KAELIX MCGILL North Carolina

The smell of charcoal and grilled meat filled the air as Kaelix and Sariyah stepped into the backyard. Folding chairs were scattered around the lawn, the music from someone's Bluetooth speaker competing with Malik's loud commentary as he argued about basketball with one of the neighbors.

Kaelix's mom was busy at the grill, her apron slightly smeared with barbecue sauce as she flipped racks of ribs with practiced ease. Dede ran circles around the yard, her laughter trailing behind her like a melody, while Trey stood off to the side, beer in hand, pretending to be interested in whatever Kaelix's uncle was saying.

Kaelix and Sariyah found a spot near the fence, away from most of the crowd but close enough to stay in the mix. Kaelix leaned against the wooden post, his plate balanced on his knee as he ate. Sariyah sat on a folding chair next to him, sipping a cup of sweet tea.

"You enjoying yourself?" he asked, glancing over at her.

"It's cool," Sariyah replied, watching Dede chase another kid across the yard. "I mean, it's a lot of people, but your family's chill."

Kaelix smirked, leaning closer. "Told you. You fit right in."

Sariyah rolled her eyes, hiding a small smile behind her cup.

Before Kaelix could say more, his mom called out to them from across the yard. "Kaelix, Sariyah! Come meet somebody!"

Reluctantly, they stood and made their way to the grill, where his mom stood chatting with a young couple, both around their age.

"Jayden and Brianna," his mom introduced, smiling warmly. "Jayden's mom goes to church with me."

Jayden extended his hand, his grip firm. "What's good, bro?"

Kaelix shook his hand. "Chillin'."

Jayden's gaze shifted to Sariyah, then back to Kaelix. "This your girl?"

Kaelix smirked, his hand grazing Sariyah's back as he nodded. "Yeah."

Sariyah shot him a look, but she didn't correct him. Instead, she shook Brianna's hand.

"Nice to meet you," Brianna said warmly. "Your mom talks about y'all a lot."

"Oh, does she?" Sariyah replied, her brow lifting as she glanced at Kaelix's mom, who just chuckled and waved her off.

"Don't worry, all good things," Brianna added with a laugh.

The two couples slipped into an easy rhythm, trading stories and light banter. Sariyah found herself enjoying Brianna's laid-back energy, while Kaelix appreciated Jayden's no-nonsense vibe.

"Y'all staying around here for good?" Jayden asked casually, sipping from his drink.

"Yeah," Kaelix replied easily. "Got our own spot lined up, actually."

Sariyah glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she thought about the penthouse they'd toured.

As the evening wore on, the crowd grew livelier. Kaelix leaned back against the fence, one hand draped casually over the back of Sariyah's chair. Across the yard, Trey lingered by the grill, his laughter carrying over the music.

But it wasn't Trey who had Kaelix's attention—it was the man Trey was talking to.

The guy was tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hoodie doing little to hide the air of discomfort about him. He wasn't drinking or eating, and his eyes kept sweeping the yard like he was waiting for something.

"You see that dude?" Kaelix murmured, nodding subtly toward the man.

Sariyah followed his gaze. "Yeah. Who is he?"

"Don't know. Ma said he's one of Trey's friends from work."

Sariyah frowned. "He doesn't look like he works construction."

Kaelix's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond.

Later in the evening, after the sun had set and string lights cast a warm glow over the yard, Kaelix pulled Malik aside.

"Yo, Malik," he called, nodding him over.

Malik jogged up, slightly out of breath from playing basketball. "What's up?"

Kaelix tilted his head toward Trey and the man. "You seen that dude before?"

Malik followed his gaze, his brow furrowing. "Nah. Why?"

Kaelix shrugged, his expression neutral. "Just keep an eye on him. Something about him don't sit right."

Malik gave him a curious look but didn't argue. "Yeah, alright."

Back at the grill, Trey's booming laugh cut through the noise as he gestured toward the man. "Kaelix!" he called out, grinning widely.

Kaelix and Sariyah exchanged a quick glance before walking over.

"This here's Marcus," Trey said, clapping the man on the shoulder. "Works construction. Figured you might be lookin' for some honest work, huh?"

Kaelix's face remained unreadable as he shook Marcus's hand briefly. The man's grip was firm, his eyes sharp as they met Kaelix's.

"Nah, I'm good," Kaelix said coolly.

Trey chuckled. "Still too good for a real job, huh?"

Kaelix ignored the jab, his focus on Marcus. "You new to town?"

"Something like that," Marcus replied, his tone vague.

Kaelix nodded slowly, filing the information away. Sariyah, standing just behind him, could feel the tension radiating off him.

As they walked back to their spot near the fence, Sariyah leaned in close. "You think he's trouble?"

"Don't know yet," Kaelix admitted. His voice was low, but there was steel in it. "But I'm gonna find out."

After a while, the party began winding down, the younger kids leaving with their parents and the music growing softer. Kaelix and Sariyah stayed close to each other, exchanging small, private smiles as they watched the night play out.

At one point, Brianna and Jayden joined them, and the four of them fell into an easy conversation, their laughter blending into the warm night air.

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