𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞|| 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐱𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝

16.

Willow sat in her car after she dropped off Tray, and disrealization hit her. She felt empty. For the first time, when she had actually found purpose in the little life she had, everything seemed to be drifting apart. She was slowly becoming alone, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Reese let out a loud, agonizing scream and broke down into more tears. She didn't want to die she just wanted to be free, to get out of this mess. She knew she had to think fast.

Reese  got home and stared into the mirror at herself, splashing some cold water on her face. Maybe this was all just a dream, she thought, but it wasn't  it was real. Reese thought she had learned everything about this world, but she hadn't. The more she saw, the more she realized she didn't know anything at all.

Reese's phone rang. She checked the caller ID Keon. Reese answered and tried to compose herself before speaking.
"Yo," Reese said, trying to keep her tone cool.

Keon scratched his head, and the line fell silent for a moment.
"I thought they killed your ass," Keon said, tears welling up in his eyes. "That nigga Tray just messed up everything, I swear," Keon continued. "But Reese, I got something for you if you're in."

Reese sat down on the cold concrete ground and scratched her head.
"What is it?" she asked.

"Listen to me, Reese," Keon said, closing a door behind him. "I think Ava is coming with us too," he continued.

"Coming with us where?" Reese asked.

"My granny has a beach house in California. We could just go there, run one more scheme, then leave in the next 2 weeks  or so. You in?" Keon's voice was filled with determination, like he had this all planned out already.

Reese bit her lip and thought about it. A fresh start, she thought. She considered her and Willow, the family they might have together.
"I'm in, nigga," Reese said.

"Alright," Keon replied. "We just gotta stay on the low, alright? And don't tell nobody, Reese, on my soul, please," Keon pleaded.

"Yeah," Reese nodded, hanging up.

Reese thought long and hard about it and pulled out a stash of money she had saved up under her bed. She slowly counted it—it was about 50 grand. Reese decided to walk over to Willow's house. Willow was on her bed doing her assignments when she noticed how drained Reese looked. She seemed so tired and lost. Willow immediately got up as Reese sat on the bed, and Willow wiped the tears that poured from Reese's eyes like a never-ending river.

" What's going on, my love?" Willow whispered softly, her voice full of concern.

Reese shook her head, unable to form the words, her hand clutching the money tightly. "I don't know what to do, Willow. I've got 50 grand saved up, but it's nothing compared to what I owe. I just want out... but there's no way out."

Reese began to explain the situation with Keon. "Reese, I don't want to lose you," Willow said. "Why don't you come with me?" Reese asked, looking at Willow. "Reese, I don't know," Willow replied. "It's just my momma." "I'll get a job," Reese said, "and I'll send money to her every week," she continued. Willow paused to think and wiped her tears. "I don't know," she said.

"Reese, get up! I'm gonna be back, don't worry. I gotta do something," Reese said. Willow sat there and watched as Reese left, wishing she could hold her for one last time.

Reese arrived at Tray's trap house and saw him sitting alone in the living room. "We need to talk, nigga," Reese said. Tray looked at her with empty eyes.

"I'm done, Tray. I'm done helping you out; I'm done with everything. You messed up, Tray, and you're always dragging me into this shit!" Reese said, feeling her anger boil over. "Have you ever thought about me and what I want?" she asked. "I didn't want none of this shit."

Tray stood up. "You think I want this shit, Reese? Our parents dragged us into this, and there's no way out no fucking way out!" he shouted.

Reese held her head in frustration. "They dragged us into this, and you, Tray, you're digging a deeper fucking hole every single time. It's like a loop. You don't learn, nigga! You don't fucking learn!" Reese shouted.

"I'm leaving soon," Reese said. "I don't want you to see me. Don't contact me, none!" she added. Tray's face looked like he had just been struck by lightning.

"Reese, you can't leave me, bro!" he cried. "What am I going to do? I don't wanna die, Reese! I don't wanna fucking die!" he shouted, pushing her.

Reese pushed Tray back against the wall. "You think I don't wanna die too, nigga?" she said, stepping up to Tray. "I don't, Tray. I don't wanna!"

"I don't want you to speak to me, none! None!" Reese shouted, walking out the door. Tray cried out, "Reese, you can't leave!" he said, a knot forming in his chest.

A/N: Thoughts? I know this is a very short chapter, but the next chapter is gonna be long so stay tuned! Remember to vote and leave a follow for more stories to be uploaded by me! <3