Sane

Chapter.28

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**Dezmon POV**

As the warm water cascaded down our bodies, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. The chaos of the night faded into the background, replaced by the comforting presence of Niya beside me. After we finished showering, I wrapped a towel around my waist and stepped out into the steam-filled bathroom, my mind racing with thoughts of how to keep this moment going.

"How about we watch a movie and smoke a blunt?" I suggested, glancing back at Niya with a grin. "We don't have anything to do right now, and it feels like the perfect way to unwind."

Her eyes lit up at the idea, and I could see her excitement mirrored in her smile. "That sounds great!" she replied, her voice brightening the room.

"Awesome," I said, feeling a rush of enthusiasm. "I'll go grab the snacks while you set everything up."

I quickly made my way to the kitchen, my heart still racing from our earlier moments together. I rummaged through the cabinets, pulling out popcorn, some candy, and a couple of sodas. As I gathered everything, I couldn't help but think about how much had changed in such a short time. Niya and I were no longer just friends; we had crossed a line that felt both exhilarating and terrifying.

With snacks in hand, I headed back to the living room where Niya was already arranging pillows and blankets on the couch. The sight of her made my heart skip a beat. She looked so relaxed and happy, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment.

"Got everything!" I announced as I set the snacks down on the coffee table. "What movie are we watching?"

Niya looked up at me with a playful smile. "How about something fun? Maybe a comedy?"

"Perfect choice," I replied, grabbing my lighter and rolling papers from my pocket. "Let's get cozy and enjoy ourselves."

As we settled in on the couch, I lit up the blunt and took a deep drag before passing it to her. The familiar warmth spread through me as we shared laughs and stories, letting the stress of the night melt away. This was exactly what we needed—a moment to breathe and just be together.

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**Niya POV**

After the movie ended, I felt a warm glow from the laughter and the shared moments we had just experienced. The atmosphere was relaxed, but I wanted to keep that connection alive. "Hey, Dezmon," I said, turning to him with a playful smile. "Can you show me how to roll a blunt? I've always wanted to learn."

Dezmon raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "You want to learn from the master?" he teased, but there was a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "Alright, let's do this."

He reached for the rolling papers and the stash we had set aside earlier. As he demonstrated, his hands moved with practiced ease, showing me how to break up the weed evenly and distribute it along the paper. I watched intently, my focus entirely on him. The way he explained each step made it feel almost like an art form.

"Here," he said, handing me the paper after he had rolled one himself. "Just remember to keep it tight but not too tight. You want it to burn evenly."

I took a deep breath and began to follow his instructions. My fingers worked carefully as I broke up the weed and laid it out. With each movement, I felt more confident, and before long, I was rolling it up with surprising finesse. Dezmon watched me with an encouraging smile, and I could feel a sense of pride swelling within me.

"Look at you! That's perfect!" he exclaimed as I finished rolling my first blunt. I beamed at him, feeling accomplished.

"Thanks! This is actually kind of fun," I replied, feeling a rush of excitement as I lit it up and took my first drag. The smoke filled my lungs and flowed out in a smooth exhale.

As the music started playing softly in the background—an R&B track featuring Bryson Tiller—I felt myself getting lost in the rhythm. The smooth melodies wrapped around us like a warm embrace, enhancing the cozy atmosphere we had created.

But then, as I settled back against the couch, my thoughts drifted unexpectedly to my sister. A wave of nostalgia washed over me, bringing with it memories that felt both sweet and painful. We used to listen to music like this together, laughing and dancing around our living room without a care in the world.

Suddenly, a tear slipped down my cheek, catching me off guard. It fell silently onto my lap as I recalled all those good times—the late-night talks about our dreams, her infectious laughter that could light up any room, and how she always knew how to make me smile even on my worst days.

Dezmon must have noticed because he turned to me with concern etched on his face. "Niya? Are you okay?"

I wiped my tear quickly but couldn't hide the emotion in my voice. "Yeah... just thinking about my sister."

He nodded understandingly and reached over to squeeze my hand gently. "It's okay to miss her," he said softly. "You have every right to feel that way."

I took a deep breath, grateful for his presence and support. "Thanks for being here," I murmured, feeling comforted by his words.

As the song played on, I let myself linger in those memories for just a moment longer—cherishing them while also allowing myself to feel the weight of loss. But with Dezmon by my side, I felt a flicker of hope that maybe things would get better; that maybe I could find joy again amidst the sadness.

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