LAST LOAD, FIRST LOOK

The laundromat was sticky with summer heat, the air thick like syrup, but Zoe didn’t mind. She had a box fan going, the one in the corner that made that odd clicking sound every now and then. She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and bent over the dryer door, tossing in the last load of wet clothes, the sound of her foster siblings’ voices softly echoing in the background.


The twins, Kira and Tati, were fifteen and full of life. They made TikTok videos together, their laughter and music bouncing off the tiles. Jayden, the youngest at fourteen, was outside trying to catch up to the taco truck that had just pulled up. Zoe would let him go this time. Saturdays were her day off from the nursing home—her only break from long shifts caring for others—but today, cramps and cravings had her dreaming of tacos and Dubai strawberries from the bodega next door.

“Don’t forget the napkins and green sauce!” she called, though she knew he wouldn’t hear her.

It wasn’t the first time she’d taken over laundry duty for the whole family. Mom had broken her leg again, and Zoe, now nineteen, had spent hours that week folding, sorting, and washing, with machines buzzing around her. Being the oldest felt like carrying the weight of everyone’s needs, and sometimes it was hard to feel seen. They lived upstairs in a cozy apartment above the bodega, a quiet little space with lots of warm sunlight and the faint scent of pastries drifting up from below.

She shifted the last load from the washer to a plastic bin and bent over to grab her quarter, which had slipped between the machines.

Damage by H.E.R. started playing on the speakers over the laundromat.

The beat dropped, and Zoe's fingers tightened around the dryer door. The song reminded her of, Malik—her ex, now a famous podcast host stirring up gender debates all over TikTok and Instagram. Not exactly the kind of advice she'd take to heart. She shook it off.

She crouched on the floor, brushing her fingers along the cold metal, trying to find the quarter. Sweat trickled down her neck, but she wasn’t stopping. The twins were still bickering, this time over TikTok about taking a trip around to Canal Street for some knockoff designer bags.

The boy from the laundromat leaned casually against the counter. Milk chocolate skin, waves spinning, just out of high school. Their eyes met briefly, and Zoe quickly looked away. She dusted off her hands and noticed he was gone. No quarter for her yet, but she didn’t stress it, she needed detergent anyway and the bodega next door was cheaper.

Outside, the city was alive. Neighbors argued over a chess game, taxi horns honked, kids were chasing each other while someone yelled about a broken window. Zoe laughed lightly at the chaos, feeling some strange beauty in it—the hectic rhythm of life around her. She glanced back and accidentally bumped into the boy, who grinned.

“Hard to not notice all this, huh?” Marcus said, nodding toward the street noise.


“I know right,” Zoe laughed. “It’s so loud and messy…”
Marcus tilted his head, smiling. “Kind of beautiful, though. Even more so with you in the middle of it.”

Zoe felt herself blushing, smiling at the little compliment. “Thanks,” she said, brushing off the moment with a laugh.

“I’m Marcus, by the way,” he added, holding out his hand.
“Zoe,” she replied, shaking it, she couldn't help but smile.

They exchanged a few small jokes about neighbors fussing over nothing. Zoe grabbed her detergent and dryer sheets at the bodega, keeping a dollar for her quarters.

As she headed toward the register, Marcus handed her four quarters for the machines.

About thirty minutes later, as the laundry was done and she was just about finished—the twins came in.

“Here you go, Zo,” Kira said, handing Zoe a small Celine bag. “You deserve this, sis. “Thanks for always doing so much for us.”

Zoe gasped, tucking it under her arm, and picked up the laundry basket.

“Aww, thanks, guys. I appreciate it!” Zoe said.

Just before she stepped outside, Zoe and Marcus shared one last glance. Their eyes met and for a moment something unspoken was there between them. Zoe’s chest lifted slightly at it, and she walked out with a little more bounce in her step

“Zoe!” Her mom called from the window above. “Dinner! Come up now before the food gets cold!”

As she headed up the stairs, her siblings following behind her. She felt a strange little flutter in her chest, like something new had just started.

Meoshi Airey is a writer and creative from Grand Rapids, Michigan, residing in Atlanta, Georgia. A traveling hairstylist and flight attendant, she finds inspiration in the people and places she encounters worldwide. Her work reflects storytelling, creativity, and exploration. Outside of writing, Meoshi enjoys reading, shopping, traveling, and spending time with her two teenagers. She is pursuing a BS in Media Communications at Full Sail University.