28 parts Ongoing Mature"I can't promise you that shit will get better," Booker said. "But I can promise you that I'll be here with you while you go through it."
Mani stayed quiet for a second, staring at the blanket between them. "Even if we're not what we were before?"
He looked at her, dead serious. "You still matter. That didn't stop just 'cause we changed."
She swallowed. "I know you want to be here. I'm just scared one day you won't."
Booker tilted his head, brows pulling together. "Why you say that?"
"'Cause people don't always stay when it stops being easy. And I know I haven't been... easy to be around."
He shook his head, lips tugging into a tiny, crooked smile. "Mani. You think I show up 'cause it's easy?"
She didn't answer.
He leaned in, just a little. "I'm here 'cause even when it's hard, even when you push me back-I still want this. I still want 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮."
---
Demani never needed much, just a break from living. But with the chaos at home from her mom, her stepdad and step-siblings, it feels impossible. School is her only escape, a safe haven she shares with her three best friends. They keep each other sane without even realizing it. It's always been the four of them. Until they meet them. Until she meets ℎ𝑖𝑚.
Booker stopped caring a long time ago. Between taking care of his sick grandma, dodging bullets and keeping up with school, life is just something he's pushing through. The only things holding him together? His grandma and a stupid promise he made in the seventh grade.
Neither of them is looking for more, but sometimes, the people you least expect become the ones you need the most.
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