Page 21 of Blake University: HBCU Chronicles – Yon & Imole

By the time brunch prep rolled around, our room looked like a beauty salon and a mini fashion week rolled into one. Hot combs sizzled. Makeup bags exploded. The curling wand was on rotation. Gospel and R&B fought for dominance on the playlist, and we were all still floating on the high from last night.

sat cross-legged on the bed, trying to apply lashes without gluing her eyes shut, while Stormii twirled in front of the mirror in a fitted champagne satin dress that shimmered with every step.

“So…”

Lala started, glancing at me through her bronzer mirror.

“You gone tell us what really happened? Don’t leave us hangin’, sis.”

She already knew what they wanted to know. Rolling her eyes, she smiled.

“We didn’t do it.”

Stormii snapped her head around.

“Wait what?! Y’all were in his room all night.”

“I know,”

she said, cheeks warming.

“But it wasn’t like that. He wasn’t on that with me. We talked, we cuddled… and we kissed.”

Lala’s jaw dropped.

“You kissed Yon Dawson?!”

Stormii squealed, nearly knocking over the setting spray.

“Okay, now that’s the part you need to stop skimming over. Run. That. Back.”

laughed, flopping backward on the bed.

“It was soft. Like, real soft. Like a promise or something. Not that hungry, I'm-just-trying-to-smash kiss. It felt like… he wanted me. The real me.”

Both of them gave her that look equal parts awe and suspicion.

“I’m telling y’all, it wasn’t like any other kiss I’ve had. I melted.”

Lala clutched her chest.

“Oh, she gone. She done fell in love off one kiss.”

“I mean… maybe just a little,”

confessed, covering her face with a pillow.

“Well, you ain’t the only one having a lil’ romance,”

Lala said, sliding on her gold hoop earrings.

“Me and Ace did a little sum-something last night. Just enough to keep things interesting. And guess who’s also got a brunch date?”

Stormii and both gasped.

“Girl, what?!”

Lala shrugged, trying to act nonchalant.

“I mean… I was curious. I’m glad I did it. He’s actually sweet.”

“Speaking of brunch dates…”

Stormii chimed in with a devilish grin.

“I definitely fucked the shit out of Porkchop last night. The least he could do is feed me today.”

“Y’all so nasty,”

joked, laughing as they both hollered.

“I’m nasty and fed,”

Stormii said, smoothing down her dress with no shame.

By the time they finished getting dressed, they looked like they could’ve hosted the brunch, not just attend it.

Lala wore a cream-colored off-the-shoulder midi dress with ruched sleeves, paired with nude pumps and soft waves that framed her face perfectly.

Stormii, always a drama queen in the best way, wore a plum peplum blazer dress with gold buttons and strappy heels to match. Her tight curls were pinned up in a messy crown that showed off her neck and shoulders.

And ?

She went with a blush pink wrap dress that hugged her waist and flared just above the knees. It paired perfectly with pearl drop earrings, white kitten heels, and her curls pulled into a half-up, half-down style. Simple, soft glam. A little lip gloss. Just enough to make him stare.

“Okay, ladies,”

Lala said, striking a pose in the mirror.

“Let’s go turn heads and claim our men.”

“Periodt,”

Stormii added, fluffing her curls.

As they made their way out of the dorm, all could think about was Yon’s smile, and the way he held her like she belonged there and belonged to him. And today, she was not just some girl he flirted with at a party. She was His guest. His choice.