Page 20 of Blake University: HBCU Chronicles – Yon & Imole
stirred slowly, eyes fluttering open to soft light filtering through half-closed blinds. The room was warm, quiet, and still carried traces of cologne and something woodsy. It took her half a second to realize she wasn’t in her bed.
She was in his. Yon's.
Her cheek was pressed against his chest, the steady rise and fall of it comforting. His arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her like he had no plans of letting go anytime soon. When she tilted her head to look up at him, Yon was already awake. Watching her.
“Good morning,”
he said, voice low and a little rough from sleep.
“Morning,”
she whispered, lips curving into a shy smile.
He reached up, gently brushing one of her curls out of her face.
“You sleep okay?”
She nodded, barely getting the word out.
“Yeah… surprisingly well.”
They lay there for another beat, breathing in the moment. Then, without thinking, he leaned in and kissed her. Soft and slow. The kind of kiss that wasn’t trying to prove anything. It was just a hello. Am I safe here? You’re safe anytime I’m around.
’s fingers gripped the hem of his hoodie, the same hoodie that she’d fallen asleep in and kissed him back.
When they finally broke apart, both smiling now, he ran his hand down her back and asked, “What are you doing later?”
“Brunch with Lala and Stormii,”
she answered, though it sounded like a question now that she was in his arms.
“Well… what if you came to the Alumni Brunch Service with me instead?”
he asked.
“As my guest.”
blinked.
“Seriously?”
Yon grinned.
“Yeah. I want you there.”
She chewed her bottom lip for a second, heart skipping a beat. “Okay,”
she said softly.
“Yeah. I’d like that.”
“Oh,”
he added, amusement creeping into his voice, “just so you’re not surprised, Lala and Stormii stayed the night here, too.”
’s brow shot up.
“Wait what?”
He laughed, hands up in mock defense.
“I know, right? That’s what I said.”
“Oh my God,”
she groaned, burying her face in his chest.
“They’re never gonna let me live this down.”
“Probably not,”
he said, chuckling as he kissed the top of her head.
“But they’re cool. My boys are good dudes.”
“And what about Shawna?”
she asked, peeking up at him with a knowing look.
He sighed.
“We’ll talk about her later. Right now, I just want to chill with you before the madness starts again.”
let herself settle into his arms again, her heart thudding with something she hadn’t felt in a long time—peace and acceptance.