It had been two long months locked up in juvie. Two months of cold beds, fights, and silence where her voice used to be. Every day I’d wait, hoping maybe they’d let her in. Every time I asked the guards, they’d just shake their heads or act like I wasn’t even talking. I knew she was trying, though. I could feel it.

Getting out was like breathing real air again. First thing I did was head back to the Gallagher house, catch up with Fiona, grab some decent food, and figure out my next move. But I already knew what I really needed—to see her.

So I cleaned up a little, braided my hair into cornrows, threw on some of my freshest gear, and made my way over to her place. My heart was beating faster the closer I got. I didn’t even knock at first. I just stood there for a second, staring at her front door, wondering if she was even home. Wondering if she still wanted to see me.

Then I knocked.

A few seconds later, the door creaked open—and there she was.

Damn, she looked even better than I remembered.

I leaned against the doorframe, gave her that signature smirk I knew drove her crazy, and said, “Hey, pretty mama… did you miss me?”