⚠️ This is a dark, thrilling lesbian romance that explores survival, lust, and the blurred line between love and ruin.
Trigger Warnings: Substance abuse, graphic sexual content, emotional trauma, explicit language.
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The diner was quiet as the night crept on. Mia wiped down the counter, her movements automatic, the hum of the old refrigerator in the corner filling the silence. The smell of burnt coffee and fried food clung to her uniform black jeans and a thin white T-shirt with the diner's logo faded from too many washes.

"Go home, Mia," her boss, Tony, called from the back, his voice tired but kind. "Ain't nobody coming in this late. I'll lock up."

She nodded, slipping her book bag over one shoulder. "Thanks, Tony," she said, giving him a small smile before pushing out the door.

The cold hit her hard, turning her breath to mist. She zipped her coat up to her chin, her rose gold iPhone 7+ in her hand cracked but still holding on, like her.

She started walking down Lincoln Street, the streetlights flickering overhead. The bus stop was empty, just her and the icy wind. She tucked her phone into her jacket, jamming her hands into her pockets.

A car rolled up slow, headlights sweeping across the cracked pavement. Deon's black car  with tinted windows and music thumping low. She knew that sound.

"We meet again, huh?" he said, his tone soft but confident. "It's too cold to be standing around."

Mia looked away, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Just waiting for the bus. It's late."

Deon reached over and popped the door open. "Come on, let me take you home. No point in freezing waiting on a bus."

She hesitated, then climbed in, closing the door with a soft thud.

Inside, the car smelled like cologne and fresh leather. Deon was warm, his energy calm. "How you been, Mia?" he asked, glancing at her with a genuine smile.

"I've been alright," she said, fiddling with her phone. "Work's been rough."

"You always working," he teased lightly, shifting the car into drive. "You gotta chill sometime, you know?"

"Maybe one day," she said, but she was smiling, her shoulders relaxing a little.

He dropped her off at the store, and she stepped out, turning to him with a soft "Thank you, Deon."

"Anytime, pretty girl," he said, his grin easy and warm. "Stay safe."

She watched him pull away, feeling a little spark in her chest she didn't want to admit.

As she walked home, she felt lighter, even talking to herself under her breath, like she was finally breathing a little easier. "Damn, he's sweet," she murmured to no one, hugging her coat tighter around her. "I gotta chill ."

She turned the corner, her boots crunching over broken glass and old leaves. But as she got closer to home, her stomach dropped. Her mom's voice was loud and harsh, coming from the open doorway.

She turned for home, her steps slow. But as she got closer, her stomach dropped.

Her mom's voice cut through the cold. "I told you ,you got what you paid for!"

A man's angry voice followed. "You think this is a joke? I paid for the whole thing!"

Mia ducked her head, trying to slip by. But Ray was there, shoulders squared, fists already clenched. "Back up off her," he growled, shoving the man.

The stranger swung first, a wild, sloppy punch. Ray caught it, twisting his arm and slamming him against the wall. Mia's mom was screaming, trying to pull Ray back.

Mia's heart pounded. She turned and walked away, fast, her breath ragged in her throat.
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She didn't stop until she was blocks away, her legs aching. She didn't know where she was going just that she couldn't stay there.

The air was colder here, trash fires burning in barrels, smoke and weed heavy in the air. She stopped at the corner when she saw a group of known GDs and runners, posted up like kings of the block. Loud music thumped from a nearby car, rattling her ribs.

And there, leaning against a battered old Cadillac like she owned it, was Ty.

Ty wore a black Prada long-sleeved shirt, sleeves pushed up just enough to show her ink. A silver belt buckle caught the streetlight, and her hair was down, thick curls spilling over her shoulders.

Mia froze. Ty looked like she was carved out of this world confident, dangerous, beautiful.

A woman in a fur trimmed jacket stepped in her way, heels clicking on cracked concrete. "What the fuck you staring at, bitch?" she snapped.

Mia swallowed. "I'm not—I was just—"

The woman smirked, eyes flashing. "You tryna be cute? My date don't need no extra eyes."

Before Mia could answer, Ty's voice cut in calm, quiet, but sharp as a blade. "She's with me," she said, stepping forward.

The woman blinked. "She... yours?"

Ty didn't even look at her. Her eyes were locked on Mia, softening just enough. "Yeah. She good."

The woman rolled her eyes and backed off, heels clicking as she disappeared down the block.

"You good?" Ty asked, her voice low.

Mia nodded, but her voice shook. "Yeah just random that's all."

Ty nodded, like she'd already expected it. "Come on," she said, slipping an arm around Mia's waist. "Let's dip."
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They ended up in Ty's car, the city lights flickering across the windshield. The music was soft old school R&B, warm and slow. Ty didn't rush her, just let her breathe.

They talked in half sentences, old memories, dumb jokes from middle school, stories about the neighborhood. Ty's fingers tapped the steering wheel, and every so often, they brushed Mia's leg, sending sparks up her spine.

"You hungry?" Ty finally asked, glancing at her.

Mia nodded, voice soft. "Yeah."

Ty smiled. "Good. I know a spot."

They pulled up at a little diner, warm light spilling out the windows. Ty ordered for them both, sliding into the booth across from her. Mia felt her shoulders relax, the quiet laughter and clink of plates a balm.

"You always been like this," Ty teased, dipping a fry in ketchup. "All shy and sweet."

Mia snorted. "Not always. Just around you."

Ty's lips curved into a grin, eyes dark. "Yeah? I like that."

When they got back in the car, Ty's hand found the back of Mia's neck, pulling her closer. "You're trouble, huh?" she murmured.

Mia's breath caught. "Maybe," she whispered.

Ty's hand slid around her waist, pulling her onto her lap. Mia's hands braced on Ty's chest, fingers tracing the tattoos peeking out from her sleeves. Ty's lips brushed her jaw, slow and soft, making Mia's head spin.

They stayed like that for a while, the car a quiet cocoon. The city rolled by in flashes of neon and shadows, Ty's hand on Mia's thigh, grounding her.
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Ty's condo was warm, the scent of sage and weed smoke in the air. She kicked off her Balenciagas at the door, pulling off her hoodie to reveal a tight black shirt, red Calvin Klein boxers peeking out over her jeans.

"You can stay here tonight," she said, her voice low. "Ain't nobody gonna bother you here."

They curled up on the couch, a movie playing low on the TV. Mia felt herself melting into the safety of it Ty's arm around her, the soft brush of her lips against her temple. For once, the world didn't feel so heavy.
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She left at five the next morning, slipping out while Ty still slept. She had a cleaning job lined up money she couldn't afford to turn down. She texted Serenity as she walked, fingers stiff with cold.

*I'm good. Stayed with Ty last night. I'll tell you everything later.*

Serenity's reply was quick:

*Bitch, you better spill every detail when I see you.*

Mia smiled at her phone, tucking it back in her pocket. She didn't have much, but she had that.
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A couple days later, Mia had saved up enough for a new outfit tight jeans, fresh white sneakers, and a black crop top that made her feel like she owned herself for once. She told Ty to meet her at the gas station so she wouldn't see the dump she stayed in.

Ty pulled up, lips quirking into a smirk. "Damn, ma. You trying to kill me tonight?"

Mia blushed, ducking her head. "Shut up. I just... wanted to look nice."

Ty grinned, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "You look perfect."

They drove to the skating rink, the bass from the music inside vibrating through the walls. When they walked in, heads turned eyes wide, whispers starting.

Mia clutched Ty's arm, her voice low. "I can't skate," she admitted.

Ty's grin widened. "Good. I don't really give a fuck about skating anyway."

They found a quiet booth off to the side, sinking into the cracked red vinyl seats. Ty's arm draped over the back of the booth, fingers brushing Mia's shoulder. They talked about everything and nothing Ty's low laugh making Mia's heart flutter.

"You know you're dangerous, right?" Ty said, her hand sliding up Mia's thigh under the table. "The way you look at me..."

Mia's breath caught, heat coiling low in her stomach. "I'm not dangerous," she whispered, but her voice was shaking.

"Yeah, you are," Ty murmured, her lips brushing Mia's ear. "You make me want to do shit I shouldn't."

Mia shivered, her hand finding Ty's jaw. She pulled her closer, their lips meeting in a slow, hungry kiss. Ty's hand slid higher, fingers pressing into the soft skin of her waist, pulling her closer.

The world fell away for a moment, just the heat of their bodies and the taste of each other's breath.
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Then gunshots cracked the night.

Pop-pop-pop—sharp and close.

Ty's head snapped up, eyes gone cold. "Get down," she barked, shoving Mia under the table.

She pulled her own gun from the waistband of her jeans, her hand steady, her body a shield around Mia's small frame. The skating rink erupted into chaos screams and shouts, people running for the doors.

Mia's heart pounded, the world spinning around her. But Ty didn't flinch, didn't waver she just kept her eyes on the shadows beyond the booth, ready to protect her at any cost.