the thing about love.

|19| f o u n d a t i o n s.

ℕ𝕆𝕋𝔼(𝕊):
💌

- hey, hey!! 🫶🏾

- whew, this may be the longest chapter i've written for this story but, i'ma go ahead and let y'all have at it! 🍿

- hope you enjoy 🫠

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SOUTHERN CAL CAMPUS
LAYLA'S APARTMENT
SUNDAY
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Jordan yawned, the early morning light shimmering along his face. As he blinked his eyes open, the unfamiliar surroundings and the warmth beside him made his heart race. He turned his head slowly and saw Layla lying beside him, her hair spread out like a halo on the pillow, her face peaceful in sleep.

He sat up carefully, glancing around at their discarded clothes on the floor. His mind replayed flashes of the night after Layla's invitation inside; the two of them sharing cake, laughter as their conversations flowed, and how she looked at him with those intense, captivating eyes — ultimately leading to their lips meeting in a rush of passion.

The memories were vivid as he still felt the effect of her skin against his. Intoxicating, and suddenly overwhelming.

There was a knot of anxiety tightening in his chest. This wasn't just any girl; This was his friend, someone he was starting to care more about. The line they had crossed now felt like an insurmountable chasm, and he wasn't sure how to bridge it.

Quietly, Jordan eased himself out of bed, careful not to wake her. Every creak of the floor seemed magnified in the silence of the early morning. He gathered his clothes hastily, dressing as quickly and silently as he could. He pulled on his shirt before glancing back at Layla, her serene expression almost making him second-guess his decision to leave.

But the uncertainty of the unknown pushed him forward. He needed time to think, to figure out what this could mean, and how to handle it. His mind was a whirlpool of emotions, and staying would only drown him in more confusion.

He reached the door and took one last look at her, a pang of guilt hit him as he saw her stir slightly, her hand reaching out to the space beside her. With a heavy heart, he turned the knob and slipped out of the apartment, the door closing softly behind him.

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SOUTHERN CAL CAMPUS
SPENCER'S APARTMENT
WEDNESDAY
******

The living room buzzed with the soft hum of a video game, its digital soundscape interwoven with bursts of Kai's infectious laughter. He and his dad sprawled out on the couch, surrounded by the remains of their day's adventures.

Kai, adjusting his small frame against the cushion, glanced up at his dad with wide, determined eyes. His tiny hands gripped the controller, his tongue peeking out in concentration as he mimicked every move his dad made on the screen. Though his controller wasn't connected, it didn't matter—he was fully immersed, every button pressed accompanied by an intense focus, convinced that he was just as involved in the game's epic battle as his dad was.

A grin tugged at the corners of Spencer's mouth. The sight of Kai's fierce determination, the way his tiny fingers jabbed at the buttons with purpose, amused him. Every so often, he couldn't help but chuckle softly, marveling at how seriously his mini-twin took his role in their imaginary competition.