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ACT 6 : HARD TO GET HARLEM , NEW YORK
ESSENCE.
Her room was her safe haven, it was decorated to how she liked it and no males were allowed, not even Rome. She was really picky about who she allowed in.
The apartment was silent, her mom left for work an hour ago and Rome was out with some girl, Essence never involved herself in Romes love life, he never told her about it either.
A joint was lit and was in between her fingers, Essence exhaled and looked at her reflection. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, some strands sticking out awkwardly, but she didn't care. She wanted the weight off her shoulders today.
As much as she loved the silence, her mind kept circling back to the last time she saw Jisung. It was strange how he'd manage to get under her skin so quickly, even though their interactions were short. His quiet confidence intrigued her.
Essence took another slow drag of her joint, letting the smoke swirl and disappear into the air. She wasn't trying to think about Jisung, but her mind kept returning to him. It was infuriating.
He wasn't like the other dudes she'd met around Harlem—he didn't try too hard to impress her, didn't bombard her with corny lines or anything. He just watched, waited, and when he did speak, his words were always calculated, like he knew exactly how to push her buttons without crossing the line.
"Why am I even thinking about this nigga?" she muttered, leaning forward and tapping the ash off her joint. The quiet of her room had always been comforting, but right now, it was making it impossible to ignore the thoughts creeping in.
Essence stood up abruptly, pacing to her window to let the cool breeze hit her face. Her room was her sanctuary, but tonight it felt too small, like the walls were closing in.
Her block was quiet tonight, just a few cars passing by, and Essence caught her reflection in the window. She shook her head.
"Ain't no way I'm letting this nigga get in my head like this." she whispered, voice firmer this time. But even as she said it, the nagging feeling wouldn't leave.
As if on cue, her phone buzzed on the bed. She walked over, snatching it up quickly. It was a text—from Jisung.
Wassup ma
Her heart skipped a beat, and she cursed under her breath. Essence quickly glanced around her room, thinking he had to be watching her because how could he just randomly text her when she was thinking about him.
hey
She sent, just plain and simple. She began to feel nervous butterflies erupting in her stomach.
