Wrapped tight but never hidden, the headband becomes more than an accessory—it’s a quiet declaration. This story explores how Black women use hair, fabric, and ritual to claim softness without surrendering strength. Reflects on control, culture, and care, and how a piece of cloth calms coils, quiets scrutiny, and makes room for softness.

At 3 a.m., Shaw slept—trains passing, stars shining, houses quiet. I was awake, meant to be cleaning our room, the space Ivy and I had shared since the womb. Her side was immaculate; mine lived and breathed. Usually, those hours were freedom. But this night was different. I wasn’t smoothing sheets or wiping stains. I was holding Ivy’s cold hand, tubes breathing for her, wishing with everything in me that this were just another ordinary night.

Unruly explores the quiet story living inside every coil, curl, and strand. It speaks to how we’re taught to bend and straighten ourselves into shapes we were never meant to hold, and what it means to unlearn that. This piece reflects on identity, generational patterns, and the freedom that comes when we finally see our beauty as it is — not as it’s been defined for us.