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I smirked slightly. "Yeah. Aight."

We wonour game in DC by two points; two measly points. Thank God for Brodie making the game winning shot. My gamewas off, I was too focused on some other shit going on outside of basketball; that was my mistake.

I needed to be near the only person who was capable of bringing me peace. So, when we got back to the school the next day after the game and when Brodie told me he was on his way to the city, I hopped a ride, having him drop me off at Serenity’s school.

The second I stepped into Tisch’s dance building, I knew this was a mistake.

I was already in a bad mood, already on edge from the long travel day and the weird energy between me and Serenity. But I was determined to lay eyes on my baby, needed to feel her. And then, I found her through the small window of her favorite dance studio with her dance partner, Monty.

They were close, moving in sync, his hands gripping her waist as he lifted her effortlessly, his eyes locked onto hers. I clenched my jaw, watching, waiting, wondering when the dance was gonna end and then, he leaned in.

My body moved before my mind could catch up. I pushed the door open, the sound echoing in the studio. Serenity and Monty both jumped, turning to me.

“Y’all done?”

"Creed? What the hell are you doing here?" she asked, frowning.

I folded my arms, my voice flat. "Came to surprise you. Thought we could spend some time together before you go to Barbados. Clearly, you busy."

Monty cleared his throat, mumbling a quick "I’m out," before grabbing his bag and dipping. I watched him the whole way out, not missing the way he looked me up and down like I was the one intruding.

"What the fuck is your problem, Creed?" Serenity demanded. I turned back to her, my frustration bubbling over.

"My problem is the way y’all lookin’ at each other. Y’all was mighty fuckin’ close too."

Her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"

"You sure y’all just dance partners?" I asked, voice sharp. "Or is this some revenge plot you got going on?"

Her jaw dropped. "Nigga are you crazy," she scoffed. "Monty is my dance partner, that’s it."

"Bullshit."

"Bullshit?" she repeated, stepping closer, her voice low but heated. "You know what, Creed? I can’t do this with you right now. You’re projecting your bullshit on me and I’m not going for it.”

“Projecting what?”

“The fact that you put us in this fucked-up position, and now you’re looking for something, anything, to make me the bad guy." I stared at her, my body tight with tension.

"That ain’t what this is."

"Isn’t it?" she shot back. "You came in here looking for a problem. You started this argument because you obviously want to end things with me. So, just say that shit and let this be done."

My stomach twisted. "That ain’t what I want, Serenity."

"Well, guess what? It’s what you about to fuckin’ get." She exhaled sharply grabbing her bag. "I need a break. I feel like I’m suffocating, Creed. You got a lot going on, I get that but so do I. I’ll reach out when I’m ready."

“Serenity, are you fuckin’ serious right now?” She shook her head before walking out of the studio and I stood there, confused, frustrated, and completely lost.

What the fuck just happened?

15

SERENITY

The villa in Barbados was something out of a dream. It was a pre-planned family trip my daddy had planned for just the four of us. Since this was my first year away living with them, he wanted to make sure we had some family time; apparently when I came home from Christmas break, it wasn’t enough.

We’d been here for three days without incident which was progress when it meant that Sienna and I would be in the same room.