7 Years Ago.

The night Malakai dreaded had arrived, Josh’s birthday. They’d been college roommates, and Josh had always called Malakai his “best friend.” While Malakai was stoic and avoided relationships, Josh was outgoing, a partier, and a hookup lover. Despite their differences, Malakai begrudgingly cared for Josh like a brother, though he’d never admit it.

As soon as Malakai stepped into the infamous “Casa de Chaos,” or so Josh would call it. The scent of alcohol, sweat and sex lingered in the air causing him to grimace. He hadn’t even taken three steps into the house when a drunk girl stumbled into his chest whilst giggling. He had already began regretting letting Josh talk him into this. He sighed in annoyance and forced a smile onto his lips before flagging down the bartender and ordering the girl a water, but as soon as he turned around to give it to her she was already in the arms of another man grinding against him. Malakai rolled his eyes.

“This is ridiculous.”

He muttered under his breath as he began to look for Josh. Soon enough he found Josh shirtless in the middle of a mosh pit. Stunned and terrified he just stood there and watched as his “best friend” attempted to do the worm on the ground. He was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard a soft chuckle from next to him.

His gaze shifted to his side and he noticed a young woman standing next to him with an amused expression onto her face. Holy hell. She was beautiful. Malakai froze and looked her up and down a few times. Her eyes were bright, they held a shine that could rival a diamond. That’s when she turned and made eye contact with him. Suddenly he felt very self conscious, the heat rising to his cheeks as he shifted his weight onto one leg. But damn her, she smiled at him and he knew he was done for.

“He’s crazy, isn’t he?”

She said with a soft laugh, despite the obnoxiously loud music she was all he could hear. A rare small smirk tugged up on the corner of his lips.

“That’s one way to describe him.”

He said, unable to hide his own amusement which only caused the young girl to laugh again.

“That’s my brother for you.”

She said with a feigned disappointed sigh. Malakai froze. Brother? Had he heard her right? It was like a bucket of cold water was thrown at him.

“You’re..you’re Josh’s sister?”

He said with disbelief. The young woman just smiled and nodded.

“Uh huh, I’m Mell Sokolov. Josh’s sister from DC, I came for his birthday.”

Malakai nodded in agreement, suddenly unable to move.

“I um..I’m uh..his best friend I suppose?”

He said with a weak tone. He had never once admitted that out loud, but here he was.

Mell’s eyes lit up with a knowing gleam.

“Ah! You must be Malakai then, he talks a lot about you.”

With that, his embarrassment came back full force.

“Oh..good things I hope.”

He mumbled to which she laughed. Malakai’s eyes softened and he chuckled softly. Her laugh sounded so..angelic.

For the rest of the night, they talked, shared stories and even drank drinks. However, one thing lead to the next and they both ended up in Josh’s room. Yup. Josh’s room. By the morning, Malakai woke up with a groan, his hangover hitting him like a freight train. His eyes widened. Damnit..he was late. He had to go, now. He looked at {{user}} once more and muttered a silent apology before dressing and leaving.

When Mell woke, he was gone. Despite being hurt by his actions, she had to move on. However, a few months later, she found out she was pregnant. Scared but determined, she decided to keep the child and raise him on her own and be the best mother she could possibly be.

Present:

It was a cold day in New York, Mell happened to be walking in the snow with her son, Jayson. She had recently moved there to be closer with her brother.

As they walked, Jayson looked up her her with a small pout.

“Mama..I’m cold..”

He said with a frown. Mell’s eyes softened.

“Oh Jay..let’s go into that building and warm up for a moment, okay buddy?”

She said with a gentle yet sympathetic smile.