Page 16

A million thoughts ran through my head as I tried to think of a way to get out of my current situation. The more I observed my body, the more depressed I became. Not only were there fresh bruises, but there was also a mixture of partially healed ones all over my stomach, legs, and sides. I used to love dressing sexy and going out with my girls, but I couldn’t even wear a crop top without exposing my secret.

The weather had turned cooler, making it easier to cover up, but I was tired of being limited in my style. I also hated feeling as if everyone could see right through me. My paranoia got the best of me whenever I was around crowds, and I couldn’t help but feel like everyone could see what I was hiding. It was becoming physically and mentally exhausting.

After my shower, I put on lotion and got dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and leggings. I didn’t put on any makeup, but I did apply concealer to my more visible bruises, especially the ones on my neck. I didn’t have any classes for the day, so I decided to catch up on some reading and stay in my room. My plans were quickly derailed when someone knocked on my door.

“Umm, hey, someone is at the door for you.” Tommie gave me a strange look, but I wasn’t sure what it meant. It couldn’t have been Rondell; she always let him in without hesitation.

“Who is it?” I got up from my bed, grabbed my university hoodie, and headed to the front room. Tommie followed behind me, and I wondered who it could possibly be. I got the shock of my life when my eyes landed on my handsome best friend, Solomon, and his cousin, Draike. They were dressed in all black, their faces set in matching scowls. Solomon’s long locs were piled into a messy bun on top of his head, and I couldn’t help but admire how fine my bestie was.

His smooth cocoa-brown skin was covered in tattoos, one of them was my nickname, Honey Bee.

“W-What are you doing here?” I asked, yanking my hoodie sleeves down to make sure my wrists were completely covered. He glanced down at my arms, then back up at me. I gulped, feeling nervous under his intense gaze.

“I told you I would be seeing you soon. Did you think I was playin’?”

His tone was low and even, giving nothing away. I couldn’t tell whether he was upset or his usual nonchalant self.

“Yeah, but I didn’t think you were coming this soon. You’re always busy with work and everything.” I tried to calm down so I wouldn’t give away how nervous I was, but I had a feeling I wasn’t doing a very good job.

“Are you gonna let us in, or are you gonna keep talking to me like a stranger trying to sell you a refurbished phone?” He pressed. A grin spread across his face, and I immediately jumped into his arms. Solomon had always been my safe space from the moment we met. He was my secret keeper and the person who knew all of my hopes and dreams.

He listened to me without judgment and gave me sound advice when I wasn’t sure of myself. I often told him he wasn't like other guys his age. His maturity was far beyond his years, and I was grateful to have someone like him in my corner.

“Now all of a sudden you’re happy to see me.” He grumbled, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tighter. It hurt, but I tried my best to play it off.

“Don’t be so grumpy. I wasn’t expecting you, that’s all.” Hugging his neck, I leaned back and kissed all over his face. Draike howled with laughter while Solomon simply shook his head.

“The two of you are a trip. I’m glad I don’t have a bestie because ain’t no damn way.” Draike shook his head, then walked further into the apartment. I was still in Solomon’s arms as he closed the door behind us.

“Why didn’t you tell me it was just Solly at the door? You had me thinking it was my brother’s or worse, my momma.” I questioned Tommie, who was in the kitchen making a smoothie.

“Hell, they were dressed like they were either about to deliver some bad news or take somebody out. I didn’t know what was going on.” She shrugged.

“My bad for that. Your sneaky friend over here has been giving me the blues, so I had to pull up and set some shit straight,” Solomon asserted in a smooth tone.

“I didn’t know all that. I guess it explains why her eyes got so big when she saw you at the door. I thought y'all were beefin’ or something because I noticed you haven’t been around as much.” Tommie added, making me glare in her direction.

“Naw, we’ll never have beef on my watch. Her sneaky ass just likes to disappear when she knows she’s doing something I won’t approve of.”

The back of my neck grew hot as I felt Solomon’s eyes burning a hole through the side of my face.

“I can’t believe you called me sneaky!” I shrieked even though he wasn’t completely wrong. I had been known to keep a secret or two in my day, but what girl hadn’t?

“I’m not even gonna play around with you because we both know it’s true. I don’t even know why you keep trying to hide stuff from me now, because you know we’re connected. I could barely sleep the last few nights because I know you’re up to something. You’ve got me missing out on money to come up here and see about you. This shit is crazy.”

“I keep telling you there’s nothing going on with me. You know I’m trying to focus on my grades and stuff. Last semester wasn’t exactly my finest hour, and the last thing I want is my momma thinking I’m out here slacking off.”

“Well, are you? Cause based on the videos I’ve been seeing, it doesn’t seem like you’ve been doing much studying.” Solo pressed.

Tommie and Draike snickered as Solomon gave me the side-eye.

“Yes, I have. Now, I’m not going to sit here and pretend I never go out because that would be a lie. I don’t overdo it, though. I’ve been working on finding the right balance, and I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job if I say so myself.” It was the truth. I made sure to study and turn in all of my assignments before I went out with my girls. My family paid for my tuition, and I never wanted them to think they were wasting their money.

“Well, since y’all are here, we might as well do something fun. The frats are having a rib cook-off, and there'll be other food trucks and vendors out. They’re gonna have live performances and everything.” Tommie suggested.

I heard about the event, but I hadn’t planned to leave my room after what happened between Rondell and me. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I needed a good day of fun after everything I had been through.

“That sounds dope as hell. I’m trying to see what all the college life has to offer,” Draike chimed in, rubbing his hands together with a mischievous grin on his face. He and Solomon favored each other a lot, but he was a little shorter, with a low Caesar cut and hazel cat-shaped eyes. I was sure the ladies on campus would be drooling once they saw the two of them. The thought alone irritated me because I didn’t want anyone looking at my best friend with lust in their eyes.