Streetlight Serenade

Crossroads

Ain't been able to think straight since that night with Laila. My mind's been all over the place—on her, on the streets, on the fools tryna creep into my territory. I know I should be locked in, should be makin' sure everything's runnin' smooth, but she's takin' up space in my head, and it's throwin' me off my game.

D hit me up, tellin' me we got some new players tryna make moves, but all I can think 'bout is Laila. I ain't seen her since that night. Gave her space, like I figured she needed, but it's killin' me. I wanna see her, make sure she's alright. But I also know I gotta keep her outta this. Keep her safe.

"Ayo, Rico, you good?" D's voice snaps me back to reality.

I look up, see him watchin' me close, brows furrowed like he's tryna figure out what's on my mind.

"Yeah, I'm good," I lie, tryin' to sound more sure than I feel.

"You don't seem like it, man. You been off lately. What's goin' on?"

I shrug, tryna brush it off. "Just got a lot on my plate. Streets heatin' up, you know how it is."

D ain't buyin' it, but he don't press no more. I know he can tell somethin's up, but this ain't the time to get into it.

We go back to talkin' business, but my mind ain't in it. All I can see is Laila, her lips, her body pressed up against mine, the way she made me feel like I was doin' somethin' right for the first time in a long time. And that's dangerous. I can't afford distractions like that, not with the streets gettin' hotter by the day.

Later that night, I roll through the block, makin' sure everything's cool. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and when I pull it out, my heart jumps. It's her.

I hesitate for a second before answerin'. "Yo."

There's a pause, and for a moment, I think she's gonna hang up. But then I hear her breathin' on the other end.

"Rico..."

Her voice is soft, hesitant, and it hits me right in the chest. "Laila. You good?"

"I don't know," she admits, her voice low. "Can we talk?"

My heart's poundin' now, but I try to play it cool. "Yeah, of course. Where you at?"

"The park," she says, and I know exactly where she is. The spot we used to chill at when we was kids.

"I'm on my way."

I hang up, my mind racin'. I don't know what this conversation's gonna bring, but I know one thing—I ain't lettin' her go without a fight. Not this time.