All the King's Men ( An Urban Love Story )

♟A Favor♟

Jaden sat in her accounting class struggling to focus on the professor that stood in front of her going over the final. Her lack of sleep was taking a toll on her.

I can't do this, she thought, gathering up her things. She left the lecture hall. Trying to find a quiet place, she went to the library and found an empty corner to rest.

Laying her head down on the table in front of her, Jaden began to quietly weep. She was so exhausted.

After her and Desmond broke up she took an uber back to her apartment but found out her neighbor down the way had been murdered. She was now terrified to stay in her apartment if anyone could just break in like they did. She packed some clothes and checked into a motel near her campus, but she didn't feel completely safe there either now that she no longer had her gun.

She didn't know what else to do.

She unlocked her phone and opened Instagram, going straight to her inbox, she sent a message.

Moments later she got a call from an unknown number. "Hello," she answered.

"Everything okay?" Jace's voice came through the phone, sounding worried.

"I'm sorry to bother you like this, but can you do me a huge favor?" She paused, disappointed in herself for reaching out to him in the first place, "I wanted to know if I can stay at the apartment you have by the school. It'll only be a few nights. I don't want to keep paying for this motel, and these Ubers are killing me..." She rambled on.

"Why are you in a motel? The apart—"

"Jace, don't." She interrupted him, "and please don't tell your brother." She begged.

He sighed into the phone, "I can meet you in an hour and get your shit out that motel" he whispered.

"Okay." She hung up.

An hour later, Jaden sat on a wet bench outside the apartment building waiting for Jace with her backpack and tote bag full of clothes. Luckily, it had just stopped raining.

"Jaden," a male voice called out.

She looked up from the ground to see Corey approaching her.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hi," Jaden replied giving a fake smile.

"Why are you sitting outside? You know you can hang out in here?" He told her walking over to the door and opening it for her to walk inside, "You don't live here, do you?" He asked, looking at the bag on her shoulder.

"No, I'm waiting for someone." She disclosed.

"Oh, how are classes going?"

"I'm just ready for them to be over," she admitted.

Before they could continue their conversation, Jaden spotted Jace coming through the door that led to the parking garage.

"I'll see you around, Corey." She told him before walking away.

"Okay, text me," he called out, seeing her walk over to a guy.

Jace silently pressed the elevator call button as Jaden approached. He reached out his hand for her bag and she gave it to him as the two got inside.

Once the door closed, Jace spoke, "Jae, I know you and my brother beefin right now, but don't make him have to hurt these lil niggas." He said in a low tone.

"He's just a classmate." she explained, "and your brother needs to worry about himself."

"Yeah, like that's gonna happen." He snickered.