Page 10 of Blake University: HBCU Chronicles – Yon & Imole

took a slow breath, letting the music pulse around her like armor. She could feel the heat of stares, though most of them were probably in her head. Still, it took effort not to glance in Shawna’s direction again.

She didn’t have to.

Stormii and Lala were already making their way over from across the dance floor, both of them looking like they’d seen enough to start swinging.

“What the hell just happened?”

Stormii asked, planting herself next to like a bodyguard.

Lala narrowed her eyes in Shawna’s direction.

“She lucky I’m wearing open-toes. I don’t fight cute.”

“I’m good,”

said quickly, trying to wave it off.

“She just... introduced herself.”

Stormii folded her arms.

“Sounded like she introduced herself with shade and a dash of crazy.”

Before could reply, Yon reappeared at her side. His expression was calm, but there was a tightness around his mouth that hadn’t been there before.

“You ready to bounce?”

he asked her gently, like he was giving her an out. A soft reset.

looked at Lala and Stormii, who both nodded without question.

“Yeah,”

she said.

“We’re good to go.”

Yon turned toward his line brothers and gave a quick head nod. “We out.”

Ace and Porkchop peeled off from their conversations, falling into step behind Yon without needing any explanation. They knew the drill. Instead of calling an Uber or waiting by the curb, the group started walking back toward campus, toward the quad, toward a cooler night that carried fewer complications.

The streets were quieter now. Just enough traffic and leftover music in the air to remind them it was still Homecoming weekend. Laughter echoed from side streets. Somewhere, a party was still going strong. But for them, this part of the night was winding down.

They fell into natural pairs, Ace and Lala a few paces ahead, already trading stories and low giggles. Porkchop and Stormii walked behind them, arguing about who had better taste in sneakers. Yon and were somewhere in the middle. Walking side by side, a little slower than the rest. She felt him brush his fingers against hers once. Then again, until he took her hand completely. His palm was warm, steady. Neither of them said anything for a moment. They didn’t need to and let the moment happen organically.

Finally, he looked over at her.

“I meant what I said earlier. I’m not messing with Shawna like that. She doesn’t know how to let go.”

glanced down at their joined hands, then back up at him.

“You don’t owe me an explanation.”

“Maybe not,”

he said.

“But I want to give it to you anyway.”

There was something about the way he said it carefully, deliberately and that made her chest tighten. She wasn’t used to this kind of attention. Not just the flirty, performative kind. This was something different.

He squeezed her hand lightly.

“You handled that better than I would’ve.”

“I’ve dealt with worse,”

she said with a small shrug, letting her smile return.

They walked in silence again, the lights of campus finally coming into view. The wide quad was half-lit, the pathways glowing from the antique-style streetlamps Blake U was known for.

Yon slowed his steps.

“You know, I saw you watching me at the step show.”

gave him a side-eye.

“You saw that?”

“Yep. Especially when I did that signature move.”

“You mean when you licked your lips like it was a TikTok thirst trap?”

He laughed, low and rich.

“Exactly like that.”

laughed, too, shaking her head.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“But did it work?”

he asked, brows lifted.

She didn’t answer right away. Just looked ahead, toward the dorm buildings. Her fingers tightened in his just a little.

“You’ll find out,”

she said, voice soft but certain.

And just like that, the night felt whole again.