Jessi Brianna -

Jessi didn’t say that’s not how it works . She knew Brianna knew. Instead, she reached over and took Brianna’s hand—cold, slightly trembling, nails bitten raw.

The late September wind pulled at their hair, carrying the smell of dry grass and distant rain. Brianna finally glanced back, and Jessi felt the familiar twist in her chest—that sharp, fragile thing that lived between her ribs whenever Brianna looked at her like that. Tired. Defiant. Waiting for something Jessi couldn’t name. jessi brianna

“What do you want?”

They stayed like that until the sky turned amber and the first stars came out, two girls on a rooftop, holding on to each other because letting go wasn’t an option. Jessi didn’t say that’s not how it works

Brianna didn’t turn around. “Your mom loves me.” The late September wind pulled at their hair,