**When Colors Collide**

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 Johnson stood on the basketball court, the afternoon sun casting playful shadows across the asphalt. His short black hair glimmered under the sun, a testimony to the summer heat. He dribbled the ball with skill, his heart racing with the rhythm of the game. Basketball was his escape, his passion in a world that sometimes felt heavy with expectations. On the other side of the park, Annalise Anderson sat cross-legged on the grass, her long blond hair swaying gently in the breeze, blue eyes sparkling with laughter as she watched her friends practice cheerleading routines. She was the kind of girl who could brighten even the dullest days — a ray of sunshine personified. With every giggle, Malachi stole glances at her. He’d seen her around school, her laughter infectious, drawing everyone in. Their worlds collided one fateful Saturday afternoon when the local community center organized a sports day for the neighborhood kids. Malachi had come with his basketball crew, and Annalise was there to support her cheerleading squad. As fate would have it, they both ended up in line for the same snack stand. “Hey, I’m Malachi,” he introduced himself, taking a deep breath to quell the butterflies fluttering in his stomach. “Annalise! Nice to meet you!” she beamed, extending a hand. Their eyes locked, and in that tiny moment, something stirred within them both — a spark that felt electric. Over snacks of nachos and soda, they found themselves laughing effortlessly, sharing stories about their favorite hobbies and dreams for the future. Malachi spoke about his aspiration to make the varsity basketball team, while Annalise animatedly shared her goal of trying out for an acting role in the school play. They were two different worlds converging, and they found their differences intriguing rather than divisive. As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, Malachi felt a familiar stirring in his heart — the kind that whispered he wanted to see Annalise again. When they exchanged numbers, their fingers brushed lightly, sending another wave of electricity through him. The next few weeks passed in a blissful blur. They began to hang out after school, exploring the city, sharing ice cream cones and jokes. Malachi introduced Annalise to streetball, and she surprised him with her competitive spirit and ability to hold her own on the court, even if she wasn’t as polished as the boys. In the same breath, Annalise invited Malachi to cheer practice, where he cheered louder for her than any of the girls. Yet, amid their budding romance, Harper Miller drifted in the background. Tall and skinny with a cascade of glossy brunette hair, Harper was Annalise's best friend, the one who stuck by her side through thick and thin. But lately, Harper had been watching Malachi too, a curl of jealousy tightening her features whenever Annalise gushed about their latest escapade. She admired Malachi’s charm and athleticism, and soon, that admiration morphed into something deeper — an infatuation that twisted her stomach in knots. One Friday afternoon, the group decided to spend the night at Annalise’s house for a movie marathon. Pizza and popcorn dotted the living room, excitement buzzing in the air as they prepared to dive into a series of blockbuster films. Malachi settled next to Annalise on the couch, their shoulders touching, igniting sparks of warmth in both their hearts. Midway through the third movie, however, Harper shifted in her seat, unable to contain her feelings any longer. Clearing her throat, she blurted out, “Malachi! Can I talk to you for a second?” The sudden interruption drew the attention of everyone in the room, surprise coloring Annalise’s face as she realized the tension suffusing the atmosphere. “Uh, sure,” Malachi replied, glancing at Annalise before rising from the couch. They stepped outside onto the porch, the cool night air enveloping them. Harper’s initial bravado faded, leaving behind a hint of shyness. “Look, I know you and Annalise are getting close… but can I just say I think you’re really cool?” Malachi hesitated, the clash of emotions swirling like a tempest in his chest. “Thanks, Harper. I think you’re great too.” “Right. But…” she took a deep breath, gathering her courage, “I like you. Like, really like you, and I think we’d be great together.” Malachi’s heart sank. “Harper, I—” Suddenly, the door swung open, and Annalise stepped out, eyes wide with confusion and hurt. “What’s going on?” “Uh, just talking,” Malachi stuttered. He could feel Annalise's eyes burning into him, a mixture of betrayal and confusion swirling in the depths of her blue irises. “Is that all?” Harper pressed, a defensive edge creeping into her tone. “You can’t deny that we’d be good together.” “Enough, Harper,” Annalise interjected, her voice steady but strained. “You’re my best friend. This isn’t the time or place for this.” Malachi’s heart raced, torn between sympathy for Harper and the girl he cared for deeply. “Maybe I should go,” he murmured, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. “No, Malachi!” Annalise reached for his arm, her expression softening intensely. “Don’t go. I want you here.” They stood there, the world around them fading. The air buzzed with tension, emotions tangled like the stars in the night sky. In that moment, Malachi knew that what they had was worth holding onto, even if it meant confronting the difficult truths that loomed ahead. Malachi and Annalise returned inside, and although the energy of the night had shifted, they vowed to navigate the complexities together. Through laughter and tears, misunderstandings and discovery, their bond strengthened like a thread weaving through the fabric of both love and friendship. In the chaos of middle school hearts, Malachi and Annalise learned early that true love can withstand storms, but it was their willingness to face those storms together that transformed their relationship from mere infatuation into something beautifully real.