𝐓𝐘𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐓 | 𝐍𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐎

one

Horace pulled the blankets back over his head, as his alarm began blaring. Another night of partying and drinking had him once again, struggling to get out of bed.

It was his freshmen year of college and he finally felt like he had independence and freedom in his own right. Back home, Horace had a reputation of being not only a drug dealer, but a lady's man.

After breaking up with his long-term girlfriend, Aisha, he had began to pursue daily hookups with a couple of girls from his high school. All of which came to an abrupt ending once he decided to attend college.

Horace attending college was a shock for everyone around him, except him. He'd always been school-oriented, he just fell onto the wrong path which came with making bad decisions. Getting his hands on his brother's gun at the tender age of 15 started the beginning of a new era for him.

"Run that shit 'fore I blow yo brains out, bitch ass nigga." Horace held his finger on the trigger, and waved it in the older one's face. Kentrell Gaulden had been his long-term rival as they found themselves consistently beefing over territory, girlfriends, anything the human mind could think of.

It hadn't always been like that for the two, as they used to go undetected on each other's radar. It wasn't until Horace found Aisha cheating on him with Kentrell, that his hatred for the other truly grew.

This new found hatred burnt a hole in Horace's mind. It was an anger he couldn't explain or control. He'd find himself being overwhelmed and punching whatever was around him when he let his mind rest on the other individual.

He pointed the gun at Kentrell's temple, making sure to not give him any breathing room.

Kentrell snickered, and balled up his fist while moving the bag containing the weed behind him.

"Do it." He taunted. Horace wore a confused expression on his face, the ski mask covering it. He felt his hand begin to shake as he wasn't expecting Kentrell to be so at ease with a gun pointed between his eyes.

"C'mon. You know the rules. Don't pull that shit out if you ain't gon use it. Shoot me." His voice grew louder and raspier as he egged Horace on to pull the trigger.

After blanking, Horace came back to and slowly lowered the gun. "Fuck you nigga." He began using the gun as an object to hit Kentrell over the face with, leaving bruises from the top of his head to his chin. He kicked him while he was down, before running to get back in the blacked out truck.

The memories played over in Horace's mind. He had an ounce of regret for how the situation played out, but didn't feel too bad. After all, the two continued their beef after that allowing it to never come to an end.

"Fuck man.. I missed breakfast." He palmed his face and got up from the bed, starting his daily tasks.

Horace had just moved into the dorm room and was waiting to be assigned a roommate. Originally from Florida, he decided to move to Atlanta to pursue his degree in Health Science at Morehouse College.

Morehouse was an all-male HBCU, that was nearby two neighboring colleges. Spelman College, an all girls school, and Clark Atlanta University, a traditional college containing both.

Being at an all-male school felt awkward to him, but he wasn't too concerned as the girls were just a walk away.

He heard a knock at his dorm, already knowing who'd be on the other side.

"Horaceeee! Fuck you still doing getting ready nigga, it's time to go hit up the University Center so we can scope sum bitches out at Spelman and Clark." Demario spoke.

Horace had met Demario at a frat party and the two quickly got acquainted over their love for women.

"Nigga I told you just call me Nardo. Nah, but that party last night took me out. I don't think Imma be able to make it bruh."

Demario gave the Nardo a light punch on the shoulder. "Ain't no way you let shawty convince you to drink that much.." Nardo nodded, accepting defeat.

"Just text me if there's moves or a party tonight. Imma catch up with you later." They dapped each other up, and Nardo pulled out his laptop dedicated to finishing up his work.

A few moments later, there was a subtle knock at the door again. This time, a woman with glasses, a business suit and bun peered into the room.

"Hello Mr. Walls, I am Cindy. I work in the housing department for Morehouse College. I just wanted to give you your housing contract, as well as usher your new roommate to the room." She held out an envelope with a red stamp on it.

Nardo nodded and grabbed the envelope from her hand. He seen a tall figure standing behind her, but couldn't visibly see him as he was facing the opposite direction.

Brushing it off, he laid back on his bed facing away from the door.

"Aye bruh, I'm cool and we'll get along as long as you stay on your side and let me stay on mine."

He was already thrown off by the silence from the other boy. So this nigga gon act like I ain't just say sum to him? He balled up his fists but quickly calmed down.

Turning around, his heart sank as he looked the boy up and down.

"Thought they said this school was boys only? Why they gave me a BITCH for a roommate then." Kentrell said throwing his baggage onto the empty bed.