Lenora Amani Buckles was just sixteen when she fell in love with eighteen-year-old Damani Desean Gaulden. Her parents didn't approve of the relationship, but Lenora's heart was set-she refused to let anyone's opinion stop her from being with him. That love was tested early when Damani's past choices caught up with him, landing him in jail with a five-year sentence. The news shattered Lenora. She fell into a deep sadness but still remained loyal. She visited him regularly, made sure he was fed and clothed, and stood by him more than anyone expected from someone so young. But everything changed when she found out he was cheating on her-from behind bars. Hurt and betrayed, Lenora cut ties immediately, deciding she would never again sacrifice herself for someone who wouldn't value her. With time, she healed. She focused on her education, her future, and rebuilding her sense of self. Four years later, now in college and living in a dorm, she had left that chapter behind-or so she thought. In the middle of cleaning her room, her phone lit up with a jail call. She refused to answer. The next morning, another call came. This time, she picked up. Ten seconds of heavy silence passed before she heard her old nickname: "Nora." She hesitated, then quietly replied, "Hello." Damani told her he was being released a year early. She could only respond with a cautious laugh and a doubtful "okay." After everything, she wasn't sure what the future held... But from that moment on-what came next felt like the beginning of a different story. A fairytale, waiting to unfold.

"I treated them bad I wouldn't be mad if i was to get treated the same way... so treat me the same way."

"𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞. 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬"

"You just don't look....safe." Essence said while sipping her drink. "Naw, I only ain't safe for the niggas that hate me." "But for you, I'll be real cautious..."

A story where time means nothing and love means everything. Start date 12\11\22