𝐑𝐡𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐦 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 • 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐈 𝐎𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐀

✿ Chapter 2: Rooftop Confessions ✿

Aliyah found herself thinking about Notti more than she wanted to admit. His cocky smile, the way he held the crowd in the palm of his hand—there was something about him that stuck with her. A few days later, as she was finishing her rehearsal, her phone buzzed.

"Rooftop. 9PM. Dont Cap."

"Who dis?" Aliyah Replied

"Yo favorite Dayroom rapper ma" Notti replied.

   "What makes you think ima come up there" Aliyah Clocked him

"I just know. See u there at 9, Dont make me wait word to my mother" .

Aliyah smiled at the message from Notti. After making him wait and being late for 10 minutes, she slipped out of her apartment and climbed the fire escape to the roof he mentioned.

When she reached the top, Notti was there, leaning against the edge of the building, the city lights flickering below. He turned when he heard her footsteps and smirked.

"Thought you was gon' front, ma," he said, his voice casual, but his eyes gave him away.

Aliyah walked up next to him, arms crossed. "I don't front. You should know that by now."

Notti chuckled, his eyes still on her. "Yeah, I'm startin' to see that. You different, Aliyah."

"Different how?" she asked, turning to face him.

"You ain't like these other girls out here. Most of 'em just tryna get put on, but you? You don't even care who I am."

Aliyah smirked. "You just another rapper, right?"

Notti's grin faltered for a second, then he shook his head. "Nah, don't do that. You know I'm more than that."

Aliyah sighed, leaning against the railing. "Yeah, I know. You nice with it, I ain't gon' lie. But life's hard, Notti. This city'll eat you alive if you ain't careful."

Notti looked out at the city, his expression serious now. "You think I don't know that? Word to my mother, I'm out here every day, tryna survive. You think this music shit is a joke to me?"

Aliyah softened, seeing the tension in his jaw. "Nah, I don't think it's a joke. But it's scary, right? Blowin' up means you got more to lose."

Notti glanced at her, surprised at how she just got it. "Yeah, on my dead, that's facts. It's like... everybody want somethin' from me now, and I ain't even where I wanna be yet. You feel me?"

Aliyah nodded. "I feel you. But you got this, Notti. You just gotta stay true to yourself. Don't let nobody change who you are."

Notti smiled softly at her. "You always know what to say, ma. Deadass."

She felt her cheeks warm at the way he looked at her, like she was the only one who saw through all the noise. They stood in silence for a while, watching the city below them.

"Ayo, let's get outta here," Notti said suddenly, pulling out his phone. "I'm tryna show you somethin'."

Aliyah frowned. "Where we goin'?"

"Trust me. You down?"

She hesitated for a second but then nodded. "Yeah, I'm down."

They hopped off the roof and headed toward a hidden spot by the river that only locals knew about. As they sat by the water, the sounds of the city faded, replaced by the quiet hum of the night.

"I used to come here with my brothers," Notti said quietly, his voice serious now. "When life got too crazy, we'd just chill here, talk about shit. Word to my mother, this spot kept me sane."

Aliyah looked at him, her heart tightening at the vulnerability in his voice. "What happened to them?"

Notti's face hardened. "They locked up. The Streets took em', like it take everybody if you ain't careful."

Aliyah didn't say anything, but she reached out and took his hand. Notti looked at her, surprised by the gesture, but he didn't pull away.

"Thanks, ma," he said softly. "You real for that."

Aliyah squeezed his hand. "I got you, Notti. Always."