IN BETWEEN

THE LAST BELL.

As Raina walked towards the school gate, her heart pounding with nerves and hope. She whispered to herself like a promise, ''This is for us, Mama, I won't mess this up.''

She spotted a familiar figure leaning against the rusted fence, arms folded, one foot kicked up, wearing a signature smirk as she crossed the school courtyard.

Imani Pearl Huntley.

Her best friend since forever, the only person who knew all the cracks in Raina's heart and never judged her for them.

''Girl, I was starting to think you froze to death in that house of yours,'' Imani teased, walking up to her with a playful nudge.

Raina chuckled, shaking her head. ''Felt like it, that shower was disrespectful this morning,'' she said.

They both laughed, that easy effortless laugh that came from surviving the same street, the same struggles.

Imani linked her arms with Raina's as they walked towards the exam hall. ''Are you ready for these final exams?.......our last day being nobodies around here.''

Raina smiled nervously but determined. ''Am ready, we've come too far to mess this up.

Imani grinned wider. ''Especially since we're both getting out of here. Fashion Institute Of New York, baby! You and me roommates, designers, walking the streets like we own'em.

Hearing it out loud made Raina's heart fluster. It didn't feel real yet — leaving River Bend Drive, starting over in a city that didn't know her story, her scars, her father's shadows, she couldn't help but doubt.

But standing next to Imani—her sister in every way that mattered, it felt possible.

''Yeah,'' Raina whispered, a small smile tugging at her lips. '' We're gonna make it.''

And with that promise hanging between them like hope, they pushed through the door — ready to face whatever the world had left to throw at them.