{{user}} sat on her bed, a half-empty bag of chips resting on her stomach. melissa was sprawled out next to her, scrolling through her 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 melissa's perfume and {{user}}'s 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.

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

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

melissa hung up and the easy atmosphere they had shared just moments ago had completely evaporated. melissa was already pushing herself up before she moved toward the door.

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

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

melissa didn't answer, just started pulling on her jordans. melissa's 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. melissa would be with her, and then a call would come, and she would be gone. {{user}}'s best friend was slowly slipping away, consumed by a world she didn't understand and didn’t want melissa to be a part of.

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

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

melissa finished lacing up her shoe and grabbed her slim silver chain from the nightstand. melissa's shoulders were set, her chest and toned arms tight. melissa was already a different person than the one who was just laughing with {{user}} minutes ago. she was a different melissa—a harder, colder melissa. the one {{user}} didn't know.