The Queen's Game

Chapter 20: Curiosity's Gamble

(Soleil's POV)

I've heard about Kehlani from the streets, whispers about her like she's some ghost that haunts this city's underbelly. She's got this presence, this aura that just sits over everything like a dark cloud, and while people are scared to even say her name, I can't help but feel this pull to know more. The more everyone tells me to stay away from her, the more I want to see her for myself. Maybe it's stupid, but there's something about the way people talk about her that gets under my skin, makes me want to know why she has everyone shaking in their shoes.

It's a Friday night, and my friends and I are out, but it's the same story every time. "Nah, Soleil, we're not goin' there," Maya tells me, her voice firm, arms crossed as she gives me this look like I'm crazy for even suggesting it.

"Girl, you need to stop playin' with fire," Kailani chimes in, tossing her curls over her shoulder, her eyes dead serious. "People who mess around Kehlani's spots... they don't end up the same, you know that."

I roll my eyes and laugh it off, but they're right. Kehlani's known for keeping tabs on everyone, for playing the whole damn city like it's a chessboard. Rumor is, she can walk into a room and know everyone's next move. She's got people everywhere, from the bouncers at clubs to the shopkeepers on street corners. I don't know how she does it, but I've heard enough to know not to play with her. But that just makes me want to see her in action even more.

We're at a small burger joint, grabbing food, when the conversation turns again. Jaz is the one who starts, looking at me with that knowing smirk. "You keep wanderin' off like you do, one of these days you're gonna bump right into her."

"Yeah, and she's gonna chew you up and spit you out, no mercy," Devin laughs, but there's this serious edge in his voice.

I shake my head, defiant. "I just want to know why everyone's so damn scared of her. Like, who gave her all this power? I don't get it."

"Maybe it's 'cause you don't need to get it, Soleil," Tiana says, her tone cutting, "Sometimes it's better not to know."

But I'm not listening. That night, when I get home, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering what it is about her that makes everyone act like this. My sisters are in their room down the hall, laughing about something on TikTok, and I hear my brothers wrestling around downstairs like usual. Mom and Dad are already in bed, and the house is quiet enough that my curiosity feels even louder in the silence.

---

The next day, I wait until Mom's got her hands full, twisting braids into some woman's hair in her at-home salon. She probably wouldn't even notice if I left, but just in case, I make sure to catch her in the middle of a story, her hands all up in the woman's hair, her fingers flying.

"Ma, I'm headin' out!"

She looks up, one eyebrow raised, and there's this moment where I swear she can see right through me. "You better not be sneakin' out to no party again, Soleil. I ain't chasin' your butt down tonight."

I throw my hands up, feigning innocence. "No, just gonna hang with friends, promise."

"Uh-huh," she mutters, going back to her client. "Tell Jaz she owes me a favor for last week. And don't be stayin' out too late, you hear?"

"Loud and clear," I say, ducking out before she can ask me any more questions.

---

I find myself wandering, my footsteps pulling me further into the parts of town I know I'm not supposed to be in. I pass by a few spots I recognize from stories-places my friends warned me about-and my heart starts pounding, just enough to make me feel alive. I don't know where I'm going exactly, but I figure if Kehlani's everywhere like they say, maybe I'll catch a glimpse of her.