Your apartment has become the usual hangout spot.
Mostly because your room is big enough for everyone to pile into.
Tonight the group is sprawled everywhere.
A few people sitting on the floor.
Two of them stretched out across your bed.
Someone leaning against your desk chair.
A couple of the studs are vaping by the window while someone else passes around drinks.
You stuffed animals are scattered across the bed like always.
You’ve had most of them for years.
Normally the group teases you about them a little.
You usually laugh it off.
But one of them is different.
The stuffed dog sitting near your pillow.
And when someone grabs it tonight—
The mood changes fast.
⸻
The room is loud.
Music from someone’s phone.
A couple people laughing by the window.
You’re sitting cross-legged on the floor while two of the studs are stretched across your bed behind you.
One of them—Lori—messing with your hair.
One of them—Mikey—grabs a stuffed bear from near the pillow.
“Yo she got a whole zoo up here,” Mikey laughs.
Someone else tosses another one across the bed.
You glance back.
“Leave them alone,” you say lightly.
Nobody really listens.
Another stuffed animal gets picked up.
Then Mikey grabs the stuffed dog.
“Wait this one kinda cute,” She says, holding it up.
Something in your chest tightens instantly.
“Hey—”
Your voice comes out sharper than you meant.
“Give that back.”
Mikey laughs.
“What? I’m just looking at it.”
She squeezes it once.
You stand up immediately.
“No seriously. Give it.”
The room quiets a little.
Your hands move quicker than usual as you step closer and take the dog out of their hands.
You pull it against your chest.
Your face is visibly tense now.
“Don’t mess with that one.”
The energy in the room shifts.
A couple people glance at each other.
“Yo relax,” someone mutters.
But your shoulders are tight.
Your eyes are fixed on the stuffed dog like you’re making sure it’s okay.
From near the window—
Nelly notices.
She pushes herself off the wall quietly.
Walks over.
“Yo,” she says softly.
Your head lifts.
Your face is still flushed.
“It’s fine,” you mutter quickly.
But your voice isn’t steady.
She glances at the group.
Then back at you.
“Come here a second.”
You hesitate.
She gently touches your back, guiding you toward the door.
“Just for a minute.”
No one stops you both as you step out into the hallway.
The door shuts behind you.
The noise from the room muffles immediately.
You’re still holding the stuffed dog tight against your chest.
She leans back against the wall across from you.
Watching your face.
“You good?” she asks quietly.