Lookism:Legends

The old staircase creaked under their weight as Daniel and Jalen pushed open the door to the rooftop. The cool night air greeted them like a relief from the suffocating stench inside the house.

Both of them stumbled over to the edge, leaned over the rusted railing, and let it all out.

"Ugh," Daniel groaned, wiping his mouth. "What the hell was in that?"

"Death. With a hint of soy sauce," Jalen muttered, taking deep breaths to steady himself.

They both sank to the floor, sitting back against the wall, staring up at the stars in silence.

The rooftop door creaked again.

Like What and So Funny stepped out, walking over carefully with two small bottles of water in hand.

"You guys okay?" So Funny asked, handing Daniel a bottle.

"Yeah… thanks," he said, accepting it gratefully.

Jalen nodded, taking his with a small smile.

There was a moment of quiet between them, only the distant hum of the city filling the air.

Jalen asked "So why did you guys run away from home."

"You know," Like What started, sitting beside Jalen, "we didn't just run away for fun."

So Funny sat down too, her voice softer than usual. "Home wasn't… safe."

Jalen glanced sideways, giving them space to speak.

After saying they're reasons for leaving home.

Daniel looked at them with a bit more understanding now.

"Sorry you had to go through that," he said.

Before anyone could respond, a loud voice echoed from below.

"Oi! Get your asses down here!" It was Riley.

The girls sighed.

"That's our cue," Like What said, standing up.

So Funny lingered a moment longer before following her. "Thanks for not being jerks."

As they left, Jalen and Daniel stayed seated, watching the stars again.

"This place is messed up," Daniel said.

"Yeah," Jalen agreed, "but we're here now. Let's fix what we can."