Black Beauty

Meet Corey

Corey walked away from Latreece's apartment after standing outside for fifteen minutes and calling her name. Finally he gave up and walked away. He was halfway to his apartment when he saw Latreece leaving Jade's apartment. His heart dropped into his stomach. Oh god. He'd warned her.

He stood against the wall of an apartment out of view. Latreece had a something in her hand and smiling as if it was Christmas.

"What is that?" he asked, once she'd passed him. She was so absorbed in what she held in her hand, she didn't even notice him walking beside her.

"Oh shit, you scared me."

"I just saw you come from Jade's apartment. I told you to stay away from her."

Latreece lips twisted into a sneer. "You don't control me. What are you even doing here? You're supposed to be in school."

"I told the principal I would take you your homework."

"Good I got it. Now go away." She grabbed the papers from his hand and stepped away.

But he couldn't let her leave. He grabbed her arm. "What's that in your hand?"

She shook his arm away and looked at him with pure hatred. "I am no longer any of your business."

"Latreece what you saw. Me and Shemeya that was nothing. I'm not messing around with her."

"I. Do. Not. Care," Latreece spat. "You knew how I felt. Out of respect, you should have stayed away from her. You couldn't do that so now you need stay away from me."

"You don't understand," he began.

"I don't want to understand. It's been long enough. We're about to graduate. We need to move on anyway."

"Latreece. I love you."

"Now you love me. Too little too late."

The stubborn girl. But he still loved her and he couldn't let Jade get away with hurting her.

"Fine I'll leave you alone. But give me what she gave you."

"Hell naw."

He grabbed her hand. "Give it to me."

She tried to pull her hand away but Corey gripped tighter, hoping the force would make her drop it.

He could see her fighting it. Her face contorting with pain and determination.

He was taller and stronger, but he knew her will was stronger. Women.

"Is there a problem?" he dropped her hand. His blood to ice and his breath caught in his throat.

Latreece was grinning from ear to ear as turned from him to Jade.

"Cra- Jade, Corey has been warning me to stay away from you. He says you are a monster," Latreece said.

Jade paused and took him. Her gaze felt like a physical thing. And he felt an overwhelming urge to pee as she looked him up and down before she finally settled on his eyes.

"Why do you think I'm dangerous?" Crazy Jade asked.

His mouth dropped, it felt as dry as a desert. "I didn't say you were dangerous."

"He's lying. That's why he looks so scared," Latreece said with a wry smile that cut his heart.

Crazy Jade stepped to him, her freckles dancing across her cheeks. Her eyes on fire. "What do you know about me?"

Fuck this. He turned and ran away.