From Ashes to Us

CHAPTER 3

NIA’S POV

By the time my shift ended, my feet were killing me and my patience was hanging by a thread. I’d managed to dodge any more unwanted attention from Chris, but he left with a wink and a “See you soon, baby girl” that made my skin crawl.

I clocked out, grabbed my bag, and stepped outside into the warm night air. The sun was gone, but the air still smelled like asphalt and fried food. I pulled out my phone, half-expecting nothing, when I saw his name pop up on my screen.

Caleb 💬:

You survive work?

My lips twitched into a smile before I could stop it. I leaned against the side of the building and typed back:

Me 💬:

Barely. I smell like grease and regret.

His reply came quick.

Caleb 💬:

Grease and regret, huh? Sounds like a mixtape title.

You wanna hang? Clear your head a little?

I stared at the message for a second, thumb hovering. Part of me was tired. Drained. But the bigger part, the part that wanted to feel like a normal girl for once said yes before I could overthink it.

Me 💬:

Yeah. Just say when and where.

He didn’t make me wait.

Caleb 💬:

Be there in 10.

Ten minutes later, he pulled up, headlights washing over me like a spotlight. I slipped into the passenger seat, immediately feeling calmer just being near him.

“Rough day?” he asked, glancing over.

I nodded. “Chris came in.”

He stiffened. “Chris Chris? Keisha’s cousin?”

“Yep. Him and his whole wannabe music video squad.”

Caleb shook his head, jaw tightening. “You good, though?”

“I’m fine. Just tired of… everything.”

He didn’t say anything at first, just reached over and squeezed my hand. “Let’s change that.”

And for the first time that day, I let myself breathe.

Because with him, I didn’t feel like some girl stuck in the middle of a life she didn’t choose.

I felt like maybe I still had a shot at something better.

Caleb took me to this little outdoor taco spot on the edge of town. Nothing fancy, just picnic tables under string lights and a food truck that smelled like heaven.

We sat across from each other, sipping Jarritos and eating tacos way too messy to be cute. Still, it was perfect.

He made me laugh until my stomach hurt. Asked me real questions, listened like he actually cared. And every now and then, he’d glance at me like he was trying to memorize my face. Like I wasn’t just some girl from the wrong side of town.

For once, I let myself enjoy it.

Until I heard her voice.

“Ain’t this some shit.”

I looked up and there she was.

Alicia.

Hair slicked, lashes heavy, attitude on ten. She was flanked by two of her cheerleader clones, arms crossed, lips pursed like she’d just bitten into a lemon.

Caleb’s whole body shifted, shoulders tensing like he’d been hit with a cold wave.

“Alicia,” he said, sighing. “What are you doing here?”

“I came for tacos,” she said, fake-sweet, eyes locked on me. “Didn’t know you were out here slumming it.”

I sat up straighter, keeping my face neutral. I wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction of seeing me rattled.

She stepped closer, eyes narrowing. “So this is what we’re doing now? You with her?”

Caleb stood slowly, calm but firm. “We’re not doing anything, Alicia. You and me? That’s over. You made sure of that.”

She scoffed. “Please. You really think this girl’s gonna hold you down?”

That stung. More than I wanted to admit.

But Caleb didn’t even flinch. He stepped in front of me, voice sharp. “Watch your mouth.”

Alicia looked between us, eyes simmering. “You’ll come running back. They always do.”

She turned on her heel, storming off with her girls in tow, heels clicking like gunshots.

The moment she was gone, the tension cracked.

I looked at Caleb. “Wow.”

He ran a hand down his face. “I’m sorry, Nia. She’s”

“It’s fine,” I said, forcing a small smile. “She’s mad ‘cause she lost. That’s not my problem.”

He looked at me then, really looked, like he was proud of how I handled it.

“You’re something else,” he murmured. “You know that?”

I shrugged, biting back a smile. “I get that a lot.”

And just like that, the moment wasn’t ruined.

It was just more proof that I could handle anything.

Even Alicia.

Even this life.

As long as I had my head up… and maybe Caleb by my side.

Me and Caleb? We weren’t just talking anymore. We were something real.

After that night at the taco spot, he kept showing up for real. Picking me up after work. Bringing me flowers he swore he didn’t pick from Mrs. Long’s yard. Driving us out to the lake just to talk and listen to music.

He asked me questions no one ever cared to ask before. Not just the easy ones, but the deep stuff, the ugly stuff. And I told him.

Everything.

About my mom. Rod. The money. The nights I’d lay in bed wishing for a life that didn’t feel like it belonged to someone else.

And he listened. No judgment. Just soft eyes and warm hands and quiet understanding.

It scared me how much I trusted him. How much I wanted him to stay.

I was sitting with Keisha at lunch a week later, picking at some fries and talking about what classes we were going to drop when the energy shifted.

Keisha looked up first. Her face dropped. “Ugh. Here she come.”

Alicia.

Draped in her usual tight clothes and fake confidence, flanked by her same two loyal clones. She walked up to our table like she had something to prove.

“Well, well,” she said, folding her arms. “You still walking around like you matter, huh?”

I stood up slowly, not one to back down. “I matter a lot more now that you’re out the picture.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You think you special just ‘cause Caleb giving you time? You just a phase. A filler ‘til he gets bored.”

I rolled my eyes. “Sounds like you’re still salty he chose peace over drama.”

That must’ve hit a nerve.

Next thing I knew, Alicia reached out and grabbed a fistful of my hair.

“b***h!”

I swung instinctively, knocking her hand away and shoving her back. But she came at me hard, nails flying, screaming like she’d lost her mind.

One of her friends jumped in, grabbing at my arm.

Before I could react, Keisha launched herself across the table like a damn superhero, snatching the girl by her braids.

“Not today, b***h!” Keisha yelled, dragging the girl down to the grass.

We were really out here now. Hair pulling, shoes flying, a crowd forming, phones already out.

I caught Alicia’s wrist before she could slap me and shoved her off again, breathing hard, adrenaline rushing.

“You really pressed, huh?” I snapped, chest heaving. “Maybe if you loved yourself half as much as you hate me, you wouldn’t have to fight over a man that don’t want you!”

Security finally came rushing in, separating us, yelling, pulling us apart.

But the damage was already done.

The school had seen it. Alicia had felt it.

And me?

I wasn’t that quiet girl anymore.

I was done letting people walk all over me.

And if Alicia wanted a war, she just learned I could fight, too.