𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍

Chapter 17

Beyoncé's POV

Spring, the season where the weather was just right—not too hot, not too cold. It was a beautiful day, even though a cloud had been following me around for a month.

I decided I would let Onika have her space, but her space felt like a huge gap. I didn't even think she wanted to be with me anymore. It hurts more than anything because I didn't even mean to cause any of this.

I stood in front of my mirror, checking out the outfit that I had put together for tonight. "Cute," I thought to myself, but it would've been even more gorgeous if Onika was next to me.

Today, I'm chaperoning the dance that the ninth-grade village league put together for our students. Everyone was pitching in somehow, and in my case, they wanted me to sing, so being the nice person I am, I decided to give in. I let them pick from three different songs that I wrote.

They chose "Dangerously In Love," a song I recently wrote for Onika.

"Mom, are you almost ready? I don't wanna be late!" Yara rushed in.

"Yes, let me grab my bag," I said, picking up my purse from the nightstand.

Giselle was super excited to show off her cute little dress, which was definitely age-appropriate.

We hopped in the car, heading to school.

Giselle FaceTimed Yara to show her outfit, and they decided to match the colors of their dresses. "Bestie, we look too good!" Giselle said, grinning. "For real! Look at my mama!"

Giselle turned the phone to me. "Mom, look at your girl!" The girls didn't know what went down between me and Onika, and I respected that we kept it between us.

I looked at the screen, seeing Onika's beautiful face. I missed her so much. Yara, I guess, didn't let Onika know she was on camera. "She looks so pretty," I cooed at the phone, admiring her gorgeousness.

"Yara, we gotta get ready to go, my love," Onika said, applying her lip gloss.

I quickly turned the phone back to Giselle before Onika turned her focus back to Yara.

I wondered if Onika missed me as much as I missed her, or if she even cared that we hadn't talked in a while. I thought about how she'd feel hearing me sing a song pouring my heart out to her.

"Alright, we're here, kiddo," I said as we got out of the car and headed into the school.

The auditorium looked incredible—there was a smoke machine, a bubble machine, a cotton candy stand, a dance floor, and a photo booth. They really nailed the decorating. It seemed like Giselle and I were two of the first people to arrive.

I made sure to do my rounds and say hey to the teachers who were already setting up different attractions.

Eventually, Giselle and I found a table to sit at while we waited for everyone to show up. Little by little, more kids flooded in. The music blared throughout the building—definitely not my taste, but the kids loved it.

As it got more crowded, kids started dancing on the floor, singing together. Giselle hung back in the corner, waiting for Yara.

I was surprised they weren't there much earlier, but I figured maybe something came up.

Then, just as I was thinking that, Onika and Yara walked in.

Yara looked like a little Disney princess, and Onika did an amazing job getting her ready. "Bestie!" Yara ran over to Giselle. "Look what I got you, sis!" She handed Giselle a bouquet of flowers. "It's for when y'all take your pictures," Onika said.