None of your concern

4

The sun was setting as Onika made her way down the quiet streets of Crown Heights. She had stayed after school for basketball practice, pushing herself harder than usual after her conversation with Kelly. There was something about what Kelly had said that gnawed at her—the idea that Beyoncé was watching her, sizing her up in ways that went beyond their rivalry on the court.

It unsettled her, though she wasn't about to let it show. Onika had always prided herself on not being easily shaken, but the more time she spent at Crown Heights, the more she realized that Beyoncé was not just another high school queen bee. She was something else—someone who wielded control over people in ways that weren't always visible, but felt everywhere.

As she walked, Onika pulled her hoodie tighter against the evening breeze, her mind replaying Kelly's words. "She's trying to figure out if you're a threat... She doesn't like sharing."

What did that even mean? Onika had no interest in getting close to Beyoncé—none at all. Their rivalry had started the moment she refused to fall in line like everyone else, and she was determined to keep it that way. But there was something about Beyoncé's presence that lingered in her mind longer than it should have. It was like a puzzle she couldn't quite solve, no matter how hard she tried.

Lost in thought, Onika didn't notice the sleek black car pulling up beside her until the low hum of the engine cut through the quiet. She glanced over and felt her stomach drop when she saw who was behind the wheel.

Beyoncé.

She was driving with one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on the open window. Her eyes were fixed on Onika, and even in the fading light, Onika could see the intensity in them.

For a moment, neither of them said anything. The only sound was the gentle rumble of the engine and the distant noise of the city in the background. Onika's heart sped up, but she kept her expression neutral, unwilling to show any sign of weakness.

Beyoncé finally spoke, her voice smooth but with an edge that Onika had come to recognize. "Need a ride?"

Onika raised an eyebrow, unsure of whether Beyoncé was being serious or just toying with her. "I'm good," she replied, her tone cool. "I like walking."

Beyoncé's lips curled into a slight smile, but there was something predatory about it, like she was amused by Onika's refusal. "Suit yourself," she said, her eyes never leaving Onika's. "But it's a long walk. You sure you're up for it?"

There was a challenge in her words, the kind that made Onika's skin prickle with irritation. Beyoncé always had a way of making everything feel like a test, like she was constantly pushing people just to see how far they would go before they broke.

"I've walked longer," Onika shot back, her voice steady. She kept walking, but Beyoncé's car rolled along beside her, keeping pace effortlessly.

For a few moments, there was silence between them again, but the tension hung thick in the air. Onika didn't look at her, but she could feel Beyoncé's gaze, sharp and probing, as if she was trying to read her mind.

"You know," Beyoncé said suddenly, her voice softer but no less intense, "you've been on my mind a lot lately."

Onika's steps faltered for just a second, but she quickly regained her composure. "I doubt that," she replied, though her heart was now pounding in her chest. She wasn't sure where Beyoncé was going with this, and it made her uneasy.

Beyoncé tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing in that way they did when she was calculating something. "I don't forget people who stand out," she said. "You've been making a lot of noise since you got here."

Onika finally stopped walking and turned to face her. "Is that a problem for you?" she asked, her tone challenging. "I didn't realize I needed your permission to exist."

Beyoncé's smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "You don't. But people who don't play by the rules usually don't last long around here."

Onika crossed her arms, glaring at her. "Maybe I'm not trying to last. Maybe I'm trying to change the game."

Beyoncé's expression flickered for a moment, something unreadable passing through her eyes. She leaned a little closer to the window, her voice lowering to almost a whisper. "You think you can change the game? The way you've been acting... it's like you want to be on my radar."

Onika's heart thudded in her chest, but she refused to back down. "I'm not trying to get on anyone's radar. I'm just doing me."

Beyoncé stared at her for a long moment, her eyes searching, as if she was trying to figure out if Onika was telling the truth. Then she leaned back, her expression shifting to something more relaxed, though the tension never fully left.

"I respect that," she said finally. "But just remember... this isn't a fair game. You think you're just doing you, but everyone's watching. And not everyone plays nice."

Onika frowned, unsure if that was a threat or some kind of twisted advice. "I can handle it," she said firmly.

Beyoncé studied her for a moment longer, then gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "We'll see."

She revved the engine slightly, as if signaling the end of their conversation. "Stay safe out here," she said, her voice soft but carrying a weight that lingered in the air. Then, without another word, she pulled away, the car disappearing down the street, leaving Onika standing alone in the quiet evening.

As the sound of the engine faded, Onika felt the weight of the encounter settle over her. Beyoncé had always been a force to be reckoned with, but this was something different. She couldn't shake the feeling that Beyoncé's words were meant to be more than just a passing warning. There was something deeper at play, something she wasn't seeing yet.

Onika sighed and continued walking, her mind racing. She didn't know where this was going, but one thing was clear: whatever was happening between her and Beyoncé, it was far from over.