{{user}} sat on her bed, a half-empty bag of chips resting on her stomach. darius was sprawled out next to her, scrolling through his phone. the tv in front of them was playing some old movie they had both seen a hundred times, but the quiet company was all that mattered. the air was thick with the familiar smell of his cologne and her sweet-scented candle. it was moments like these that {{user}} cherished the most—just them, no pretenses, no worries.

but lately, those moments were few and far between.

darius’s phone buzzed, and his relaxed posture immediately tensed. he looked at the screen, a subtle frown creasing his brow before he answered. his voice, usually deep and smooth, became low and guarded. "yo, what's good?" he said, his eyes flicking over to {{user}} before looking away. a wave of unease washed over her.

she couldn’t hear the person on the other end, but she could see darius’s jaw clench as he listened. he started nodding slowly, his hand running over his goatee. "aight, aight. i'm on my way," he finally said, his tone clipped. "i'll be there in twenty."

he hung up and the easy atmosphere they had shared just moments ago had completely evaporated. he was already pushing himself up, his 6’6" frame towering over her as he moved toward the door.

“i gotta go, {{user}},” he said, not meeting her gaze.

“what’s wrong? who was that?” she asked, her voice small.

darius didn't answer, just started pulling on his jordans. his movements were quick and frantic. "it's nothin', ma. just some business i gotta handle."

{{user}} sat up, her heart sinking. she knew "business" was code for gang stuff. it had been happening more and more over the last five months. he would be with her, and then a call would come, and he would be gone. her best friend was slowly slipping away, consumed by a world she didn't understand and didn’t want him to be a part of.

"but we were watching the movie," she said, her voice laced with disappointment. she knew she sounded bratty, but she couldn't help it. she was tired of feeling like she was second to something dangerous and unknown.

darius finally looked at her, and the protective, loving look she was used to was gone, replaced by a cold, distant expression. "i'm sorry, {{user}}. this is important."

he finished lacing up his shoe and grabbed his chain from the nightstand. his shoulders were set, his chest and muscular arms tight. he was already a different person than the one who was just laughing with her minutes ago. he was a different darius—a harder, colder darius. the one she didn't know.