Sane

chapter 19

Brookhaven, New York

Niya POV

I looked at Dezmon, understanding the weight he was carrying. The plan to take down his boss was consuming all our thoughts and energy, leaving little room for anything else, including school. But we both knew that completing this mission before graduation was crucial—not just for our safety, but for our future.

"Listen," I said, trying to reassure him. "I know it's overwhelming, but we have to stay focused. Once this is over, we can finally breathe and move on with our lives."

Dezmon nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "You're right," he admitted. "We need to get this done so we can start fresh."

We spent the next few hours going over every detail of the plan, making sure nothing was left to chance. We mapped out each step carefully , assigning roles and setting deadlines. It was a risky task,but with careful planning and trust in each other, I believed we could succeed.

As the night wore on, Dezmon and I found a renewed sense of determination. Graduation wasn't just an academic milestone anymore; it symbolized freedom and a new beginning. We were committed to seeing this through, knowing that once it was all behind us, we could finally embrace the future we'd been dreaming of.

"Let's do this," I said, meeting his gaze with confidence. "Together."

Dezmon smiled, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "Together," he echoed. And with that, we returned to our preparations, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Dezmon stepped out of the shower, steam billowing around him as he wrapped a towel around his waist. The day had been long and fraught with tension, but now, as the evening settled in, he felt a momentary sense of calm. He ran a hand through his damp hair, trying to shake off the lingering stress of their earlier discussions.

"Hey, Niya," he called from the bathroom doorway, his voice carrying a mix of weariness and warmth. "How about we watch a movie and then get some sleep? We've got school in the morning."

I looked up from the notes I'd been revisiting for what felt like the hundredth time that day. The idea of unwinding with a movie sounded like exactly what I needed. "That sounds great," I replied with a smile. "What do you have in mind?"

Dezmon shrugged as he walked over to the couch, his presence bringing a comforting familiarity to the room. "I was thinking maybe that new horror flick? I heard it's pretty good and might be just the thing to take our minds off everything for a bit."

I chuckled softly, appreciating his attempt to lighten the mood. "Perfect. I could use a good scare to distract me from all this planning."

As Dezmon fumbled with the remote, I grabbed a couple of blankets from the closet and tossed one over to him. We settled into our usual spots on the couch, surrounded by an array of snacks that Dezmon had somehow managed to procure during our brief break from strategizing.

The opening credits rolled, casting an eerie glow across the room. As the suspenseful music began to play, I felt myself gradually relaxing into the cushions. It was amazing how quickly the tension of our earlier discussions could be replaced by the familiar comfort of shared moments like these.

Throughout the movie, we exchanged playful banter and occasional gasps at jump scares, our laughter echoing softly in the dimly lit room. For a little while, it was just us—no looming deadlines or dangerous plans hanging over our heads.

As the credits finally rolled and the screen faded to black, Dezmon stretched with a yawn. "That was exactly what I needed," he admitted, his eyes heavy with fatigue but bright with relief.

"Same here," I agreed, feeling a sense of peace that went beyond words. We had faced so much together already, and moments like this reminded me why it was all worth it.

Dezmon stood up and offered me his hand, pulling me gently to my feet. "Come on," he said softly. "Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow's another big day."

We headed towards our respective rooms, pausing briefly at the doorway. "Thanks for tonight," I said, meeting his gaze with gratitude.

"Anytime," Dezmon replied with a small smile. "We'll get through this—together."

With that promise hanging in the air like an unspoken vow, we turned in for the night. As I lay in bed, listening to the quiet hum of nighttime settling outside my window, I felt a renewed sense of determination. Graduation was looming closer each day, but so was our chance for a fresh start.

And with Dezmon by my side, I knew we could face whatever challenges awaited us—one step at a time.