The Queen's Game

Chapter 12: The Queen's Power

(Soleil's POV)

I leaned against the lockers, watching my reflection in the metal as I tugged on the sleeve of my hoodie, trying to shake off the restless energy that had been hanging over me all week. Oakland was weird, and I wasn’t sure if I was just imagining things or if it was the city itself. Everyone had a story, a warning, a rumor. But the one name that kept coming up, no matter where I went, was Kehlani Parrish.

Tiana had been saying it all week—"Don’t mess with Kehlani." Like the name itself was enough to keep me on edge. I wasn’t even sure who she was, just that she was a big deal, and everyone was scared of her. My friends had made sure to reiterate the same thing every time we hung out. Maya even said Kehlani “ran shit like the goddamn queen of Oakland.”

But that was the thing. No one ever told me what exactly she did, just that she controlled everything. So, I had to know more. I couldn’t just go on hearing these hushed whispers and making assumptions. That wasn’t me.

"Hey, Soleil! You ready?" Tiana’s voice broke through my thoughts, and I snapped my head toward her.

She gave me this look—a mix of concern and maybe, a little fear. "Girl, you need to stay the hell away from Kehlani, seriously."

I pushed off from the lockers, straightening up as she came closer. "What is it with you and this woman? You act like she’s a damn ghost or something."

Tiana rolled her eyes, brushing past me as she grabbed her bag from the floor. "No, I’m serious. I don’t fuck with her. Don’t fuck with her." She lowered her voice, making sure no one else could overhear. "Kehlani's not like everyone else, Soleil. She doesn’t play. People fear her. Hell, even the cops stay out of her way. It’s not just the streets; it’s... it’s her power. It’s in everything here. She runs shit from the top to the bottom."

I scoffed, my arms crossing over my chest. “Okay, but why? What makes her so... special?”

Tiana lowered her voice even more, stepping closer, her face serious. "She's a gangster. And not just some street thug. She owns the streets, the businesses, the people. She’s got connections that go deep. You don’t know what you're dealing with. One wrong look, one wrong word... you're done."

I frowned. “That’s... crazy.”

“Yeah, well, welcome to Oakland,” Tiana muttered under her breath. She shoved past me to leave, but before she could take another step, she turned back with a harsh look. “Just... stay out of her way. I’m tellin’ you, you don’t wanna get caught up in her game.”

Before I could respond, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. I nodded to Tiana and watched her walk off, disappearing into the hallways of the school. Her words sat heavy on my chest as I pulled out my phone to check the time. I was about to head to class when I overheard something.

Two older students—guys, maybe juniors or seniors—were walking down the hallway, laughing about something. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but their conversation pulled me in, something about Kehlani Parrish.

“You think Kehlani’s really running this town, bro?” the taller one asked, chuckling as they passed by me.

The shorter one gave a half-laugh, half-grunt in reply. “Man, what the fuck you mean? She owns this town. Don’t nobody do shit without her word. Ain’t no game in Oakland that doesn’t touch Kehlani.”

The taller one shook his head. “Crazy. I heard she’s got connections all the way outta state, too. Running shit in every major city. Ain’t no fuckin’ joke.”

“Exactly. And it’s not just the streets, bro,” the shorter one added. “She’s got businesses, clubs, real estate. People she’s got on her payroll. Cops, judges, even the mayor. Everyone’s gotta bow down, or they get taken out. You fuck with her? You’re gone. Just like that.”