Shootout

(02) Strapped Up

The walk was quiet at first. My nerves were still rattled from the shootout, my body buzzing with adrenaline. The air smelled like burnt rubber and gunpowder, but the streets were eerily empty now—like nothing even happened.

Bryson walked a few steps ahead of me, hands in his pockets, head on a swivel like he was still on alert. He moved with a certain ease, like this wasn't his first time navigating chaos.

I wasn't sure if I should be grateful or cautious.

"So," he finally spoke, glancing at me out the corner of his eye. "You always out here this late by yourself?"

I exhaled, still gripping my phone in one hand. "No. My Uber canceled, and I didn't wanna stand around waiting like a damn target."

He hummed, like he understood. "Where you stay at?"

"Not far." I hesitated before adding, "I got an apartment near Union."

He let out a low chuckle. "Yeah, you definitely ain't from around here."

I frowned. "What that supposed to mean?"

He smirked but didn't answer right away. Instead, he glanced over at me, taking in my face like he was studying me. "What's your name?"

"Penelope," I said.

He nodded. "I'm Bryson."

"I know," I muttered.

His smirk widened slightly, like he was amused. "Right. You asked before you let me take you through that alley."

"You didn't exactly give me much of a choice," I shot back.

He chuckled again but didn't argue. Instead, he slowed his pace, walking beside me now instead of ahead.

"You in school?" he asked after a moment.

"Yeah. I go to MSU. Studying education. I wanna be a teacher," I said, watching for his reaction.

His eyebrows raised slightly, but that same amused smirk lingered. "A teacher?"

I rolled my eyes. "Why does everybody act surprised when I say that?"

"Nah, it's just—" He ran his tongue over his bottom lip, thinking. "You don't look like no teacher."

"And what does a teacher look like?"

He shrugged. "Not you."

I sucked my teeth, shaking my head. "You sound dumb."

"Just sayin'," he teased.

I tried not to smile but failed, biting my lip instead. His energy was different. Too laid-back for someone who just came from a shootout. I wanted to ask more—figure out why he wasn't shaken up like I was—but something told me I wouldn't get a straight answer.

"What about you?" I asked instead. "You in school?"

"Nah," he answered easily. "Ain't for me."

"Then what do you do?"

He smirked but didn't answer right away. That same unreadable look crossed his face. "I do what I do."

I gave him a deadpan look. "That's not an answer."

He chuckled. "It's the only one you gettin', though."

I sucked my teeth again but didn't push it. He was clearly dodging the question for a reason.

We reached my apartment complex sooner than I expected. The streetlights cast a dim glow over us, stretching our shadows against the pavement.

"This you?" he asked, nodding toward the entrance.

"Yeah." I shifted on my feet, suddenly feeling awkward. "Thanks for... y'know, making sure I didn't die tonight."

His lips quirked up slightly. "Don't mention it."

I hesitated before pulling out my phone. "Let me get your number," I said, surprising even myself.

His smirk turned into a full smile, one side of his mouth lifting higher than the other. "Oh yeah?"

"Relax," I rolled my eyes. "I just—might need some more protection one day."

He let out a low chuckle and took my phone, typing his number in before handing it back. "Hit me if you need anything," he said, stepping back.

I looked down at the name he saved: Bryson, followed by a blue heart emoji.

I shook my head, amused. "You put a heart next to your name?"

"You want me to take it off?"

I paused, then shrugged. "Nah."

He smirked. "Aight then."

I didn't say anything else. Just turned toward my building, feeling his eyes on me as I walked inside.

As soon as I shut my apartment door, I leaned against it, exhaling.

Tonight was too much.

I should've just waited for another Uber.

I should've minded my business.

I should've never met Bryson.

Because something told me—this wouldn't be the last time I saw him.

And I wasn't sure if that was a good thing... or a mistake waiting to happen.