**A Love in the Middle of It All**

Prompt: A middle school African American boy named Malachi with short black hair meets a white girl named Annalise with long blond hair and blue eyes and they fall in love, But disaster strikes when Harper, Annalise’s best friend, a tall skinny brunette falls in love with Malachi

Malachi Parker had always been a quiet kid, blending into the background of his middle school life. He was the kind of person who quietly observed the world around him, choosing to express himself through his art rather than through his words. With features that reflected a rich blend of his African American heritage, he had short black hair and warm brown eyes that sparkled with creativity. Seventh grade had been just like any other so far—until he met Annalise. Annalise Carson stood out in the chaotic hallways of Maplewood Middle School. With her long golden-blond hair that flowed like sunlight and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through to the soul, she was the girl everyone noticed. While she was friendly to everyone, Malachi had sensed a deeper connection when he first laid eyes on her in art class. They had been assigned a collaborative project, and as they began to paint together, Malachi felt a connection that was unexpected, thrilling, and a little terrifying. “Do you like to paint?” Annalise asked, her voice a melodic contrast to the usual clamor of their peers. Malachi nodded, feeling a warm blush creep into his cheeks. “I love it. It helps me express things I can’t say out loud,” he admitted, his guard momentarily lowered. “Same here,” she replied, her blue eyes brightening. “I think there's so much beauty in the way we see the world.” They spent the period lost in conversation, sharing stories of their families and dreams for the future. It was as if they were the only two people in the whole class, the noise of brushes against paper fading away. As weeks turned into months, their friendship blossomed. Malachi often found himself daydreaming about Annalise. He loved the way she cared deeply about everyone around her, how she lit up when talking about her interests, how her laughter seemed to fill every space with joy. He would often sketch her in his notebook, capturing her in different moments—laughing, concentrating, or simply gazing out the window, lost in thought. But their growing bond did not go unnoticed. Harper, Annalise's best friend, was a towering presence with her tall, slender frame and long chestnut hair. A fierce protector of her friendships, Harper was the kind of girl who wore her heart on her sleeve but was also capable of sharp jealousy. Unbeknownst to Malachi, Harper had developed feelings for him as well, feelings that became harder to ignore as she saw his connection with Annalise deepen. Harper was usually confident, but the more she watched Annalise and Malachi together, the more insecure she felt. She had known Annalise for years, and they had always shared everything—secrets, dreams, even the boys they liked. But now, she found herself feeling possessive and threatened. One Friday after school, while walking home, Malachi's phone buzzed with a text. It was from Annalise, asking if he wanted to go to a local café with her that weekend. He could hardly contain his excitement as he texted back a quick “Yes!” However, their café date was soon turned into an unexpected group outing when Harper suggested they invite a few others along, including her crush, Josh. Reluctant but unable to say no, Annalise agreed, and Malachi found himself feeling slightly apprehensive about the situation. The close bond he had been developing with Annalise felt like it was being overshadowed by Harper's watchful eyes. At the café, Malachi tried to stay engaged in the conversation while feeling the weight of Harper's gaze on him. She constantly interrupted him and challenged his thoughts, and he felt more like a pawn in a game than an equal participant. The cheerful atmosphere that had been so warm suddenly felt stifling. As they walked home after the outing, Malachi decided he needed to speak with Annalise. They found a quiet corner of the park, away from the prying eyes of their friends. “Annalise, can we talk?” he asked hesitantly, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. “Of course!” she replied, her smile brightening the evening. “What’s up?” “I just feel like something's off,” he started. “It seems like Harper has been... different around us. Like she’s trying to interfere.” Annalise's smile faded, and Malachi could see the wheels turning in her mind. “Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. I think she may have feelings for you.” The revelation hung in the air, thick and heavy. “How can she? I've never given her any reason to think that we're anything but friends,” Malachi replied with frustration. “I don’t know, but I’ll talk to her,” Annalise said, determined. “She’s my best friend, and I don’t want to lose either of you.” The following days were tense as Harper’s jealousy became more apparent. Malachi could feel her glares burning into him in the hallways, but Annalise remained steadfast, trying to mediate and bring peace. However, that Friday, everything came to a head. At lunch, as Malachi and Annalise sat together, Harper approached with a stormy expression. “Why are you even hanging out with him, Annalise? He’s nothing like us,” Harper spat, her voice laced with bitterness. Malachi felt a rush of anger creeping up from his gut, but before he could respond, Annalise spoke up. “Harper, that’s not fair! Malachi is kind, talented, and we’ve really connected.” “You’re just going to throw away our friendship over some boy?” Harper challenged, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Malachi felt a surge of protectiveness for Annalise. “I’m not trying to come between you two, but you can’t dictate who she can be friends with.” At that moment, the cafeteria grew silent, all eyes on them. Harper’s face flushed with anger, and without warning, she threw her lunch tray down in frustration. “I can’t believe you would choose him over me! You're making a huge mistake!” As she stormed off, the tension in the air lingered like electricity. Malachi glanced at Annalise, whose expression was a mix of concern and frustration. “Malachi, I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I like you, but it’s complicated.” “I like you too, Annalise,” he confessed, his heart racing. “But I don’t want to make you choose.” “I know, but we can’t ignore our feelings,” she said firmly. As they sat together in the quiet aftermath of the chaos, surrounded by whispers and the remnants of lunch, Malachi took Annalise's hand in his. Some bonds were worth fighting for, and he was willing to face any storm for a love that felt so real, even under the weight of complications. In that moment, they both knew that the journey ahead would be challenging, but together, they might just navigate the labyrinth of middle school and emerge stronger for it.