Page 28 of Falling Into Gravity

Aku hesitated, eyeing him. “I feel like this is some hood boy game. Next thing I know you gon’ be like‘lemme play you this song real quick’and then try to kiss me.”

He smirked, already rounding the car. “Nah, that’s chapter two. We still on the intro.”

She laughed as she slid out the passenger side and joined him at the front. The metal was still warm from the sun and the breeze up there smelled faintly like pavement and jasmine. She hopped up on the hood after a little struggle, and Malik extended his hand without saying anything. He just watched her with a half-smile while she got situated.

When she was finally up there, ankles crossed and chips in her lap, she looked over at him. “You just gon’ stand there or you gon’ sit down with me? I don’t bite.”

Malik climbed up with ease, his long legs stretched out in front of him, shoulder brushing hers every time one of them moved. He leaned back on his elbows and looked at her.

“You always this funny?” he asked.

“Only when I’m tryna distract myself from how fine my company is.”

He laughed, head tipping back just enough for her to get a better look at that line in his jaw that made him look dangerous and divine at the same time.

“You good at this shit. Flirtin’ in public without soundin’ thirsty.”

“That’s a skill,” she said, bumping her knee against his.

“A talent,” he corrected.

They fell quiet for a few seconds, watching the city stretch beneath them like a living painting. Aku could feel her skin buzz with awareness—like every part of her was awake just from being near him. His leg brushed hers again, and this time neither of them pulled away. The silence between them wasn’t awkward.

He tapped the top of her thigh with two fingers. “So what’s it like being the girl that dresses the stars?”

Aku took a sip of her Capri Sun, squinting at him. “Glamorous, Stressful, Overrated…depending on the day.” Her shoulders hunched.

“That why you slid in my messages? You was lookin’ for somethingunderrated?”

She smirked. “First of all, you slid into mine first. I only responded, ‘cause you was fine and that app had me curious.”

“Oh, so I’m a curiosity now.”

She looked at him, studying his features more. His lashes were too long, his skin turned caramel when the light hit it justright, and his eyes were the kind that made you feel seen, even when you weren’t saying much.

“I think you’re more than that,” she said quietly, almost to herself.

He stared back, not saying anything, just letting the weight of her words hang. Then he licked his lips slowly, like he heard what she didn’t say too.

“You got this thing about you,” he murmured. “Like…you don’t belong in nobody’s box.”

She tilted her head. “What kinda box you think people put me in?”

He shrugged. “The rich girl, the pretty girl, the unattainable one…the one who don’t really feel shit.”

Her lips parted, caught off guard again. “And what box you think I’m in?”

Malik smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes this time.

“The hood one, the fine one…the danger-you-shouldn’t-want-but-do-anyway.” She was quiet for a beat, then said, “I hate boxes.”

He nodded slowly. “Me too. I’m a circle kinda nigga.”

“Like Cs?” Her eyes tangled along the letter above his brow.

Malik licked his lips. “Big Cs, baby.” Malik threw his sign up, making her giggle.

And just like that, the night folded around them. Cool and quiet, but not still. The kind of night that made you question who you were before it. Made you remember the exact moment someone started mattering.

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