None of your concern

3

It was a cool, overcast afternoon when Onika found herself in one of the quieter corners of Crown Heights High. The school had these hidden spots—places where people went to escape the drama and intensity of everyday life. For Onika, who was still adjusting to the brewing rivalry with Beyoncé and her crew, this was a welcome respite.

The past week had been a whirlwind. Ever since the scrimmage on the basketball court, Onika felt like she was constantly in Beyoncé's shadow. The girl dominated everything—sports, academics, social life. But it wasn't just Beyoncé. Lauren's calculated glances and Rihanna's unpredictable energy added to the tension that followed Onika everywhere.

As she leaned against the wall near the back of the school, enjoying the moment of silence, she heard a voice—a voice she didn't recognize.

"Didn't think anyone would be back here," the voice said, smooth and confident, with a hint of something darker beneath it.

Onika looked up and saw a girl she hadn't seen before, but something about her felt... familiar. She was tall, with deep brown skin and piercing eyes that seemed to see right through you. She had a presence that rivaled Beyoncé's, though there was something more guarded about her.

"I could say the same thing," Onika replied, folding her arms and studying the girl carefully. "You new here?"

The girl laughed, but there was no warmth in it. "Nah, not new. Just... forgotten, I guess."

Onika raised an eyebrow. "Forgotten?"

The girl's eyes flicked up, locking onto Onika's. "Kelly."

The name hit like a spark. Onika had heard it before, in the hushed conversations of the school halls. Kelly Rowland. The girl who used to run with Beyoncé's crew. She'd disappeared months ago, and no one seemed to talk about why. But Onika had heard rumors—about a falling out, about things between her and Beyoncé getting ugly.

Onika's interest piqued. "I've heard of you," she said cautiously, unsure of what Kelly's angle was. "You're Beyoncé's—"

Kelly's eyes darkened, cutting her off. "Was," she said, her voice laced with bitterness. "Not anymore."

Onika hesitated. She could sense there was a lot more to this story, but she wasn't sure how much Kelly was willing to share. There was a tension in the air that felt different from the rivalry between her and Beyoncé. It felt more... personal.

"What happened?" Onika asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Kelly gave her a bitter smile, leaning back against the wall. "Beyoncé happened," she said simply. "She has this way of pulling people in, making them think they're special. That they matter." Kelly's voice grew colder. "But it's always about her. You either fall in line, or you're out."

Onika's mind raced. The way Kelly spoke, it was clear there had been more between them than just friendship. She had heard bits and pieces from other students, the whispers of a deeper, more toxic relationship. Beyoncé was known for being intense, controlling, but hearing it from Kelly's mouth made it feel more real.

"You were close?" Onika asked, carefully stepping around the question of just how close.

Kelly let out a low laugh. "Close doesn't even begin to cover it. We were everything to each other, until she decided I wasn't enough." Her expression hardened. "She used me, the same way she uses everyone. But I was stupid enough to think it was different with me."

Onika stayed quiet, sensing that Kelly was letting her guard down in a way she probably didn't do with most people. She had her own complicated feelings about Beyoncé—mostly anger and frustration—but hearing Kelly's story made her realize there was more to Beyoncé than just the queen bee who ran the school.

"What about now?" Onika asked, her voice softening. "You still... care?"

Kelly's expression shifted, her gaze becoming distant. "You don't just stop caring, no matter how much you want to. But that doesn't mean I'm going to let her walk all over me anymore." She glanced at Onika. "I see the way you stand up to her. It's brave, I'll give you that. But be careful. Beyoncé doesn't take well to people challenging her, especially if you start getting too close."

Onika felt a flash of confusion. "Too close?"

Kelly smirked, her eyes gleaming with something dark. "You think she hasn't noticed you? She's watching you, sizing you up. But she's not just trying to beat you on the court, girl. She's trying to figure out if you're a threat in other ways too." She paused, letting her words hang in the air. "She doesn't like sharing."

Onika's heart skipped a beat, unsure of how to process what Kelly was saying. There had always been tension between her and Beyoncé, but the idea that it was something more—something deeper—wasn't something she'd considered.

"I'm not trying to get close to her," Onika said firmly. "I just don't take her bullshit."

Kelly chuckled, shaking her head. "It's not about what you're trying to do. It's about what she thinks you're doing." She pushed off the wall and stood up straight, her eyes locked on Onika's. "Just watch your back. Beyoncé's good at getting what she wants, and if she thinks you're a threat, she'll find a way to tear you down. Trust me, I've been there."

Onika watched as Kelly walked away, her presence leaving an unsettling weight in the air. The encounter left Onika with more questions than answers. Kelly's bitterness toward Beyoncé was clear, but there was still something unresolved there. Something toxic that hadn't completely broken, even after their fallout.

As she headed back to the main part of the school, Onika couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get more complicated. Beyoncé wasn't just a rival on the basketball court anymore—there were layers to her, layers that Kelly had barely scratched the surface of.

And now, Onika had to decide how deep she was willing to go.