The Queen's Game

Chapter 5: New Friends

(Soleil’s POV)

Oakland looked like a city made of stories—like every block had its own history, and each street corner was hiding something interesting, maybe even something dangerous. Since we moved here, I’d been trying to figure out its rhythm, find out where I fit in, and maybe uncover a few secrets along the way.

That Saturday, after breakfast, I decided it was the perfect day to get out and explore a little deeper. Mom had her clients lined up in the makeshift salon she’d set up in our garage, so the house was full of laughter and the sharp smell of hair products. Dad had taken Orion and River to check out the fields and courts, scouting for places to practice. He’d probably talk up the coaches he met and have my brothers running drills before the day was out. That was Dad for you.

“Where are you off to, Soleil?” my mom asked, brushing out Dahlia’s curls in the kitchen while Ivy and Azalea fought over a bowl of cereal.

“Just going to explore some parts of the city I haven’t seen yet,” I replied, sliding on my sneakers. “Might meet up with Tiana and Jaz later.”

“Okay, but stay safe, alright? Oakland isn’t like LA.” She shot me a look. “And if anything feels off, trust that feeling.”

I nodded, knowing she wasn’t kidding around. “I will, Mom.”

---

As I stepped out onto the sidewalk, the breeze was cool, and the smell of fresh-cut grass and exhaust mixed together in the air. Oakland was a weird combination of loud and quiet, like a hum just under the surface. I kept my pace steady, feeling the pulse of the city as I moved. Some streets were busy, with kids riding bikes and people selling things on the corners. Others were eerily silent, like everyone had decided that area was off-limits.

A couple of blocks later, I met up with Jaz and Maya near Lake Merritt. Tiana and Kailani would join us later, so for now, it was just the three of us.

“So,” Maya said as we walked, “how are you liking Oakland so far?”

I shrugged. “It’s different. There’s this vibe, you know? Like everyone’s watching but not saying anything.”

Jaz nodded, hands tucked into her pockets. “It’s got layers. You just have to know what’s up with each neighborhood.”

“What’s up with the neighborhoods?” I asked, genuinely curious.

Jaz laughed. “Like, some places you just… feel it. It’s hard to explain. You’ll know what I mean.”

We walked a few more blocks, reaching a street where the houses looked older, the paint chipped and peeling in spots. The sidewalk was cracked, with weeds pushing through. Something about the street felt heavier than the others, like it had secrets. People were hanging out on their porches, but they watched us walk by without a word, eyes tracking every step.

Maya leaned closer, her voice low. “This street’s kinda close to where Kehlani’s people hang. They’re not exactly known for being friendly.”

“Kehlani?” I echoed. I’d heard the name once or twice since I moved here, but no one seemed eager to explain who she was.

Jaz looked at me with a mix of surprise and a grin. “You haven’t heard of her? She’s like… well, let’s just say she’s got a rep around here. Runs with a gang. People don’t mess with her.”

“Oh,” I said, trying to act casual. “She sounds intense.”

“Intense is an understatement,” Maya replied. “Everyone knows not to cross her. Some people say even looking at her wrong could get you in trouble.”

I glanced around, my eyes landing on a group of people leaning against a fence at the end of the block. They looked up as we approached, their expressions unreadable but sharp, like they could see right through us.

“Let’s turn here,” Jaz said, gesturing toward a side street.

I didn’t argue, following her lead. As we moved away from the group, the tension seemed to ease up, but that undercurrent of danger lingered. Oakland was full of it, like invisible lines drawn on the pavement, and you were supposed to know which side to stay on.

---

When I got home later, Dad was in the living room with Orion and River, showing them plays on his tablet. They looked up as I walked in.

“How was your day, Sunshine?” Dad asked, looking up with a smile.

“Good,” I replied, flopping down on the couch. “Saw a lot of new spots. Some are cool, some… not so much.”

Orion raised an eyebrow. “You find any places to avoid?”

“Maybe,” I said with a smirk, catching his eye. “Don’t worry, little bro, I’ll keep you in the loop.”

Mom entered the room, her hands full of hair supplies from her garage salon. “See anything interesting?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

I hesitated, not sure how much to tell her. “Just getting a feel for the city,” I said, playing it safe. “Met some cool people.”

Mom nodded, but I could tell she wasn’t convinced. “Just remember, Soleil, trust your instincts. If it feels wrong, it probably is.”

Orion leaned in, curious. “What does that mean?”

“It means your sister’s learning how Oakland works,” Dad said with a chuckle, ruffling Orion’s hair. “And it’s always smart to listen to the locals.”

I laughed along with them, but my thoughts drifted back to the streets I’d walked earlier and the name Kehlani. This city was filled with stories, but some, I sensed, were better left alone.

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