just a few feet away from me, leaning against the brick wall of the building. His mask was still on, covering his face like it always did, like it had become a part of him over time. He was looking down, hands shoved into the pockets of his hoodie, shoulders slightly hunched. The white mask, almost too pristine in the dim light, still managed to make him look… distant. Like he was hiding behind it.
I wanted to know what was behind it.
I wanted to know him.
The feeling had been building since the first time I’d met him. There was something magnetic about Sal, something dark and quiet and real. Something that pulled me in, something that made me feel like I wasn’t just some confused mess in the world. He got me, in a way no one else did.
Taking a deep breath, I stood up and took a step closer to him. My hands were trembling slightly, but I didn’t care. I had to know. I had to see him without the mask. I needed to see the scars, the things I could only imagine lay beneath the surface.
“Hey, Sal,” I said, my voice a little shakier than I intended, but I didn’t look away. “Can I… take it off?” I motioned to the white mask that covered his face.
Sal paused for a second, and I could feel the tension in the air between us, that quiet pull that seemed to stretch every second, every inch closer. He turned to face me, the shadows playing across his features, making it hard to read his expression. But I could see the subtle shift in his eyes, the hesitation there before he gave a slight nod.
“Yeah,” he said quietly, his voice soft. “But… don’t make it weird, okay?”
I smiled, a little breathless, as I reached out to carefully take the mask from his face. It was lighter than I expected, and the smooth surface felt delicate in my hands, almost fragile. I pulled it away slowly, my breath catching in my throat when I finally saw him—really saw him.
Sal’s face was a map of old scars, deep lines and marks that crisscrossed his skin like some kind of road map. His skin was pale, and his eyes had a kind of guarded intensity in them, but they were softer now, open. Vulnerable.
And I… I couldn’t look away.
I swallowed hard, heart pounding in my chest, as my fingers hovered over his face, just an inch away from touching the lines that marred his skin. I had no words for the way it made me feel—seeing him like this. Exposed. Not in a bad way, not at all. It was like a switch had been flipped, something inside me that clicked into place.
“Wow,” I whispered, almost without thinking. “You’re beautiful.” My fingers finally brushed against one of the scars on his cheek, feeling the rough texture of the skin beneath my fingertips.
Sal chuckled, a low, almost nervous sound. “You really think so?” He sounded a little taken aback, but there was a softness to his voice now that made me feel like he wasn’t hiding anymore. Like he didn’t have to pretend.
I nodded, my touch lingering on his skin. “Yeah,” I said softly, my voice steady now. “I think scars are… beautiful. They tell a story. They make you real. They make you… well, you.”
Sal raised an eyebrow, the teasing glint in his eyes returning. “Scars, huh? So you’ve got a thing for them? You like fucked-up faces or something?”
I blinked, my face flushing at the sudden teasing. I hadn’t meant to say all that out loud. “I don’t know,” I mumbled, shrugging, trying to laugh it off. “I guess… I like the rawness of it. The fact that someone’s been through something, and they’ve survived it. I don’t know, maybe it’s a kink or something.” I chuckled nervously, realizing just how much I was rambling.
Sal’s smile widened, and I could see the slight tilt of his head as he studied me, his gaze playful. “A kink for fucked-up faces?” he teased. “So, you like scars? Like mine?”
I bit my lip, feeling my cheeks burn hotter. “Maybe,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I think it’s… hot. The way they show that you’ve been through shit and come out the other side.”
Sal chuckled, low and dark, his fingers brushing against mine. “You’re wild, Sky. I didn’t think you had that kind of thing in you.”
I couldn’t help it. I smiled—genuinely, this time. “You’d be surprised,” I muttered, looking down at the ground for a second. “I’ve got more scars than I like to admit.”
There was a pause, and then Sal’s fingers were under my chin, gently tilting my face back up to meet his eyes. “You don’t have to hide them from me,” he said softly. “Not anymore.”
The words hung in the air between us, and I felt like the world had gone completely still. For a second, it was just me and him, standing there on the roof, with the soft glow of the city lights spilling over us. The mask was gone, and so were the walls. Everything between us felt… open.
I let out a breath, almost too afraid to move. “Can I… kiss you again?” I asked quietly, my voice barely more than a breath. I wasn’t sure where this was going—how far I could push this—but I couldn’t help it. I needed to kiss him again. Needed it.
Sal didn’t say anything at first. But his hand moved from my chin to the back of my neck, pulling me gently toward him. And when our lips met again, it was slow, tentative at first, but with the same kind of urgency I’d felt the first time. Like we were both trying to make sense of everything that had led us here, trying to figure out what this connection really was.
The kiss deepened, and I let myself get lost in it, my hands finding his shoulders, my body leaning into him. The rest of the world faded into the background as I pulled Sal closer, feeling the softness of his skin beneath my fingertips and the heat radiating off of him.
When we pulled away, breathless and a little dizzy, I couldn’t help but smile. “You’re beautiful, Sal,” I whispered. “Scars and all.”
He smiled back, and I saw something in his eyes that made my heart skip. Something raw and real, like he was finally letting me see him—all of him.
“You don’t have to say that,” he murmured, his voice low and a little shy now. “But… I’m glad you think so.”
I rested my forehead against his, closing my eyes for a second, savoring the warmth of him. “I mean it,” I whispered again, even though it didn’t feel like enough.
It was like the rest of the world didn’t exist anymore. Just me and Sal, and the truth of who we were when we were alone.
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I woke up tangled in Sal’s oversized shirt, the soft cotton somehow feeling like a comforting cocoon despite the whirlwind of thoughts in my head. I was still processing everything that happened last night, the sex (gasps), but the first thing that caught my attention was the hot, stinging sensation on my neck.Oh, shit.I didn’t even have to look to know what I was going to find. I already felt it. Red and purple, like a couple of angry bite marks. Hickeys, the kind of marks I had no idea how to explain, especially not to Larry.Before I even thought about getting up, I grabbed the collar of Sal’s shirt and yanked it up to cover the damage. That’s better, I thought, trying to ignore the fact that I was about to have to face the world like this.I tiptoed out of the bed, hoping to get some privacy, but of course, just as I was about to sneak out of the room, I heard Larry’s voice, loud and obnoxious as usual.“Sky! You alive, or are you a corpse at this point? I’m literally starving.”I groaned under my breath. Of course, I thought. Of course Larry’s gonna barge in when I look like this.“Hold on!” I yelled, trying to make myself look somewhat presentable, but it was already too late. The door swung open with all the subtlety of a wrecking ball, and there stood Larry, eyes scanning the room before his gaze landed directly on my neck. I froze.Larry’s mouth dropped open like a cartoon character, and then—oh god—he gasped.“No. No,” he whispered, almost in disbelief.I winced, instinctively trying to pull the collar of Sal’s shirt higher, but it didn’t help. Larry was already fully aware.“Sky… what is that on your neck?!” He practically shrieked, eyes wide like I had just told him I’d been abducted by aliens.“Uh, it’s nothing,” I mumbled, my face turning red as a tomato. “Just… uh, an accident?”Larry took one step closer, squinting like he was trying to read the fine print on a contract. “An accident?” He gasped. “An accident?! Sky, those are hickeys. HICK-EEEEEYS.”I stared at him for a moment, trying to act casual. “Yeah, so?”Larry took a dramatic step back, hands flying up like he was giving up on life. “Oh. My. God. I… I can’t.”“No, seriously, it’s not that big a deal,” I said, trying to calm him down, but Larry was already spiraling like a person who’d just learned their cat could play the piano.“You know how I feel about this!” Larry yelled, pacing in circles. “You were sober, right? Or were you high and acting like a damn soap opera character?! Were you out there on a rooftop, dramatic music playing in the background, while Sal stared at you like he was the emo lead in a Netflix series?!”I tried not to laugh, but Larry was losing it. He was already two seconds away from pulling out a chalkboard and starting some kind of “What’s happening in your life, Sky?” intervention.“Larry, calm down, okay? It’s just a thing that happened,” I said, trying to downplay it.“Just a thing? JUST A THING?!” He froze and stared at me like I had just told him I’d joined a cult. “You… you… got hickeys from Sal! From Sal!!! I mean, why would you do that? What kind of—what kind of situation am I dealing with right now?! This is like if Batman started making out with the Joker! I just—I—I need a drink. I need therapy. I need to just lay down and pretend none of this ever happened.”I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I burst out laughing so hard I almost fell over. Larry’s freak-out was like a train wreck—so over the top that it was impossible not to find it hilarious.“Oh my god, Larry!” I laughed, clutching my stomach. “It’s not that bad! You’re being so dramatic. It’s just… hickeys, okay?”He squinted at me, dead serious. “Just hickeys. Sky. This is literally the opposite of ‘just’ anything. This is ‘sky is now a dramatic teen protagonist in a YA novel and I’m witnessing their full character arc’.”“Oh god, Larry, you need therapy,” I said, shaking my head.“I do! I really do! I’m gonna start taking notes on this experience so I can process it later, okay? I’m putting you both in my ‘What-the-fuck-is-going-on’ folder. That’s the folder that has a permanent spot on my mind map now. And we’re going to need, like, at least a three-session minimum just to get through this.”“I’m not that bad, am I?” I asked, still laughing.“Oh, you’re the worst,” Larry deadpanned. “Like, if I had to give you a rating, I’d give you two out of five stars for ‘handling your life’, and that’s a generous score.”“Well, I’m glad you’re here for moral support, Larry,” I said sarcastically, still smiling.Larry put his hands on his hips, clearly exhausted by the emotional rollercoaster he’d just been dragged through. “Honestly? I don’t know if I’m emotionally stable enough for this friendship anymore. But I’ll keep you around for the sheer chaos. I mean, what’s next? Are you two gonna start a band together and write a song about your angst?”“Maybe,” I said, throwing him a grin. “I could see it. Sal’s definitely got the angsty vibe down.”Larry’s eyes widened again, and then he groaned. “I can’t with you two. I need a drink. I’m going to get coffee. I need caffeine to deal with this level of dysfunction.”I waved him off, laughing again as he stumbled out of the room, muttering to himself about needing a therapist and probably a vacation.
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Sal’s words were still ringing in my head when I stormed into the apartment.“You think this is some kind of game, Sky? Like it’s just fun for you to keep me guessing? Newsflash: I don’t want to be another thing you can take or leave when it gets hard!”I slammed the door behind me and kicked my sneakers off with more force than necessary. Larry peeked out from the kitchen, holding a tub of cookie dough.“Oh boy. Someone’s on a warpath,” he said, licking a spoon.“Not now, Larry,” I snapped, collapsing onto the couch.He set the cookie dough down and came to sit next to me. “What happened?”I groaned and threw an arm over my eyes. “Sal happened.”“Well, that narrows it down,” Larry said. “What’d he do this time? Get all broody and mysterious because he secretly wants you to say you love him?”My silence must have said it all, because Larry gasped. “No way. Did you guys actually fight about feelings?”“He thinks I’m not serious about us,” I said bitterly.Larry frowned. “Are you?”I shot him a look, but his expression didn’t budge. “Yes, Larry. I am. But he doesn’t believe me because I’m not, I don’t know, hanging ‘I Love Sal’ banners all over the place.”“Would you, though?” he asked, smirking.“Stop.”Larry leaned back, crossing his arms. “Well, are you just going to sit here and sulk, or are you going to fix it?”“I’m not fixing anything,” I said firmly. “If he wants to think the worst of me, that’s his problem.”Larry groaned. “You two are impossible.”“Then stay out of it,” I snapped.“Yeah, no. You’re both ruining my peace,” Larry said, standing up. “So here’s what we’re going to do. You’re both coming out tonight, and you’re going to talk like normal human beings who don’t let unresolved sexual tension destroy their lives.”“I’m not going anywhere,” I muttered.“Oh, you are,” Larry said, grabbing his phone. “You don’t have a choice. I’m texting Sal right now.”“Larry—”“Too late,” he said, hitting send.Two hours later, I found myself at the bar, sandwiched between Larry and the promise of a terrible night. Sal was already there when we arrived, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and an expression like he’d rather be anywhere else.“Great. We’re all here,” Larry said brightly, ignoring the tension radiating off both of us. “Now, let’s get drinks and pretend we’re functional adults.”I avoided looking at Sal as we ordered, focusing on the ridiculous playlist blaring through the speakers. Larry, of course, took it upon himself to bridge the awkward silence.“So, Sal, did you know Sky used to have a pet turtle named Skittles?” Larry said loudly.Sal raised an eyebrow. “No, I didn’t.”“Yeah, Sky cried for three days when it ran away.”“Turtles don’t run, Larry,” I muttered.“Fine, it walked away. Whatever.”Sal’s lips twitched, but he didn’t say anything.“Anyway,” Larry said, grinning. “The point is, you two need to stop being moody idiots and actually have fun for once. So, I’ve got a plan.”I groaned. “Larry, no—”“Yes,” he interrupted. “We’re doing karaoke.”Sal blinked. “What?”“Karaoke. You know, singing badly in front of strangers? It’s therapeutic. And you two clearly need therapy.”“I’m not singing,” Sal said flatly.“Neither am I,” I added.Larry rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll go first. But after that, no excuses.”By the time Larry finished his over-the-top rendition of Livin’ on a Prayer, the entire bar was cheering, and I had to admit it was impossible not to laugh.“Your turn,” Larry said, pointing at me.“No way.”“Sky,” he said warningly.I sighed, dragging myself to the stage. I picked a song at random—some 90s ballad that was more shouting than singing—and tried not to die of embarrassment.When it was Sal’s turn, Larry practically dragged him up there. Sal glared at him but finally relented, choosing a moody indie song that somehow suited him perfectly.By the end of the night, we weren’t exactly back to normal, but at least we weren’t actively glaring at each other anymore.“See?” Larry said as we left. “Karaoke fixes everything.”I shot him a look. “Don’t push it.”But I caught Sal’s eye, and for the first time all night, he smiled. It was small, barely there, but it was enough to make me wonder if maybe, just maybe, we’d figure this out after all.
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The silence between Sal and me lingered like a heavy fog as we walked back to the apartment. Larry hummed some off-key version of his karaoke song, blissfully unaware—or maybe just ignoring—the tension that still hadn’t fully thawed.“You two better thank me later,” he chirped. “I just saved this friendship and your romantic angst arc. You’re welcome.”I rolled my eyes. “Larry, you made me butcher a 90s ballad in front of a crowd. You’re lucky I don’t sue you for emotional distress.”“You’re fine,” he said, waving me off. “And you,” he added, turning to Sal, “you didn’t look half as broody while you were singing. Progress!”Sal didn’t answer, his hands shoved deep in his jacket pockets.“Great. Love the energy here,” Larry muttered, shooting me a look that screamed fix this.We reached the apartment building, and as Larry unlocked the door, he turned back to us. “Alright, kids, I’m clocking out. No more therapist duties for me tonight. You two can either talk it out or awkwardly avoid each other forever. Your choice.”“Thanks for the support,” I said dryly.“You’re welcome,” he replied, grinning before disappearing into his room.Sal leaned against the wall in the living room, his gaze fixed somewhere just past me. I hovered near the couch, unsure if I should sit or bolt for my own room.Finally, I broke the silence. “You didn’t have to come tonight.”His eyes flicked to mine. “Larry wasn’t exactly giving me a choice.”“Yeah, he does that,” I muttered.Another beat of silence. I crossed my arms, trying to ward off the uncomfortable vulnerability clawing at my chest. “Look, about earlier…”“I don’t want to rehash it,” Sal interrupted, his tone sharper than I expected.I flinched, but my own frustration bubbled up to match his. “Fine. But for the record, I wasn’t trying to mess with you.”His jaw tightened. “Then what were you trying to do, Sky? Because from where I’m standing, it sure as hell felt like you were keeping me at arm’s length.”“I wasn’t!” I shot back. “I just—look, I don’t know how to do this, okay? Whatever this is between us, it’s new for me. I’m trying.”“Trying?” he repeated, his voice low. “Sky, you act like I’m asking for some grand declaration or for you to move mountains. I just want to feel like I’m not the only one putting myself out there.”I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came. Because, deep down, I knew he was right.Sal sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Forget it. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”“No,” I said quickly, taking a step closer. “You’re not wrong. I’ve been… guarded, I guess. But it’s not because I don’t care. I do.”He looked at me then, his dark eyes searching mine for something—truth, maybe, or an apology. I wasn’t sure if he found it, but he nodded slightly.“Okay,” he said quietly.That one word hung in the air, heavy with everything unspoken. It wasn’t a resolution, but it felt like a truce.An hour later, I found myself in the kitchen, nursing a glass of water and replaying the conversation in my head. Larry appeared, his hair disheveled from lying on the couch.“You two still brooding?” he asked, leaning against the counter.“We talked,” I said.“And?”“And… it’s complicated,” I admitted.Larry groaned. “You two are going to be the death of me. But at least you’re not actively ignoring each other anymore. Progress!”I smirked. “You already said that.”“Yeah, well, I’m an optimist,” he said with a wink.As I headed to bed, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this thing with Sal was far from over. But maybe, just maybe, we’d find a way to meet in the middle.
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The apartment was dark except for the soft glow of Sal’s room down the hall. I stood outside his door, heart pounding in my chest. I’d spent the last hour replaying our fight, dissecting every word, every look, and every beat of silence.I’d been an idiot.It wasn’t just that I’d kept him at arm’s length—I’d pushed him away, even when he was trying to be there for me. And now, I was terrified I’d pushed too far.Taking a deep breath, I knocked lightly on his door.“Yeah?” came his voice, low and cautious.“It’s me,” I said. “Can I come in?”There was a pause, then the faint sound of footsteps. The door opened, and there he was, standing in a worn t-shirt and sweatpants, his hair slightly messy like he’d been lying down.“What’s up?” he asked, his tone guarded but not unkind.I hesitated. “Can we talk?”He stepped aside, letting me in. His room smelled like cigarettes and the faint trace of cologne. I perched on the edge of his bed, nervously fiddling with the hem of my shirt as he leaned against his desk, arms crossed.“I owe you an apology,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper.Sal raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, waiting for me to continue.“You were right,” I said, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I’ve been… distant. And it’s not because I don’t care about you. I do. More than I’ve been willing to admit, even to myself.”His expression softened, but he didn’t say anything, so I pressed on.“I’ve never done this before,” I admitted. “Letting someone in like this—it scares the hell out of me. And I guess I thought if I kept things… casual, or didn’t let myself get too attached, it’d be easier. Safer.”“Safer?” he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief.I nodded. “Yeah. But the truth is, I’ve only been making it harder. On you. On me. On whatever this is between us. And I’m sorry for that.”Sal let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair. “Sky… you don’t have to have it all figured out. I’m not asking for that. I just need to know that I matter to you. That I’m not the only one who—”“You’re not,” I interrupted, standing up. “You’re not the only one. I promise.”He looked at me then, really looked at me, and I felt the tension between us crackle like static electricity. I took a hesitant step closer, my heart in my throat.“I’m scared, Sal,” I admitted. “But I don’t want to lose you because of it.”For a moment, neither of us moved. Then, slowly, he reached out, his hand brushing against mine.“You’re not gonna lose me,” he said softly.The words hung in the air, and before I could overthink it, I closed the distance between us, grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him into a kiss.It started gentle, hesitant, like we were testing the waters. But then his arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer, and all the tension from the past few days melted away. The kiss deepened, raw and electric, and I could feel the heat of his frustration, his relief, his everything in the way he held me.When we finally broke apart, both of us breathless, he rested his forehead against mine.“You’re really bad at apologizing,” Sal murmured, his lips twitching into the faintest of smirks.I laughed softly, still holding onto him. “Yeah, I know. I’m better at making up.”“You better be,” he teased, though his tone was warm now, the edge of hurt and anger gone.We stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other, the weight of the fight finally lifting.“Do you think Larry will forgive us for dragging him into this?” I asked after a beat, my voice muffled against his chest.Sal chuckled, his fingers absentmindedly running through my hair. “Knowing Larry, he’s probably already written a screenplay about it.”“Probably,” I agreed, grinning.Sal pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes. “Let’s try this again, yeah? No walls. No games. Just… us.”I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Yeah. Just us.”And as he kissed me again, slow and sure, I felt something I hadn’t in a long time—hope. For the first time, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, this could work.
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The moment couldn’t have been better. Sal Fisher’s lips brushed mine as we tumbled onto his bed, his oversized shirt still draped over me like a makeshift blanket of bad decisions. For once, there was no drama, no Larry, no awkwardness—just me, Sal, and the low hum of whatever indie music he always had playing in the background.But, of course, Larry was lurking somewhere nearby.“SKY! SAL!” Larry’s unmistakably shrill voice echoed through the apartment, followed by the distinct thud-thud-thud of his stomping feet.Sal groaned, breaking the kiss just long enough to mutter, “Kill me.”Before I could respond, the door flew open with the force of a SWAT team raid. Larry stood in the doorway, wide-eyed and scandalized, holding what looked like a cup of coffee he had clearly not earned the right to enjoy.“Oh. My. GOD!” he screeched, slamming a hand over his eyes like he’d walked into a live crime scene. “What the hell is this?! What are you two even doing?! Actually, no—DON’T TELL ME!”I froze, horrified, still half-pinned under Sal. Sal, meanwhile, just rolled off me, dragging a blanket over his head like he was trying to will himself invisible.“Larry,” I said, sitting up and trying to salvage whatever shred of dignity I had left. “Maybe knock next time?”Larry yanked his hand off his face, pointing dramatically at us like some kind of unhinged prosecutor. “You can’t just do stuff like this when I’m in the house! This is my safe space, Sky! MY sanctuary! And you’ve defiled it!”Sal groaned under the blanket. “Larry, get out.”“I WOULD, but now I’m traumatized!” Larry howled. “Do you know what this does to a person?! I’m going to need years of therapy. YEARS!”Then it got worse.“Larry, what’s all the yelling about?”Sal went stiff as a board. I think I stopped breathing. Because standing in the hallway, looking mildly annoyed and very dad-like, was none other than Sal Fisher’s dad.“Dad, no—” Sal started, practically falling off the bed in his scramble to stop him, but it was too late. Mr. Fisher stepped into the room, tall and intimidating, his sharp eyes scanning the scene like a detective putting together a case.He looked at me, tangled in Sal’s blanket, and then at Sal, who was halfway to death by embarrassment. His eyebrow arched.“Sal,” Mr. Fisher said, his voice calm but absolutely terrifying. “Care to explain this?”I panicked. “Hi!” I said, shooting up like a toaster pastry on a mission. I stuck out my hand like I was in a job interview. “Sky. Uh, Sky Miller. Nice to meet you, Mr. Fisher!”Sal’s dad stared at my hand like it had personally insulted him. “Right,” he said flatly, not shaking it.Sal groaned again, dragging a pillow over his face. “Dad, it’s not—this isn’t—Larry made it worse!”“ME?!” Larry gasped, clutching his chest like he was a wounded soldier. “How is this my fault? I walked in and got assaulted by the vibes! I’m the victim here!”Mr. Fisher’s gaze didn’t waver. “Sal, why is your roommate screaming about vibes? And why,” he added, glancing pointedly at me, “does this… person look like they just fell out of your bed?”“It’s not what it looks like!” I blurted out, even though it was exactly what it looked like.Larry, now thoroughly enjoying himself, leaned dramatically against the doorframe. “Oh, it’s exactly what it looks like. Trust me, Mr. Fisher, I’m just as horrified as you are.”“Larry, SHUT UP!” Sal shouted, sitting up and yanking the blanket over his head again.Mr. Fisher pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, “This kid is going to give me a heart attack.” He pointed at Sal. “We’re going to have a very long conversation about this later.”He turned on his heel and left the room with all the authority of a man who’d seen too much.And just when I thought it was over—just when I thought we could salvage some dignity—Larry leaned into the room again, a sly grin on his face.“You know,” he said casually, “this is technically my fault for not teaching you guys how to lock a door. So, you’re welcome.”Sal grabbed a pillow and launched it at him. “GET OUT!”Larry dodged it with a laugh, his coffee spilling just a little. “You two are my favorite disaster,” he said as he disappeared into the hallway. “Oh, and Sky? Great first impression with the in-laws!”I buried my face in my hands as Sal flopped back onto the bed.“Well,” I mumbled. “At least I didn’t die.”Sal peeked out from under the blanket, his face a mix of mortification and exhaustion. “I wish I had.”