Page 13 of Blake University: HBCU Chronicles – Yon & Imole

The morning after Club VIBZ came with a soft breeze, the smell of syrup in the air, and the undeniable buzz of Homecoming Saturday.

stretched with a yawn and slid into her Blake U jogger set, a soft rose pink that complimented her skin perfectly. She topped it off with her “just-woke-up-but-still-cute”

messy puff, clear lip gloss, and her favorite white Crocs, decorated with gold crowns and book charms.

Lala wore her sky-blue BU hoodie dress with fluffy socks and glittery slides, while Stormii rocked a black crop hoodie with high-waisted joggers and rhinestone-laced Crocs that squeaked when she walked. Each of them wore the same sleepy-eyed excitement, the kind that came with knowing the day was going to be full of food, games, and possible drama.

As they stepped into the quad, rubbed her arms.

“Why is it chilly and sunny at the same time?”

“Because fall in Georgia doesn’t know how to act,”

Stormii replied.

“One minute, it’s pumpkin spice; the next, it’s heatstroke.”

They passed other students heading in the same direction, most dressed in layers, BU merch, and various levels of last-night-leftover energy. The cafeteria sat right across the quad from Residence Hall, where stayed. It wasn’t far, but every step felt like a mini runway walk.

“Girl, you smiling like you got a text this morning,”

Lala said, nudging her.

shook her head. “No text.”

Stormii raised an eyebrow.

“No text? From Yon Dawson? After all that last night?”

“I mean…”

shrugged, trying not to look too bothered.

“I wasn’t expecting anything. He’s got the game today. Probably busy.”

Lala made a dramatic face.

“Busy not texting you back? Couldn’t be me.”

Stormii gasped.

“Not you being in your feelings! It’s okay, boo. You only had him whispering sweet nothings in VIP and holding your hand in the moonlight.”

rolled her eyes, but she was laughing.

“Y’all annoying.”

They entered the cafeteria to a packed house. Long tables were crowded with students in sweats, jerseys, and bonnets. The kitchen staff had gone all out: waffles, eggs, turkey bacon, grits, fried chicken, fruit, and stacks of French toast dripping with butter and powdered sugar.

“Now this is how you start a Homecoming day,”

Stormii declared, heading toward the buffet line.

As they loaded up their plates, scanned the room quietly and casually, like she wasn’t looking for anybody in particular. But Yon wasn’t there.

No black-and-gold jacket. No cocky smile. No teasing smirk.

Just the usual mix of athletes, student leaders, sleepy creatives, and a gospel playlist humming through the speakers.

Lala leaned over.

“He’s not here, huh?”

tried to play it cool.

“I mean… he probably had an early walk-through. It's game day.”

Stormii studied her.

“You sure you not lowkey in love?”

gave her a look.

“I will throw this syrup at you.”

“Make it warm, baby,”

Stormii grinned.

They took their seats near the window and dug into their food, the sunlight hitting their table just right. Conversations about outfits, tailgate plans, and game predictions swirled around them.

chewed slowly, still thinking. Maybe she shouldn’t care if he texted. Maybe last night was just fun. A moment. But when someone makes you feel seen, I mean really seen, it's hard not to wonder what comes next. And despite the waffles and laughter, she couldn’t help but feel a small, quiet ache in her chest. Yon was popular and good looking. What if she was making more out of her encounters with Yon than she should. After all, it wasn’t like they were dating, hell, he barely even recognized her. She was just the girl he was being nice to, that was all, nothing more.

The girls scraped their trays and headed toward the trash bins. They were full and still living off the high from the fun they had last night. Excited and ready for whatever the day had in store for them then the mood shifted. had just tossed her napkin when she felt a firm hand palm her ass.

She froze.

“What the hell?”

she snapped, spinning around.

Behind her, Terrence’s overpowering presence covered the space. Tree was very attractive, his creamy caramel complexion, mesmerizing eyes, and perfect 360 waves had girls all over campus falling for his wicked charm. Unfortunately, Terrence or Tree as his line brothers called him, was an asshole. He gave her a twisted grin as he stood there in his gold Phi Ro letters across his black hoodie. His gold grill sparkled as he licked his lips.

“Damn, bitch,”

he drawled loud enough for half the cafeteria to hear.

“Why we ain’t fucked yet?”

Lala whipped around.

“Excuse you?”

Stormii was already stepping forward.

“Who the hell are you talking to like that?”

stared at him, eyes wide, disgust bubbling up in her chest.

“Excuse me?”

Then Tree laughed, nodding to his crew behind him, two other Phi Ros, all hyped up and loud like they were in the damn club.

“Nah, I’m serious,”

he said, eyes crawling over her body.

“You look like you got that sweet stuff. Bet you taste like peach cobbler.”

His boys laughed, and he took a step closer, reaching for her hand like she was supposed to giggle and blush.

jerked away.

“Don’t touch me.”

She turned to walk off, heart thudding, stomach churning but he wasn’t done.

“You acting brand new, huh?”

he called after her.

“Don’t act like you don’t want it. You were really friendly last night in the club…”

“Keep walking,”

Stormii muttered, stepping between him and .

But now the whole table of Phi Ros was watching, and Tree refused to stop, instead getting louder.

“Stormii, long time no see.”

He smirked before continuing to stare at , “Man, fuck all that. You think ‘cause you danced with Yon, you untouchable now?”

stopped dead in her tracks.

“What did you say?”

“Oh, now you listening,”

Tree sneered, stepping in again.

“Yeah, I know about y’all. When Yon get through with you, can I hit it? You just a warm-up. A side bitch. That’s what he do. Ask my cousin. Besides, I’m tryna make you my number one.”

“Cousin?”

said slowly, putting the pieces together.

“Oh, shit. You don’t know?”

he smirked.

“His ex. That’s family. So yeah, watch yourself, sweetheart.”

Before could clap back, before Stormii could swing her tray, a deep voice cut through the tension like a blade.

“You good, ?”

It was Yon.

He appeared behind them with Ace, Gravy, and Porkchop, all in game-day black joggers and varsity jackets, looking serious as hell. Yon’s jaw was tight. His eyes were locked on Terrence, his whole energy shifted from chill to ready.

stepped back toward Yon without thinking.

“I’m fine,”

she said, voice tight.

Yon glanced between her and Tree.

“That’s a funny way to treat a lady.”

Tree smirked but his stance changed.

“Relax, man. We was just joking.”

Yon stepped closer.

“Nah. You was disrespecting.”

Ace chimed in, arms folded.

“You talk to all women like that, or just the ones out your league?”

Gravy added, “You wanna impress somebody, go read a book, my nigga.”

“Real cute, Gravy. It’s nice seeing you not bitch up for once.”

Tree laughed.

Tree’s boys were quiet now.

Stormii muttered, “Y’all real loud until men show up.”

Porkchop looked at Stormii, then nodded toward Tree.

“He bothering you?”

Stormii gave a proud nod.

“Was. Not anymore.”

Tree held his hands up.

“Whatever, man. She ain’t all that anyway.”

Yon’s eyes darkened.

“Then why you here?”

Tree scoffed and walked off with his crew, muttering under his breath.

stood there, still stunned, her hands slightly shaking.

Yon looked at her gently now.

“You sure you good?”

She nodded slowly.

“Yeah… now.”

He reached for her hand without asking.

“Let’s walk. Fresh air’ll help.”

As they left the cafeteria, Yon’s fingers brushed hers, warm and reassuring. She glanced up at him. And for a second, the cafeteria, the confrontation, even the stupid Phi Ro drama—all of it faded. Because the way Yon looked at her? It wasn’t casual. It wasn’t just Homecoming hype. It was real. And knew it.