• Rio amor

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The hallway buzzed with noise—lockers slamming, people laughing too loud, someone arguing over something petty. In the middle of it all, Rio leaned against a locker like she owned the place.

Oversized hoodie. Baggy jeans. Fresh sneakers. Cap tilted just enough. She looked like she stepped straight outta the city, confidence loud even when she wasn’t saying a word.

“Yo, move, move—y’all blocking traffic like it’s Times Square,” she muttered, nudging past a group, her New York accent cutting through the noise.

Across the hall, you stood by your locker, carefully adjusting your bracelet. Everything about you was soft—glossy lips, neatly styled hair, a perfectly coordinated outfit that looked like it took time (and you didn’t mind admitting it did).

Rio noticed you immediately.

She always did.

She tried not to stare—but yeah... she stared.

“Ma,” she mumbled under her breath, shaking her head like she was annoyed at herself. “Why she always look like that... like she got a whole spotlight on her or somethin’.”

You glanced up—and caught her looking.

Rio froze for half a second. Then, like it never happened, she looked away, scratching the back of her neck.

Too late.

You smiled.

That smile? Yeah. That was dangerous.

You walked over, heels clicking softly against the floor. Rio heard it before she saw you and already knew.

“Hey, Rio,” you said sweetly.

She turned, trying to play it cool. “Aight... what’s good?”

But her voice dropped just a little softer than usual.

You tilted your head. “Why do you always act like you don’t see me?”

Rio scoffed. “Who said I ain’t see you? I see everything, ma. I got eyes.”

“Mm,” you hummed, unconvinced. “You don’t act like it.”

She pushed off the locker, suddenly a little more alert. “Maybe I just don’t be chasin’ people down the hallway like everybody else.”

You stepped closer—close enough that she had to look down at you slightly.

“Maybe I want you to.”

That threw her off.

Rio blinked. Once. Twice.

“...You be sayin’ stuff like that on purpose?” she asked, narrowing her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile creeping in.

You just shrugged, twirling a piece of your hair. “Depends. Is it working?”

She let out a short laugh, shaking her head. “Nah, you wild for that.”

But she didn’t move away.

Not even a little.

The hallway noise faded around them for a second—just the two of you standing there, tension quiet but real.

Rio glanced at your bracelet, then back at your face. “You always dress like you got somewhere important to be.”

You smiled. “Maybe I do.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Where?”

You leaned in just slightly.

“Right here.”

That made her pause again.

Then she exhaled, rubbing her face like she was trying not to grin.

“Yeah... you trouble,” Rio said.

“Only for you,” you replied.

She shook her head, but this time she couldn’t hide the smile.

“Bet,” she said softly. “I guess I’ma have to deal with that.”

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