Where I Need to Be

"I didn't run because of you," Zoey said after a moment. "I ran because I wanted more than you were letting yourself have."

My arm slid around her back, careful, protective. "I didn't think I was allowed to want more."

She tilted her head up, her face inches from mine now. "You don't get to decide what I can handle."

"I like the way that sounds." I said with a laugh.

Her gaze flicked to my mouth. Back to my eyes. She hesitated- not out of fear, but because this mattered.

"Dizzy," she whispered, "If you stay here with me, it has to mean something."

I didn't even blink. "It means everything to me."

"Diz, please don't go."

"I don't have nowhere to go. I'm exactly where I need to be." I confirmed for her.

I put my thumb under her chin and pulled her face towards mine.

The kiss was nothing like the one at the party. No alcohol. No confusion. No running afterward.

This one was slow- her lips warm, deliberate, pressing into mine like she was anchoring herself to the moment. I kissed her back just as gently, my hand cupping the side of her face, thumb brushing her cheek like I was afraid she'd vanish if I pressed too hard. I slowly rose to my feet, ensuring our lips never parted. My hands found their way around her waist as I urged her closer to me.

She exhaled into my mouth, a soft sound that made my chest ache. When we pulled apart, our foreheads rested together.

"You should've done that sooner," she murmured.

"I know," I said, smiling faintly. "But I'm here now."

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Dizzy (Denzel Hardiman Jr.) moved to New York City from a small town in Mississippi when he was 10 years old. His family moved into a hotel-turned apartment building in Harlem. He meets three kids at his school and they go on to remain friends into adulthood.
Dizzy is tasked with hiding his feelings for their mutual friend, Zoey, pursuing his music career, and maintaining his bonds, while facing a life of crime.