𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗦 - tayo amusan

𝟭

Amara sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the ceiling of her small room. The sounds of South London filtered through her window—cars passing by, distant chatter, the hum of life continuing outside. Yet, her world felt static, as if time had paused since Craig went to jail. The vibrant streets that once seemed so full of possibility now felt empty and cold.

She missed her brother terribly. Craig had always been her rock, the one she could rely on no matter what. With their father gone and their mother constantly away, Craig and Aliyah had become her parental figures. But now, with Craig behind bars, everything felt different.

A gentle knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts. "Come in," she called softly.

The door creaked open, and Aliyah stepped in, her presence a mix of strength and warmth. "Hey, you okay?" she asked, sitting down beside Amara.

"I guess," Amara replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know i just miss him, you know?"

Aliyah sighed, wrapping an arm around her sister. "I know, we all do. But we have to stay strong for him. And for each other."

Amara nodded, leaning into Aliyah's embrace. As much as she loved her sister, and shared an amazing bond with her, it didn't compare to the bond her and her brother had. Craig understood her in ways no one else could.

Later that day, Amara decided to take a walk, hoping the fresh air would clear her mind. She wandered through the familiar streets, her thoughts drifting. Before she realized it, she found herself near Tayo's place. Tayo had been Craig's friend and had a deep respect for him, almost like an older brother figure.

Amara hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door. It swung open, revealing Tayo's surprised face. "Amara? What you doing here?"

"I needed to get out of the house," she admitted. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah come in" Tayo replied, his calm demeanor drawing her in as he stepped aside. The familiarity of his place brought a small comfort. She remembered visiting a few times with Craig, though she had always been more of an observer, not really part of their world.

They sat down in the living room, a comfortable silence settling between them. Tayo's grandmother, who had looked after him after his mother was taken away, was in the kitchen , humming softly as she prepared dinner. Tayo looked at Amara, concern etched on his face. "How you holding up?"

"It's been hard," Amara confessed. "I feel so...lost without Craig. It's like part of me is missing."

Tayo nodded, his demeanor steady and eyes gentle. "He was like a brother to me too. But don't worry, I promise we'll get through this, Amara. Together."

"Really? You think so?" she asked, her voice tinged with hope.

"Yeah, man. Plus, you've got me now," he said with a teasing grin. "I'm not just a pretty face, you know."

Amara laughed lightly. "Right, because hanging out with you is such a wild adventure."

"Oi, don't underestimate my charm," Tayo shot back, a playful spark in his eyes. "I've got street cred and good vibes."

They spent the afternoon talking, sharing stories about Craig, laughing at memories that felt distant now. Amara noticed how Tayo's eyes softened when he looked at her, his usual cool demeanor shifting.

As the sun began to set, Tayo's grandmother called them for dinner. Amara helped set the table, feeling a sense of normalcy she hadn't experienced in a while. Tayo joined in, their hands brushing occasionally as they placed the plates and utensils. Each touch sent a small jolt through Amara, making her heart race.