Black Rose (Book 1)

Chapter 14: Everyone Matters

Bernice

It was now Wednesday afternoon and Trey was over my place since I didn't go to work today. We were just watching movies. I let him pick and that was a bad idea because it was boring me. He was laying on my legs when he looked up at me. "How come every time I ask to go out now you wanna stay in?"

I shrugged, "I don't know I just like being in the comfort of a home."

"Tell the truth.. What? Is it that you don't wanna be in the blogs? You don't like the attention because it's negative? Or you just don't want to be seen with me period?"

"Trey.."

"Answer."

"Ok, fine. Trey, I don't want anything serious therefore I don't want to be tied to your name forever. If I'm seen out with you, that's what's going to happen. I already catch enough flack and judgement for once stripping. Next they'll be calling me a groupie, industry hoe, gold digger, etc. I've been really low key the past year and I'd like to keep it that way" I said honestly.

He moved from laying on my legs sitting up. "I've never felt so used for my body and what's in between my legs in my life!" he said jokingly. We both laughed.

"Oh please! You wanted to just fuck me from the jump."

"Maybe, but now I've gotten to know you and I really enjoy your company. Your beautiful, smart, and funny. I like you. Are you saying you don't like me even a little bit?"

"I've had fun with you. You're cool" I said shrugging.

"You can be so emotionless sometimes, Bernice. I'ma let your mean ass be for now." He kissed my leg then my knee. "I'll change your mind eventually." I don't think so.

Dave

I was at the studio with Fabolous to record a feature. He asked me to be a feature on a song on his newest mixtape. The song would be called 'Summertime Sadness'. From now on until I died summer would remind me of Malik. I was writing my verse vibing when I heard a familiar voice. I groaned and sure enough when I looked up I saw Trey. What is he doing here? I didn't even acknowledge his presence and went back to writing. They started playing a song he was featured on, I guess that's why he's here. "Wassup, bruh!" I looked up.

"We ain't cool right now, so I don't know why you're over here in my face."

"Is this about what I said about Bernice? About that, I didn't mean that. You know we were drinking beers, taking shots, and smoking weed. I do really like her. I don't know what I was talking about that night."

"Do you really expect me to believe that bullshit?! Miss me with it. You're lucky I didn't tell her everything."

"Everything?"

"I just warned her about you. But you don't have to worry about me being around her because I'm going on a
tour soon." I stood up because they were ready for me to go in the booth. "I really should whoop your ass to keep you away from Bernice, but I'ma let her find out for herself."

This isn't high school anymore and I'm not interfering in her relationships. Bernice and I are both hard headed, so we just have to learn things on our own. Do you know how many times I fought niggas on her behalf only for her to take them back? Too many. We're too grown for that now. To think I was the one who told her to give him a chance. I knew how Trey was, but he was my boy and I was hoping he'd do right considering she's my friend. I hope I'm wrong about him.

Robb

I was at the studio for the first time after getting out of jail. It felt good considering all I went through before I went in. When I first started making music in high school my sound was totally different. As you get older you try to change, but you get afraid nobody will like it. I was supposed to put my project Year of the Savage aka Y.O.T.$. out 2 years ago before I went in. I'm a perfectionist and a lot of times I either never put a song out altogether or hated it after I did. I was listening to a beat when Bernice walked in. I invited her, but I didn't think she would really come. I smiled and then we hugged.

"You actually came." I'm glad we're friends again at the least. Who would think a girl who got treated as terrible as she did by somebody would be so forgiving? I sure as hell didn't. "Pouya, you remember Bernice?"

He turned from the boards saying, "yeah" giving her a simple head nod. Pouya came from Florida to NY to do music with me. He was my best friend and the coolest white boy I ever knew. He looked like he'd shoot a school up, but rapped like a straight nigga. You'd never think he was white just listening to him. Bernice and I both sat down.

"So what are you working on?"

"A mixtape I'm doing called Tha City."

"What ever happened to Year of the Savage?"

"Still haven't put it out yet. Long time overdue, I know. But I decided to put a mixtape out first to see where my supporters are at. If it gets a good response I'll put Y.O.T.$. out next."

She nodded her head as if understanding. "That's sensible."

"I have a question..Did you actually like my music or just supported me because we were together?"

"I liked it! What are you talking about? You're talented, Robbie. You're music is different. Your ideas are way different then everybody else's. From packaging as a whole, the lyrics, beats, and videos. Nobodies doing that and I told you you have to be more confident. Don't go doing what everybody else is doing."

Bernice

I had just left from the studio with Robb. I only stayed an hour just to say I came. I left the train station and was walking to my condos. When I got in front of my condos I saw Dave's car. I rolled my eyes as he got out of the car. "Where have you been? I called and texted you?"

"Work" I lied.

"You don't look like you came from work." He said looking me up and down. I had on a leather motorcycle jacket, black jeans, and Giuseppe sneakers.

"Ok, you caught me in a lie" I said throwing my hands up. "Why'd you come over here?"

"I never got the chance to tell you I signed the publishing deal with Def Jam."

"Are you serious?!" I jumped in his arms hugging him. I could never stay mad at him for too long. "I'm proud of you, Davey!"

"Thanks, B. They want to put Hate Me Now on iTunes for purchase, publish an EP & album, and do a tour. Also, they want to shoot some videos. We're shooting 2 videos this weekend in Harlem and I want you to be in them. The whole hood is gonna be in it."

"Of course! I'll be there."

"Thanks. That's the only reason I came over here. I gotta get to the studio. I've been doing features out the ass!" We both laughed. "Oh and sorry for what I said the other night. I didn't mean it like that."

"You never do" I mumbled. "It's okay, I'm over it. Goodnight, Dave." We hugged again then he got in his car then left. I sighed. Sometimes I should quit saying it's ok, but what's the point of arguing like a couple if you're not one. We're just friends and that's all it'll ever be. A complicated friendship, but a friendship.

Filler chapter. All these men in Bernice's life, hmm. Should she date Trey seriously? Should she be trying to be Robb's friend after what she did?