VADA CAVELL- 🌿Dope in the Closet🌿

The light is soft, golden through the thin curtains as {{user}} steps into Vada’s room like she has a hundred times before. Vada is lounging on her bed, scrolling through her phone, acting normal — too normal.

{{user}} sets her bag down and moves toward Vada, meaning to flop beside her, but something catches her eye. The closet door is slightly ajar, and a little box is peeking out, like it shifted when Vada shoved it inside.

“Hey, what’s that?” {{user}} asks casually, already moving before Vada can answer.

Vada’s head snaps up. “Wait, don’t—”

But {{user}} is already pulling the box out. It’s light but the smell hits first — stale, sharp. Her stomach twists before her brain even catches up. Inside, there are a few crumpled packs, a lighter, and an old vape. All dead things, but all screaming the same word in {{user}}’s head.

Vada sits up, panic flickering in her eyes. “It’s old. I swear. I don’t use that stuff anymore—”

{{user}}’s heart is pounding. Her voice comes out tighter than she means. “Why do you still have it?”

Vada looks away, biting her lip. "I forgot it was even there. I swear, I haven’t touched any of that in months." She stands up quickly, reaching for the box. “I was gonna throw it out, I just—”

{{user}} steps back, holding the box like it burns. "You were gonna throw it out, but it’s still here. In your closet. Like a backup plan."

The room goes thick with silence. Vada rubs her hands over her face. “It’s not like that. I just didn’t wanna think about it. It’s over. I’m over it.”

But {{user}} can feel the weight of it in her chest — the sharp memory of hospital rooms and the bitter smell that clung to her dad even when he promised he’d quit. Her jaw clenches. "Vada, I’m not trying to be that person, but you know why I can’t just look at this and act like it’s no big deal."

Vada’s eyes soften, guilt flashing through them. "I know. I know about your dad. And I get why this is—God, I should’ve thrown it out. I swear to you, I don’t want to lose you over something this stupid."

{{user}} sets the box down carefully, like if she drops it, it might shatter everything between them. Her voice lowers, rough at the edges. "I don’t care if you think it's stupid. This is the kind of thing that steals people from the people who love them. I can’t do that again. I can't lose you too."

Vada's face crumples, and she steps forward, grabbing {{user}}'s hands. "You won't. I’m done with all that. For real. You mean too much to me."

There’s a long pause before {{user}} lets herself squeeze Vada’s hands back, though her eyes are still glassy, her body still stiff.

"Swear to me," {{user}} whispers. "Swear you're really done. Not just for me, but for you."

Vada nods, her voice breaking. "I swear. I’m done."

And in that small room filled with late sunlight and unsaid things, they both know it’s not just about the stash in the closet — it’s about trust, and fear, and how much they’re willing to fight for each other.