Waves of Destiny

1

Jaéclyn's alarm buzzed loudly, echoing through the small apartment she shared with Ciëlle. The sun barely peeked through the blinds, casting soft rays of light on the cluttered living room, evidence of last night's party.

"Ciëlle, is it really this hard to clean the fuck up?" Jaéclyn yelled, her patience already worn thin as she stepped over empty red cups and snack wrappers. She spotted Ciëlle's shoes haphazardly thrown near the couch.

From the kitchen, the smell of stale alcohol and leftover pizza lingered in the air. Jaéclyn scrunched her nose in disgust, grabbing a trash bag to start cleaning.

"Yea, it's kinda hard. Wanna clean up for me?" Ciëlle's voice came from behind her, groggy but with a teasing lilt. She leaned against the doorway, wearing an oversized t-shirt, her hair a wild mess.

"This bitch..." Jaéclyn muttered under her breath. "Girl, be fucking for real."

She threw a dirty napkin at Ciëlle, who dodged it with a laugh before retreating to her room, leaving Jaéclyn to deal with the mess. Despite her irritation, a small smile tugged at Jaéclyn's lips. Ciëlle was like a sister to her—a messy, chaotic sister, but family all the same.

After cleaning up and grabbing a quick breakfast, Jaéclyn made her way to her first class of the day. Spelman's campus was bustling with students, the air buzzing with the energy of a new semester.

"Hey Jaé!" Maddie called out as Jaéclyn walked into the lecture hall. Maddie's bright smile was contagious, even at this hour.

"Hey Madz, you good?" Jaéclyn asked as she slid into the seat next to her.

"I sho' am after getting that dick last night. Whew!" Maddie fanned herself dramatically, making Jaéclyn laugh out loud, earning a few curious looks from their classmates.

"Girl, what nigga you fucked?" Jaéclyn asked, her interest piqued.

"Some boy named Trey," Maddie replied nonchalantly, scrolling through her phone.

Jaéclyn's laughter faded as she processed the name. "You mean Treyvon?"

"The light-skinned dreadhead," Maddie confirmed, oblivious to Jaéclyn's sudden tension.

Jaéclyn's stomach twisted. Treyvon, her ex's little brother. The memories of her past relationship, the love she lost, and the tragedy that followed came rushing back, clouding her thoughts.

"Damn..." was all she could manage to say.

As the professor started the lecture, Jaéclyn's mind drifted. She couldn't focus, the unexpected connection between Maddie and Treyvon occupying her thoughts. It had been two years since her last relationship ended in heartbreak and grief. She hadn't realized how much it still affected her until now.

During a break in the lecture, Jaéclyn pulled out her phone, her fingers hesitating over the screen. She quickly typed out a message to Treyvon, curiosity and a bit of concern driving her.

Baby brother💙 

Jaéclyn: Wtf you doing here? 

Treyvon: Yo, what? Who told you? 

Jaéclyn: Don't worry and answer my question. 

Treyvon: Came to surprise you. 

Jaéclyn: Awww, you for real? 

Treyvon: Yea, missed my big sis.

A smile tugged at Jaéclyn's lips despite herself. Treyvon had always been like a little brother to her, and seeing him in town brought back a flood of memories, both good and bad. But there was something comforting in the idea of having him around, even if it was a reminder of what she lost.

After class, Jaéclyn and Maddie headed out to grab lunch, the heat of the midday sun pressing down on them. As they slid into Maddie's car, Jaéclyn immediately rolled down the windows, desperate for fresh air.

"Girl, your car is a sauna," Jaéclyn complained, waving her hand in front of her face.

"Sorry, it's been sitting in the sun all day," Maddie laughed as she started the engine, blasting the AC. They pulled up to a Chick-fil-A, placing their orders through the drive-thru.

As they waited for their food, Maddie turned to Jaéclyn, a mischievous grin on her face. "You trynna go out tonight?"

Jaéclyn made a face, but before she could answer, she remembered Treyvon and Ciëlle. They'd probably ask her the same thing, and she couldn't avoid it forever.

"Yeah, I guess I will," she replied, trying to sound enthusiastic.

Maddie squealed in excitement, immediately launching into a detailed plan for her outfit and hair, leaving Jaéclyn yawning but smiling. Despite her reservations, maybe a night out was just what she needed—especially with Treyvon back in town.

Back at her apartment, Jaéclyn sat on her bed, staring at her closet. She hadn't been out in ages, and the idea of partying again felt strange. But with Ciëlle, Maddie, and now Treyvon all counting on her, she couldn't back out.

She picked out a simple but stylish outfit—a black crop top and high-waisted jeans that hugged her curves just right. As she dressed, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. For a moment, she saw the girl she used to be, the one who loved going out, meeting new people, and living in the moment. She wondered if that girl was still in there somewhere.

Her phone buzzed with a text from Treyvon:

Treyvon: You ready for tonight, sis? Gonna be lit!

Jaéclyn smiled, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Tonight could be a new beginning—or at the very least, a night to remember.

She grabbed her purse, checked her reflection one last time, and headed out to meet her friends, ready to face whatever the night had in store.