Dangerously In Love

7.

Fatima slipped into the dimly lit house, careful not to disturb Papa Lu, who was peacefully asleep on the couch. He had on his oxygen mask, so she decided it was best to let him rest. If the couch was where he decided to crash, who was she to disturb him? Quietly, she made her way upstairs to Zac's room, where he lay sprawled across the bed.

After changing out of her clothes and into one of his oversized T-shirts, she approached the bed and gently nudged him. "Zac, make some room for me." He remained unmoving. "I could have just gone home..." she muttered under her breath.

"ZAC!" she called out, half-yelling, which jolted him awake. She couldn't help but giggle at his sleepy scowl. "Fatima, just lay your ass down, man," he said, lifting the covers for her.

"Well, I was trying to, but you were hogging the entire bed," she replied as she settled in beside him.

"Fatima, stop messing with me. Why are you all the way over there?" he said, pulling her closer into his embrace. He nestled against her, resting his head in the crook of her neck, and quickly drifted back to sleep. She smiled, shaking her head at how adorable he was, and adjusted herself to get comfortable.

Lying there, she stared blankly at the ceiling for a while, her mind wandering. She thought about the night at the club, the tension with Sabrina, and the pressures from her family. Growing up in a family where secrets were currency, trust didn't come easily. Eventually, boredom set in, and she decided to playfully annoy Zac. Turning in his arms, she found herself face-to-face with him and began peppering kisses all over his face, intentionally avoiding his lips. "Come on, man..." he grumbled, still half-asleep.

"Nooo, Zac... wake up, I'm bored," she pouted, but he kept his eyes shut. "Zacharyyyy..." she called out again.

"I'm awake, Fatima, damn," he replied, eyes still closed.

"Open your eyes and stop calling me that," she said, and he finally obliged, squinting at her through the dim light.

"Why aren't you asleep, snooks?" he asked, ready to drift off again.

"Because I'm not sleepy," she shrugged. "Stay up and talk to me." He sighed and rolled over onto his back, making space for her. She rested her head on his chest, gazing up at him.

"What do you want to talk about, snooks?"

"Hmmm, how about you tell me something about yourself?" she suggested, a smile creeping on her face. He chuckled, shaking his head. "You already know everything about me."

"So, remind me," she replied with a playful shrug. He closed his eyes again.

"Ask away, snooks..."

"Okay, when's your birthday?"

"Fatima, you know my birthday," he said, giving her a blank stare. He sat up, causing her head to drop into his lap, while she sat up, crossing her legs in front of her. "How about we talk about you? I know the basics while you know everything about me. You always dodge the conversation."

Fatima was always careful about sharing details of her life, a habit ingrained in her from a young age. Only her closest friends and family knew the real her. Growing up in her environment taught her that trust was a luxury, especially with the threats that lingered around her family. She turned over, lying down. "See, just like you're doing now!" he pointed out.