Girls Love Beyoncé

61

BEYONCÉ G KNOWLES

I decided to listen to Mama Carol because I believed it was for the best. The words she spoke honestly sent a chill down my spine. I didn't want to argue this early in the morning, so I knocked on Zahir's door and saw him cheesing already.

"Oh, so you're back?" he smirked.

I could only roll my eyes. "Only for today."

"That's all I need to make you fall in love with me, Rapunzel."

I waved him off as he let me in. I hopped back onto the couch, letting out a sigh.

"I got some spare toothbrushes and shit. You can wear some of my clothes too. I've got a few plays to make, and I'd be happy if you came with me."

"Oh? What—you wanna be Bonnie and Clyde?"

"Just for today. Come on."

We went into the bathroom, brushing our teeth together. He dressed me in his clothes, and we argued about which hoodie I could and couldn't wear. Then we left the apartment. I had anxiety that Onika might see me, but as time went on, I grew less anxious. He got me some food, and I just chilled in the car while he drove around playing music. We didn't have to talk much—we were just comfortable.

We were doing simple things together, and that's all I ever wanted and needed from Onika. Be there when I wake up, be there when I go to sleep. Make time for me. Show me you care. I felt like she didn't anymore. What I said to Waka earlier wasn't a lie—I really felt like she didn't love me anymore.

"Give me a few minutes," Zahir said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I nodded, popping a hash brown into my mouth. We were parked outside some trap house. I didn't say anything, just watched as he got out of the car. The moment he did, I locked the doors and kept an eye on my surroundings.

There wasn't much to see, but one thing caught my attention. A girl was coming out of the house as he was going in. She was skinny but really pretty, with long hair, wearing a hoodie that looked familiar. I'd seen that hoodie so many times—I think Onika had one just like it.

I knew I was truly upset at her because everything reminded me of her. I sighed, rolled my eyes, and went back to my phone. Eventually, Zahir came back and we drove off, headed somewhere else.

We did this for most of the day, until the sun began to set. I needed to get home and feed OJ. I prayed he hadn't made a mess while I was gone. I also prayed Onika wasn't there.

My bags were already packed—I just needed to grab them. I really was planning on leaving. Nothing she could say would convince me otherwise.

The moment we got back to the apartments, I was going to head straight to mine. But as we walked, I started to feel crazy. People I hadn't seen before were walking from the direction of my place. I could already hear music and thought, Whoever's throwing a party has to be insane.

It was late, and white people lived here—they'd easily get kicked out, which made it even dumber. Zahir and I watched as drunk people stumbled out laughing their asses off. He stayed close behind me, and I appreciated that. He felt like a protector—and I needed one.

As we got closer, it became more obvious where the sound was coming from.

My apartment.

My eyes widened as I started to jog. It was clear as fucking day that these people were coming out of my place. I couldn't even think straight anymore—anger just coursed through my body. The moment I opened the door, I saw India, Jayda, Lauren, Waka, Jordyn, Kyle, Jenn, Tata, Ice—all these people in there without telling me a thing. People I didn't even know were inside.