Chapter 7

𝙻𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚢𝚗

Her shoulders squared the second we hit the sidewalk, posture tightenin’ like she just stepped into a different version of herself. Her gaze sharpened, movin’ slower now, more deliberate, like everything she did had a purpose behind it.

I rolled my eyes. “You know this a café,” I said, glancin’ at the overpriced menu and soft-ass lightning. “Not a war zone.”

Aries didn’t even look at me. “People get shot in cafés.”

“Well, that’s comforting. Real warm and invitin’, don’t you think?”

She opened the door before I could, her hand hoverin’ at my back. Not touchin’—just close enough to remind me that she could if she wanted to. And I hated how aware of it I was. It was like my body had already learned something my pride was still fightin’ against.

Inside, it was all exposed brick, indie music, and college kids pretendin’ not to stare. Like I wasn’t clearly the best-looking thing in the room. I felt normal in here. Or at least anonymous-adjacent. Just another girl with money, good hair, and no business bein’ bothered.

My homegirls were finally actin’ right, too. Supposedly they got tired of the silence because things got boring, and Donte had been in their ears long enough to convince ’em I wasn’t completely insufferable.

I slid into the booth across from Imani and Britney. Imani’s smile was tight—the “we cool, but don’t get too comfortable”  typa smile. And Britney looked nervous as hell, lookin’ around like she expected a play to go down any second.

Aries didn’t sit, but of course she didn’t. Instead, she stood, back to the wall, eyes up, scannin’ like she was working a shift nobody else applied for.

“Is she good?” Imani muttered, leanin’ in. “Can she like… not??”

“Does she gotta stand like that?” Britney added, shiftin’ in her seat.

“She gotta breathe,” I said flatly. “That’s ’bout it.”

Aries ignored us completely, barely even blinkin’, and honestly at this point, I don’t even think she hears half the things I say. The server approached with a ready smile, all polite and professional, then hesitated the second she clocked Aries standin’ there like security that don’t get paid enough.

People kept doin’ that when they saw her—pausing, second-guessin’, their own eyes, their instincts picking up on somethin’ their brain couldn’t fully explain.

I ordered an iced coffee. Oat milk, extra ice. ‘Cause If I’m ’bout’ to be stressed, I’m at least gon’ be hydrated and aesthetic about it. Aries on the other hand ordered nothin’. That should’ve been my first clue.

Not ordering?

Yeah… nahh.

We were maybe five minutes into pretendin’ this was a normal, peaceful outin’, when I felt it—that prickle at the base of my neck. The kind I learned to pay attention to a long time ago, then spent years ignorin’ because I didn’t feel like livin’ paranoid.

A man stood near the counter. Hoodie up. Phone out. Not ordering. Aries shifted beside me, takin’ a step—just enough that she was suddenly blockin’ my line of sight like she was editin’ my view in real time.

“Don’t,” I whispered, leanin’ forward. “You doin’ too much.”

Her voice stayed low and steady. “Sit back.”

I let out a small laugh under my breath. “Aries, seriously, I ain’t a child—”

She placed her hand on the table. Flat and Firm, the sound cuttin’ through me sharper than if she had yelled. “Londyn,” she said. ” Just listen.”

Somethin’ in her tone made my mouth snap shut before I could even think about arguin’. I leaned back without even realizin’ I was doing it, my heart thuddin’ harder than I liked, which only irritated me more because, the fuck was I nervous for…?

She moved quickly after that, crossin’ the café in three long strides like she’d already made up her mind about somethin’ I wasn’t even aware of yet. She stopped in front of the man, not touchin’ him, not raisin’ her voice, just leanin’ in slightly like whatever she had to say didn’t need to be heard by anyone else.

And whatever the hell she said? 

His face drained instantly. Like somebody unplugged his soul. 

He glanced over at me real quick, startled, like I was somehow part of the problem, then turned and walked out like the floor was burnin’ under his feet.

No one said anything and no one moved. She came back like nothing happened, like she just went to check the weather.

“Is you done?” I asked, forcin’ my tone to stay casual even though my chest still felt tight.

“Mm.”

Imani stared at her, clearly trying to figure her out. “What did you say to him?”

Aries looked at me this time, her eyes unreadable in a way that made me want to ask more questions and mind my business at the same time. “I just told him to leave.”

“Why—” Imani halted.

“That’s it??” I interjected.

“Pretty much.”

I hated how calm she was about it. Hated how my pulse was still racin’ while she looked like she hadn’t even broken a sweat. When we left, I didn’t say a word, and neither did she. The car door shut with a finality that made my chest feel tight in a way I didn’t give a damn to unpack.

It wasn’t until she started drivin’ that I finally broke the silence.

“You embarrassed the fuck outta me.”

She kept her eyes on the road, switchin’ gears smooth as ever like we weren’t havin’ a whole moment. “You alive.” she said.

“He wasn’t even gonna start shit.” I snapped back.

“Youn know that, Londyn.”

I scoffed, crossin’ my arms. “I know the difference between someone watchin’ and someone startin’ shit.”

She finally looked at me then, just a quick glance, but it felt like it pinned me to the leather seat. “Do you? ‘Cause, people don’t announce intent,” she said. “They rehearse it. And that nigga was on his third act.”

Silence swallowed the car.

I looked out the window, my jaw tight, tryna find a comeback, somethin’ to remind her who I was, who my father was… but my hands were still shakin’ under my thighs, and that wasn’t helpin’ my case at all.

“You ain’t ask me,” I said quiet-like.

“I wasn’t goin’ to.”

“For permission,” I snapped.

Her voice softened then—not gentle, not sweet, just real in a way that made it harder to argue. “If I ask, and you say no, and somethin’ happens, I’m the one who gotta live with that.”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. “Okay… and if nothing was gon’ happen???”

She pulled into the campus lot and cut the engine, the quiet settlin’ in heavy. “Then you’re mad,” she said simply. “And still breathin’.”

I hated her for how right that sounded.

When I got out of the car, I realized somethin’ else. Somethin’ that sat heavier than I expected. For the first time since the alley—since the blood and the sirens—I hadn’t been pretendin’ like everything was under control.

I’d been shielded.

And I ain’t know what the hell to do with that.

“The fuck is we here for??” I huffed, already irritated, just standin’ in the lot.

Goin’ to the café was supposed to be my way of skippin’. I wasn’t in the mood for school after yesterday, and honestly, I felt like that was valid.

Eventually, Imani and Britney made their way out of their cars, both of ’em hesitating like they weren’t sure if they were allowed to approach me or if I was still in my “don’t talk to me” bag.

“You got class,” Aries explained, calm as hell—like she wasn’t out here ruinin’ my whole vibe, and I grumbled, my eyes draggin’ over her outfit. Yeah… fuck to the no. She sure as hell ain’t walking into my school lookin’ like that. I refuse.

“I was finna skip. Plus, you not walkin’ into my college lookin’ like that.” I said, foldin’ my arms with a look that should’ve told her I wasn’t budging.

“Nah, you goin’ to school,” she said, shakin’ her head like she had final say, and I rolled my eyes so damn hard it almost hurt. “And who the fuck said I was comin’?”

“You sound crazy as hell,” I muttered, turnin’ around like I was ’bout to just walk off anyway.

Students moved around us—backpacks slung over shoulders, AirPods in, loud-ass conversations ’bout damn-near nothin’, laughin’ like life wasn’t stressful at all. Meanwhile, I’m out here being escorted like I’m a celebrity with too many enemies.

Aries slowly scanned the area before noddin’ to herself. “Aight, get yo’ ass to class and be a good student for me, Londyn,” she teased. I shoved her lightly, which only made her chuckle.

I rolled my eyes and brushed past her, already over it—when, suddenly I heard her clear her throat and the car door slam shut.

“Fuck—on second thought!” she rushed up beside me, duffle bag slung over her shoulder like she just remembered she had sense. “Take me to the restroom.”

I groaned instantly, because of course.

I hated how close she walked, too. Like I might disappear if she ain’t keep me within arm’s reach at all times. “Youn gotta hover,” I blurted, glancin’ at her.

She hummed like she wasn’t even takin’ me seriously. “I do. Youn know how to stay out the way. Just out here startin’ shit and gettin’ yourself in danger for no damn reason,” she shot back.

“Or maybe you just like being ’round me.” I huffed, ’bout to argue—until my eyes caught someone unfamiliar.

And just like that, my mood shifted.

A face I didn’t recognize. But that tattoo? Yeah… I recognized that.

He knows Jalen.

I ain’t even have to say it out loud—I knew Aries clocked that shit too.

“Wear sumn cute,” I suddenly declared, switchin’ the topic like nothing happened, and she chuckled, grippin’ her duffle bag tighter as we walked into the building.

“That ain’t ever been a problem,” she replied, and I guided her toward the restrooms.

Imani and Britney finally walked up, both of them looking between me and the washroom with raised brows like they had a million questions lined up.

“So… since when you start talkin’ to a stud?” Imani teased, and I rolled my eyes immediately.

“That is Whitney’s woman,” I replied quickly. “We just friends.”

Imani hummed, clearly not convinced in the slightest. “Right… rightt, and the sun is green.”

Britney chuckled, already messy, waving Khalil and Chelsea over like she was calling in backup for the interrogation.

“Londyn, I ain’t seen yo ass inna minute,” Khalil said, wrapping his arms around my shoulder, and I hummed, giving Chelsea a small wave.

“As you can see, my ankle has been merked since the party,” I said, pointin’ down at my foot, and he followed my gesture, shaking his head. “I’m out here fightin’ for my life in these slides.”

Then Aries walked out and the entire group turned their heads at the same time like we were in sync or something.

She had changed into a tight white long sleeve thermal that clung to every bit of muscle, light blue baggy jeans hangin’ low on her waist, switchin’ into Timbs like she had somewhere important to be. And on top of that, she had her twists down, coverin’ her head with a durag and a hat tilted to the side like she knew exactly what she was doin’.

She knew how to dress casually and still make it stand out, and I hated that I peeped it.

“Sup, my nigga. You Londyn’s new girl?” Khalil spoke first, dappin’ her up, and my whole body jolted like he just said the most offensive thing possible.

I turned and glared at him while they dapped each other up like they’d been knowin’ each other.

“Nah, we just friends,” Aries said smooth, and Khalil just snickered while Chelsea raised a brow.

None of these people believe me. What the fuck??

“Wait—I’ve seen yo ass ’round here before. You know Whitney and them?” Khalil added, pointin’, and I grumbled under my breath, already walking off.

“Uh—yeah—” was all I heard before Aries caught up to me, nudgin’ into me as she walked.

“Girl—” I tripped forward slightly, and she grabbed my arm to steady me like I wasn’t about to embarrass myself in front of everybody.

“What’s yo’ beef with Whitney anyway?” she asked.

I let out a dry-ass chuckle. “She took my man??”

And without hesitation, she said, “Then he wasn’t yo man to begin with—”

My jaw dropped so fast I swear my neck cracked. I whipped my head up at her. “Nigga, you think you real funny, huh.” I sucked my teeth, and she just chuckled softly, lookin’ like she wasn’t out here disrespectin’ me in broad daylight.

Then her attention shifted again, scanning the halls.

Then suddenly—

Her arm wrapped around my shoulders.

What the fuck.

My whole body froze for a second before she leaned in slightly, her voice low. “Pay attention to your surroundings, then you’ll understand.”

I slowly relaxed, but not without lettin’ out a small huff. She really be doing stuff without warnin’. I drew in a breath, and—without thinking too hard about it—I intertwined our fingers while her arm rested on my shoulders. Her hands were soft. Way softer than I expected, actually.

My face warmed slightly, and I hated that too. Her hands were big, but they fit mine perfectly, like it was a calculated play

…Wait. This don’t look like some friends shit—

We walked into my class like that—hand in hand—and my group was definitely exchangin’ looks I’d have to deal with later. But did I feel like explainin’ that this was actually my bodyguard in a thermal?

Fuck no. We stickin’ with the “we just friends” play.

“Sit in the back,” she murmured, her eyes already sweepin’ the exits.

I shook my head, my eyes landin’ on the professor. I cursed under my breath when I saw his expression shift. This man better not start trippin’.

“Middle. That’s where we be sittin’,” I replied. She sighed but followed me anyway. Students were already seated, and every single one of ’em clocked Aries—especially since her hand was literally locked in mine.

The rest of the group sat down, Aries on one side of me, Khalil on the other.

Khalil leaned in, whisperin’ loud as hell. “Y’all holdin’ hands now? That’s some gay shit.” I shoved his face away without even lookin’ at him.

I rolled my eyes, focusing forward—until Aries leaned in. Our eyes locked for a split second and when I turned my head too fast, our faces were way too close. Like… inches.

“He followed us to your class, by the way,” she murmured.

I was ’bout to turn and look—because duh—but she leaned in closer, completely blockin’ my whole line of sight.

“The hell is you doing???” I pulled back, my hand hittin’ her jaw to push her back. my heart skipped a beat. Out of fear. Yes. Fear.

“Yo’ dumbass was ’bout to look,” she huffed, movin’ my hand off her face, while a couple girls behind us started whisperin’ some nonsense.

I let out a quiet huff as Mr. Wilson started the lecture, and honestly? didn’t expect what came next. He picked on Aries the most. Like… the most. But she wasn’t fazed. In fact, she answered every single question correctly, her voice calm and clipped. It shocked everybody—especially me, ’cause I really thought all she knew how to do was fight and look intimidatin’.

Clearly, my ass was wrong.

She let out a small huff, glancing at me, her brow archin’. “Is you and this man fuckin’ or somethin’?” she whispered.

I glared, pushin’ her face away again. “Do you take me for a hoe?”

She paused like she was actually considerin’ it, and Khalil let out a loud snort beside me. I shoved Khalil’s shoulder. “Mmtch—Khalil, shut the fuck up,” I muttered, wavin’ him off before he could get a second laugh in.

Aries chuckled. “Nah, I don’t think you a hoe. But I won’t lie… that man is definitely jackin’ you.”

I leaned back in my seat, lettin’ out a long sigh. It was one kiss. One.

“Can class hurry up and end??” I muttered, sinkin’ into my seat.

“Lowkey, we should all have some fun at my place,” Khalil said, and Chelsea jumped in before he could even finish the thought.

“Absolutely not, you ain’t clean shit up from the other day!” she whisper-shouted, and Britney added on like she was waitin’ her turn.

“Londyn, let’s do yours. You said your dad ain’t finna be ’round for a couple days—”

Aries whipped her head toward me so fast I had to close my eyes. Great. Just exposed my ass. It was true, though. But that meant instead of being under my dad’s thumb…I’d be under Aries’. And her other stuff was already at my spot from this mornin’.

“We can smoke and hang by the pool, how’s that…?” I sighed, and they all agreed instantly. Except Aries, of course.

“You can bring Whitney,” I added, rollin’ my eyes, and she hummed like she was actually considerin’ it. “Just tell her bring a bathin’ suit, please,” I grumbled. Imani looked at me like I’d finally lost my damn mind. I know. Even I was shocked I was lettin’ that girl ’round me for more than two seconds. But it seems like she’s the only person Aries really knows besides me.

So… why not…

Once the lecture finally wrapped up. Which—thank God, because Mr. Wilson was startin’ to blow me with how hard he was riding Aries for answers. Like, move on, nigga.

We all split off like we had some sense. Imani, Britney, Aries, and I drove back to my place, while Khalil and Chelsea said they’d slide through later. The second we pulled up, Aries was already movin’ like she had somewhere else to be, grabbing her keys and turning to me like she was about to drop orders.

“I’m finna pick up Whitney. I’ll be back quickly. Don’t go anywhere.”

Yup. figured.

I looked up at her with the most irritated expression I could muster, already feeling my attitude creepin’ back in heavy. “Don’t go nowhere,” I repeated, mocking her tone perfectly, adding a little head tilt for effect. “Right. Got it. Locked in.”

She rolled her eyes, but she didn’t move right away. She just stood there, lookin’ at me a second too long. Like she had somethin’ on the tip of her tongue but couldn’t find the words.

“What?” I asked, brows knittin’ together.

She let out a low groan, like she was havin’ a whole argument with herself internally. “Nothin’. Just do what I told you.”

I couldn’t even help myself at that point. Something told me to do it. “Yes, daddy.”

Her face immediately balled up in straight disgust, like I had just offended her entire bloodline. I lost it, a loud-ass cackle leavin’ my mouth as I shoved her toward the door.

“Go! Damn, nigga!” I laughed, pushin’ her out. Then, once the door started to swing shut—so low it barely left my lips—I added, “Be safe…”

She ain’t hear that part though. And that’s exactly how I wanted it.

I shut the door completely and headed back upstairs where Imani and Britney were already posted up like two aunties waiting to gossip.

“I mean… she cute as hell.”

“It look like she got a lil crush on Londyn.”

“What the hell is y’all yapping ’bout?” I walked in mid-sentence, and both of ’em damn near jumped like I caught ’em stealin’.

“…Uh, Aries…” Imani muttered like that explained everything.

I kicked off my slides, rollin’ my eyes so hard I almost saw my own thoughts. “First of all, my ass is straight. Second of all, that is Whitney’s woman.“

Britney snorted, lookin’ at me like I was trippin’ for free. “So what was all that hand holdin’ in them halls then? Since y’all ‘just friends?”

I opened my mouth to talk my shit… and then closed it. Damn. ’cause honestly? I deadass couldn’t even explain that. I don’t even know how that happened, or why I didn’t pull away—or worse why I was the one who initiated it. My brain just… skipped that whole part like it wasn’t important.

“Friends do that shit all the time, the fuck?” I finally said, wavin’ them off like I wasn’t lowkey confused myself.

“Bitch, we ain’t ever done no shit like that,” Britney shot back, laughin’ in my face. I sucked my teeth, already over the conversation.

“Plus,” Imani added, leanin’ forward with a smirk, “that girl be lookin’ at you like she wanna eat you up.”

My face scrunched up in pure confusion. “Girl, I think she wanna see me in the ring, ’cause the feelin’ lowkey mutual.”

That had Britney damn near crying.

I shook my head and hit the closet, grabbin’ my black and nude bikini. I wasn’t ’bout to be caught lookin’ busted in my own crib. I changed quick in the bathroom, throwin’ my hair into a messy bun before headin’ back out.

The girls changed too, and we all made our way to the backyard, the pool glistenin’ like it knew I paid too much money for it to just sit there. I dropped onto a lounge chair just as Khalil and Chelsea pulled up through the back gate, Britney letting them in.

“Gas, please!” I extended my hand like I was collectin’ taxes.

Khalil laughed, tossin’ the bag. “Greedy-ass.”

I caught it clean, already gettin’ comfortable as I sparked up. About an hour passed, the sun hittin’ just right, my body relaxed and my mood finally leveling out. Then the SRT pulled back in.

Why Aries and Whitney walkin’ in laughin’ like they just came from a comedy show? I don’t know. Or maybe I was just high, but the vibe felt… off.

I watched Aries approach me, no hesitation, no warnin’—she ‘just reached down and snatched the blunt straight out my fingers.

“You look like you had enough.”

She put it out like she was the one who paid for it. I groaned, draggin’ my hand down my face. “That ain’t even nothin’!”

Her eyes trailed over me then. Slow. Too slow. From my face, down to my body, takin’ in the bikini like she ain’t got sense. She cleared her throat right after, steppin’ back like she had to hard-reset her whole system. Then dapped Khalil up like nothin’ happened.

“Y’all down for some games in a minute?” he asked.

“Absolutely not,” I coughed, the hit still sittin’ heavy in my chest.

Whitney walked over, already peelin’ her clothes off like she paid the mortgage here.

“Why you look dry?” Aries asked me, droppin’ her cap and liftin’ her shirt.

I glanced over, and my eyes… stayed there a little longer than necessary. Underneath was a wife-beater, her arms flexin’ slightly as she moved, tattoos on full display. Then she pulled that off too, leavin’ her in a sports bra, her abs out like she had something to prove.

My brows shot up. Oh.

“Oh.”

I cleared my throat fast as hell, lookin’ away like I wasn’t just inspectin’ her like a damn checklist. But my eyes betrayed me anyway, flickerin’ right back when she started unzippin’ her jeans, revealing swim trunks underneath.

Yeah… I was stuck.

“I ain’t move,” I said out loud, lookin’ like a damn fool.

She hummed. “Well, my ass getting in that jacuzzi.”

Now that? I could get behind. I slid up immediately, followin’ right behind her. “As you should.”

The pool was cute and all, but the jacuzzi? That’s where it’s at. The group went silent when we climbed in. I instantly got comfortable, sittin’ across from her, the heat hittin’ my skin just right, making me sink into it with a satisfied hum.

Aries raised a brow at me. “The fuck is you followin’ me for?”

I rolled my eyes, holdin’ my hand up. “You not special, girl. Relax.”

She chuckled, leanin’ back. Her eyes swept over me before settlin’. “Cute belly piercing’.”

I couldn’t help the small smile. “Cute, isn’t it?”

She shrugged.

I blinked at her, offended for real. “Bitch, you just said it was?”

That made her laugh—like, actually laugh. The sound was low, easy, and it caught me off guard for a second.

“You always this mean when you high?” she asked, leanin’ forward slightly.

I leaned my head back against the stone edge. “Nope. Only for you.”

“Nothin’ happened while I was gone, right?” she added, voice dropping an octave. That bodyguard role slipping up.

I glanced at her. “Girl, you worry too much.”

“You cause too much trouble,” she shot back.

“And do,” I hummed.

Before I could even get too comfortable, Whitney slid in, then the rest of ’em followed like we was having a pool party I actually approved of. The jacuzzi got crowded real quick, bodies pressin’ in from all sides.

Somehow… I ended up right next to Aries. Like, right next to her.

Her arm brushed mine. Her leg pressed against mine under the water. The heat from the jets mixed with the heat comin’ off her body, and suddenly I was aware of every single inch of skin.

“You aight?” she leaned in, her voice a low vibration near my ear.

My eyes flickered to her lips before I could catch myself. Them shits look soft as hell. I licked mine without even thinkin’ about it, then nodded, slow. “Mhm!”

Out the corner of my eye, I caught Khalil smirkin’ like he knew something I didn’t, then clearing his throat like he was ’bout to start some mess.

“We should play truth or dare or some shit.”

Yeah. I already knew this was ’bout to go left.