Sane

chapter 6

August 12,2016
Brookhaven, New York

Dezmon POV

*Standing by Niya's locker .*

*Niya walks up .*

"You ready ?An how long does it take you to make it home ?"

"Normally I drive but the car has been messing up lately.An it takes about 15 minutes."Said Niya

"Thanks for walking with me," Niya said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've just had so much shit on my mind lately."

"Oh, for real? Tell me about it," I replied, wanting to break through the wall she had built around herself. "I can tell you've been a lot more quiet than usual."

She lightly smiled, and I felt a flicker of hope. It was nice to know that she appreciated my concern.

"I just... I don't want to burden you with my problems," she admitted, looking down at her feet as we walked.

"Hey, you're not a burden. I care about you," I reassured her. "Whatever it is, I'm here to listen."

She took a deep breath, and for a moment, I thought she might open up. Instead, she changed the subject, asking about my weekend plans. But that's okay; I knew she'd share when she was ready. Just knowing that she felt comfortable enough to walk with me meant a lot.

As we approached her house, I felt a sense of determination. I wanted to be there for her, no matter what it took. "Let's hang out this weekend," I suggested. "Can I get your number?"

"Yeah that sounds good,and the number is 256-780-1964." she replied, her smile returning more genuinely this time.

As we said our goodbyes, I couldn't shake the feeling that our bond was growing stronger. Even in silence, there was something comforting about being together—something that reminded me that we didn't have to face our struggles alone.

~~~

Niya POV

"Asia," I yelled out but received no response . I shook her ,and at that moment I knew .
I found a letter that she had written me on her nightstand.After reading it I sat there, tears streaming down my face as I clutched the letter. Asia's words echoed in my mind, a mix of love and heartbreak. She knew about my struggles with depression, bipolar disorder,and even in her final moments, she was thinking of me, urging me not to let Dezmon slip away.

The room felt colder, emptier without her presence. Memories flooded back—her laughter, her strength despite everything she faced. I wished I had known, had seen the signs earlier. But now, all I could do was hold onto her words and promise to cherish the love and memories we shared.

As the ambulance arrived, I knew my life would never be the same. Yet, in the midst of this overwhelming grief, I felt a glimmer of determination. For Asia's sake, I would try to find strength in the days ahead and keep her spirit alive in my heart.

~~~
Dezmon POV

After walking Niya home, I headed to the hood to make a couple of drops. The streets were familiar, a mix of chaos and camaraderie that I'd grown up with. As I moved through the neighborhood, I kept my focus sharp, making sure each transaction was quick and smooth.

Despite the routine nature of the job, my mind kept drifting back to Niya. Her quiet strength and the weight she carried made me want to be better, to find a way out of this cycle. I knew she was dealing with so much, and it made me realize how important it was to be someone she could rely on.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the pavement, I finished my last drop and took a moment to breathe. The hustle was necessary, but it wasn't everything. There had to be more—more for me, more for Niya. With that thought in mind, I headed home, determined to figure out what that "more" could be.