Page 11

SERENITY

" Y ou know I could get used to this, right?"

I smirked over my caramel macchiato, watching as Egypt stretched out in the booth, looking as content as ever. We were sitting inside one of those little overpriced cafés near campus, our drinks in front of us, a half-eaten pastry plate between us.

Averi snorted, tucking a piece of her sleek black bob behind her ear.

"What, being a spoiled NYU girl?"

"Exactly," Egypt grinned, sipping on her chai latte. "Serenity, I need you to adopt me into your rich-ass family. You got room for one more?"

I laughed shaking my head. "Girl, my family is already a lot. You sure you wanna be part of the chaos?"

"Chaos with money? Sign me up," Egypt teased, before turning serious. "Nah, but for real, y’all my girls now. I rock with y’all heavy."

Averi nodded, smiling. "Same. It’s crazy how we just met, but it feels like we been cool forever."

I felt the same way.

Averi and Egypt had already cemented themselves as my people, and it had only been a few weeks.

"Speaking of chaos, though," I muttered, glancing down as my phone rang. Sevyn.

I smirked, already knowing what this was about.

"My favorite sibling," I greeted, answering the call.

"Your only sibling," he shot back, laughing. "What’s up, birthday girl?"

"My birthday ain’t for another week," I reminded him, twirling my straw.

"And? I gotta start planning now. You know we doing it big, right?"

"We?"

"Yeah, we. You think I’m letting my baby sister’s first birthday in New York slide with some regular party? We turning up."

"You’re so dramatic," I laughed.

"I’m dramatic? Nigga, you the one named Serenity and ain’t never been peaceful a day in your life."

Egypt and Averi burst out laughing.

"Who is that?" Egypt mouthed.

"Sevyn," I mouthed back, watching as her eyes lit up with interest.

"Oh, he sound fine." She grinned, leaning forward. "Put me on."

I rolled my eyes but put the phone on speaker.

"Sev, meet my new besties. Averi and Egypt."

"What’s up, ladies?" he greeted smoothly.

"Oh yeah, he fine," Egypt whispered dramatically, making Averi giggle.

"I’m doing amazing now that I heard your voice," Egypt flirted, and I groaned, shaking my head.

"Nope. We’re shutting this down right now," I said quickly.

"Aww, Tootie, why you blocking?" Sevyn teased.

"Because I’m trying to keep my friendships intact," I huffed.

"Whatever," Egypt smirked. "I’ll see you at the party, future brother-in-law."

Sevyn laughed. "Oh, I like her."

I sighed, already knowing Egypt wasn’t gonna let this go.

After I hung up, she turned to me with a serious look.

"Yeah, I’m marrying into the Bradshaw family. Just letting you know now."

"Oh my God," I groaned, burying my face in my hands as Averi cracked up.

The apartment was already packed, the sound of music, laughter, and conversation filling the space as people danced, drank, and celebrated. But as soon as I stepped inside, I could feel the attention shift toward me.

I didn’t blame them. I looked damn good.

My Tinkerbell costume was everything—a soft green, off-the-shoulder mini dress hugging my curves, delicate wings glittering behind me, my curly hair pinned up in an elegant updo with gold clips accenting my natural highlights.

"You out here breaking hearts tonight, Tootie," Arielle teased, pressing a drink into my hand. I glanced at her tight black leather catsuit, leather boots and the pointed ears on top of her head.

"Damn right," I smirked, taking a sip. “You look fuckin’ amazing Ari.”

“Thank you.” She bumped her hip out. “This is going to be a good night.”

“Yeah, it is. Keep Egypt away from Sev, please.”

I scanned the crowd, catching sight of my girls first.

Averi, dressed as Cleopatra, was sipping on her drink, smirking at something Egypt said, who looked flawless in her Princess Tiana costume, her green dress flowing effortlessly as she laughed.

Brodie was nearby, watching Arielle like she was the only person in the room, dressed as batman.

I even spotted Donovan and Trenton, lingering around talking to two women in a corner.

And then—I saw him…Creed. I knew he was coming, but seeing him was something else entirely.

He stood near the back, dressed in all black, a thin gold crown sitting on top of his short curls, his caramel skin glowing under the dim party lights.

His eyes flickered toward me, and for a moment, everything else blurred.

The air between us crackled, thick with that thing we had been dancing around for months.

But before I could fully process it, a familiar voice pulled me back to reality.

"Damn, if I would’ve known you were going as Tinkerbell, I would’ve planned this better."

I turned to see Malcolm standing in front of me, dressed as Peter Pan.

I smiled. "Oh, so you’re saying I’m the star, and you’re just my sidekick?"

He grinned, his eyes warm. "Something like that."

Malcolm was cool. We had been hanging out a lot over the past two weeks, grabbing coffee between classes, texting when we had time. He was funny, easy to talk to, and had a laid-back confidence that made him easy to be around.

"You look good, Serenity," he said, eyes scanning my costume. "Really good."

I tilted my head, sipping my drink. "You clean up nice yourself, Peter."

He smirked. "I was hoping you’d notice."

I laughed, shaking my head, but before I could say anything else, I felt Creed’s eyes on me again. I glanced over my shoulder, and sure enough, he was watching. Our eyes locked, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.

He wasn’t saying anything, didn’t have to. Because the look in his eyes said enough. And for some reason, that look made my heart race in a way Malcolm’s compliments never did.

"You good?" Malcolm asked, pulling my attention back to him.

I blinked, nodding quickly. "Yeah. Let’s dance."

I was having a good time partying with my friends, celebrating my birthday. My 19 th year on this earth and it was a fresh beginning with new people who were important to me.

It had been an amazing day in general. Besides, this party, I had gotten several deliveries throughout the day.

My Uncle Leo and Aunt Aimee sent me a new Chanel purse.

My grandparents had sent me a diamond necklace and My daddy (and Sienna, if you want to be technical) had purchased shares of some of my favorite brands, including Disney.

"Aight, aight! Everybody shut up for a second!" Sevyn’s voice boomed through the apartment, pulling everyone’s attention toward the center of the room.

I was sitting on the couch, a fresh drink in my hand, with Malcolm next to me, one arm draped over the back of the couch in a way that was casual but suggestive.

Creed was across the room, watching.

Again.

"It’s my little sister’s first birthday in the city," Sevyn announced, raising his glass. "So, of course, we had to turn up the right way. Serenity, you already know how much I love you, how proud I am of you, and how I’ll still drop a nigga if they step outta line."

The room laughed, but I could see the way Malcolm shifted slightly, sitting up straighter.

"Happy birthday, baby sis," Sevyn finished, grinning before tipping back his drink.

Everyone cheered, and before I could even react, Arielle was standing next to him, raising her own glass.

"Okay, my turn! To my favorite girl cousin—" she made sure to clarify looking in Sevyn’s direction.

"Only girl cousin," I corrected, laughing.

"Same thing," she smirked. "Tootie, you are the most brilliant, talented, stubborn person I know. And I love you for it. Happy birthday!"

More cheers. More clinking glasses. And then?—

"Alright, I got one." Creed’s voice was low but commanding, silencing the crowd. I stiffened slightly as he stepped forward, raising his glass, his light brown eyes locked onto mine.

"To Serenity," he started, voice smooth but full of something heavy.

"To the girl who don’t take no shit. Who moves like she owns every room she walks into. To the one who always acts like she’s fine even when she’s not, but still somehow makes everyone else feel like they got it together. To the one who don’t even realize how special she is."

The room was silent. The weight of his words hung in the air, thick, charged, undeniable.

"Happy birthday, Serenity," he finished, his smirk small but knowing.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my ears. Because the way he said that? That wasn’t just a toast. That was something else. And I wasn’t the only one who noticed.

“Who is he?” Malcolm asked.

"Damn," Egypt muttered beside me. "That was a little too deep for just a best friend toast."

"Shut up," I whispered, taking a long sip of my drink.

But I could still feel his eyes on me.

Later that night, I stepped out onto the balcony, needing a breather. I should’ve known I wouldn’t be alone for long.

"So that’s your type?"

I turned, already knowing who it was before I even saw him. Creed stepped outside, leaning against the railing beside me, his expression unreadable.

"What?" I asked, raising a brow.

"Malcolm," he said, voice low. "That’s your type?"

I crossed my arms. "What’s it to you?"

He licked his lips and exhaled. "You really wanna do this right now?"

"You’re the one who brought it up."

Silence.

The city lights flickered in the distance, and for a second, neither of us spoke. Then, finally?—

"I don’t like seeing you with him." I sucked in a breath. His voice was low, raw, honest.

A confession.

"Creed…" I started, but he shook his head.

"I ain’t saying this to start something. I just… I need you to know." His eyes locked onto mine. "I don’t like seeing you with him. And I hate that I ain’t got no right to feel that way."

My heart pounded.

"Then what do we do?" I whispered.

He exhaled, looking down. "I gotta end things with Gianna."

I swallowed hard, nodding. "Yeah, you do."

More silence.

Then, he looked back at me, his eyes full of something intense.

"But when I do…" he murmured. "We talk. For real." I bit my lip, feeling like I was standing on the edge of something big.

"Okay," I whispered.

We weren’t there yet. But we were getting closer. And this? This was just the beginning.