Black is the Color of Beauty

Chapter 11

NiNi's POV

Club Agapi Mou

Astoria, New York City,USA

February 14, 2019 ( 11:37 p.m.)

         Shit, this is why I hate going out with Day and Ty. Day is a "wanderer" whenever she drinks liquor. Yeah, you know what I mean.... she's that friend. That friend you have to watch when drinking because one minute she's there and next gone. I know Day doesn't mean any harm she's just overall a sweet, friendly and naive person in ways. It sometimes take her a while to pick up if someone haves an ill intent towards her or not. Ty, on the other hand drinks based off her feelings and attracts a lot of attention because of her appearance. So, tonight Ty is a bit upset and depressed about the situation so she been throwing shots back. Put together Ty's risky drinking habits, loud nature, sultry dress and catlike eyes.... the men are eating her up or rather she have them eating out of the palm of her hand. Which is crazy... because Ty actually hates ATTENTION, she attracts it naturally because of her energy and whatnot. I'm certain she's somewhere surrounded by a group of men. Damn, my friends are bad af. I smirk a bit to myself. I just wished I could keep up with them.

       DING, my phone notifies me that I have a new text message. I open up the message thread. "Hey, I hope you are enjoying yourself. I bet you're looking amazing tonight. - Admirer". My lips curl up briefly, almost into a smile. Get yourself together Ni'era, you are doing this because you have to. Remember, Ke'on said the whole family depends on this situation. And just like that, the bubble inside of my chest is popped by a needle of reality. For the past couple of weeks, I have been texting my mysterious arranged 'husband' or whatever. He has yet to send me a picture of himself. He has sent tons of gifts such as flowers, chocolates and my favorite purse. Also, I went to the lease office last week to pay my rent and they stated that has been paid through June. I asked the manager how is that the case, she explained to me that its been paid by the same gentleman that has been paying my rent since November. Her statement shocked me, but I decided to not question her about it. I've concluded that it must've been the 'Admirer'. But, now isn't the time to think about this. I quickly reply " Thanks, I will make sure to send you a picture of my outfit later on." I keep my phone out, ready to send out a text message. Now its time to find my besties.

     Before I move, my stomach starts to churn. I am immediately on high alert. Shit, what the fuck is about to happen. My eyes begin to frantically search around on the dancefloor for Day and Ty. We need to get the fuck out of here, like now. I am so caught up feeling in my stomach pains, that it takes me a second notice that the hairs on the back on my neck is standing up. " There you are Xiǎo māo" a deep voice whispers into my right ear. Shit, I tighten my thighs together to stop myself from pissing on myself. Shit, did he just call me kitten? Shit, I need to text the girls right now and warn them. But, before I can get the chance to, he snatches the from out of my hand. " Admirer huh? Well I will deal with this shit later on," he chuckles darkly. Don't look at him, don't look at him, don't look at him. Bo doesn't wait for me to respond to his revelation of him finding out that I was texting another man before scooping me up into his arms. 

    My skin is greeted my the ice cold New York City air. Not even a minute passes, before my teeth begin to chatter. Even though I am still refusing to make eye contact, I can feel Bo's piercing gaze on me. I feel a thudding in my ribcage..... is this my heart? But, why is it acting this way now? My shoulder suddenly sags a bit after feeling a new unfamiliar weight being added on them. "Here," Bo adjust his leather jacket around my shoulders. Forgetting my "don't look at him" mantra, I find lock into an intense staredown. Milky brown eyes looking into warm liquid onyx eyes. And,  onyx eyes staring down into hurt milky brown eyes. " Bo, I am sorry." His thick, dark eyebrows raise in surprise. I stand there for a second looking up at his beautifully carved face waiting for him to ask why I am apologizing. But, he doesn't ask and I am grateful for the silence.

   " Shit, its 11:55 p.m. Lei, told us to meet back by the car at 11:50 p.m." Bo panicks. As if on cue his phone starts ringing. "Yes, Ty." Ty?!?! When did she get Bo's number. I can't make out what Ty is saying on the other end, but I hear screaming. Bo's body becomes still and his eyes goes glassy. Suddenly, black dots appear in my eyesight and I sway back a bit as waves of pain ripples through my body. NiNi, calm down and take deep breaths. It feels as though forever passes by as I collect myself, in reality it may has been 60 seconds or so. " Bo, are you okay?" Kevin appears out of thin air beside us. Where the fuck is Day? Before any panic can set in, a curly bush pop out from behind Kevin's tall stature. " Ty called, screaming and Bo hasn't moved in the past minute." I comment. " Bo....." Kevin starts. " The alley, they are in the alley," is all Bo manage to croak out. We all run towards the alley. The waves of pain becomes more intense the closer we get to the alley. But, even these premonitions of stomach pains couldn't prepare me for the scene we are about to face in the alleyway.

   Ty is kneeling next to Lei with both hands pressing down on his side. I take a step forward and stop. I see Ty reaches up with a bloody hand and begin to stroke Lei's hair. It's not until then that I notice that his eyes are closed. " I'm sorry for being an idiot. I promise if you make it through this I'll listen to you for now on," she pleads with the motionless Lei. " NiNi, we need to get Lei help or he will die. You have to move Ty," Kevin touches my shoulder while telling me what I need to do. I walk up and kneel beside Ty. " Ty, baby, you have to get up. Bo and Kevin needs to carry Lei's body." I say to her gently. She say nothing. Shit, this is do or die. I repeat my statement one more time. But, this time I don't even wait for a response before I start remove Ty's hands from off of Lei's body and pulling her away. Day walks over to Ty and begins to question her about the over body in the alley. I don't even spare a moment to join the conversation, because honestly I don't care. As Bo walks pass me carrying Lei, I put a hand on his shoulder. He shrugs it off. I ain't even going to like that shit stings like fuck. Now, I wish he would've asked me what was I apologizing for... I was apologizing for kissing him. I was apologizing for ignoring his messages and calls. I was apologizing for giving another man my time. I was apologizing for the pain I will cause him by being with another man. I was apologizing for sneaking out. And now, I am mentally apologizing for being childish and partying without realizing the potential consequences. Potentially consequences of watching his best friend fighting for his life, watching my best friend on a brink of hysteria and watching Bo witnessing all of it crumble before his eyes.