December 1st
The Maraj family home
ONIKA
Things with Beyoncé had been better than I could've imagined. The past month felt like we were in our own world, and to top it off, she even made it official. Official official. She asked me to be her girlfriend. I'd been replaying that moment in my head every chance I got, smiling like some lovesick fool.
I was in my room, trying to finish up my history homework, but my mind kept drifting back to her. Just knowing she was coming over made it impossible to focus. My pencil barely touched the page before I heard the doorbell ring. My heart jumped, and I scrambled out of my chair, nearly tripping over myself to get downstairs. But as I hit the last step, I saw Landon already there, opening the door and greeting her like he had any right. Of course.
"Yo, Bey!" he grinned, stepping back so she could come in. "Let's go set it up in my room—I've been waiting all day to try the new Call of Duty with you."
Beyoncé looked over and smiled when she saw me. "Hey, Nic."
I bit back my irritation, letting out a small sigh and giving her a soft, pleading look. "Oh, hey, baby," I murmured, my voice dropping to a low, helpless tone. I glanced down, making sure she noticed the way my shoulders slumped just a bit. "I mean, if you really wanna hang with him, go ahead, I guess..."
I could feel Landon staring at me like, Really? But I didn't even look his way, staying focused on Beyoncé. She frowned, her gaze locked on me with that concern I knew would hook her.
I brought out the fake tears and threw in a little sniffle for effect, then lifted my eyes to hers, wide and sad. "It's just... been a long day, I've got so much homework, and I'm really stressed, and I ju—"
Beyoncé's whole face softened as she stepped closer, brushing her thumb over my cheek. "Hey, don't cry, mamas. You need me? I'm here, okay."
I nodded, fighting the smile trying to break through. "Yeah... I just... need cuddles right now."
Landon huffed, rolling his eyes. "She's fine, Bey, trust me. She's just putting on a show."
I shot him a quick glare before looking back at Beyoncé, giving her my best lost puppy look. She ignored Landon completely, leaning in closer and placing a couple of gentle kisses on my lips.
"It's cool, Landon. I'll play with you later," she said, her voice firm but gentle. She looked back at me. "I got you, baby."
Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around me, lifting me up effortlessly. I melted into her, feeling the victory settle in as she headed toward the stairs. I let my head rest on her shoulder, throwing Landon a smug little smirk that she couldn't see. He stood there, rolling his eyes, watching us with a look that was almost comical.
"Whatever, y'all are too much," he muttered, shaking his head. Beyoncé didn't even look back, carrying me up to my room like it was the only thing she had planned for the day.
I couldn't stop smiling as we made it upstairs, feeling like I'd won some tiny war. With her arms around me, everything else just faded, and I couldn't wait to have her all to myself.
🩷🖤🩷
We were cuddled up in my bed, surrounded by soft blankets and pillows, the dim glow of the TV casting a warm light across the room as some show, Beyoncé was trying to put me on, played in the background. It was one of those quiet, perfect moments, where everything felt in place. Beyoncé's arm was wrapped around me, holding me close like she had no plans of letting go, her fingers drawing gentle circles along my arm, each pass sending a calming warmth through me.
