Page 25

SERENITY

M y heart pounded as I stood backstage, stretching out my limbs, trying to ease the tightness in my muscles. This was it. The final performance of my freshman year.

Monty was calm, sitting nearby, rolling his shoulders back, but I knew him well enough to see the anticipation in his posture.

"You good, Serenity?" he asked, eyeing me as I exhaled deeply.

"Yeah," I muttered, nodding my head. With how hard I was nodding; I felt like my head was going to separate from my neck. "Just... ready to get this over with."

I had done this a thousand times before from the age of 6 years old until now.

Had performed in front of some important people, it was how I had gotten accepted into Tisch in the first place.

But also because I had been a part of Thee Debbie Allen’s dance Academy.

Was chosen by Debbie Allen herself to play the lead in her black Nutcracker production during my sophomore year. But tonight, it felt different.

Because Creed was here. And the last time he saw me dance with Monty, he had flipped the hell out.

I knew the routine was sensual—every move choreographed to match the intensity of Jill Scott’s ‘ He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)’ —but this wasn’t about anyone else. This was about me. My grade and my talent.

I had something to prove.

The moment I stepped under the stage lights, I felt it, the nerves, the rush, the anticipation—all fading into focus.

The music swelled, and suddenly, there was nothing but the rhythm.

Monty and I moved in perfect unison, our bodies flowing with every beat, every lyric, every shift in tempo.

The chemistry was undeniable—but it wasn’t romantic…

It was art. And when we hit the final pose, holding it for the last lingering note of the song— the audience erupted.

I blinked, breathing heavily, chest rising and falling as I stared at the crowd as we did our final bow. And then I saw him. My homie, my lover, my friend, Creed. He was on his feet smiling, clapping, and yelling louder than anyone else.

Arielle, Averi and Egypt were right next to him, screaming like they had lost their minds, while Brodie, Trent and Donovan stood beside them, clapping with their usual chill demeanor. My entire friend group was showing out. And Creed? He was the loudest of them all.

I didn’t know why, but seeing him happy, proud, completely unbothered made my chest tighten in the best way possible.

I had barely changed into my jeans and cropped top before I found my friends in the audience, slipping into the empty seat next to Creed as we waited for Egypt and Averi’s performance.

They were backstage now, I’d made sure to stop by and pray with them, same as they had done for me earlier in the night.

Before I could say anything, Creed leaned over, his lips grazing my ear.

"You ate that shit up, baby." His voice was low, deep, and thick with something I couldn’t name.

I smirked, still catching my breath. "You think so?"

"Nah, I know so," he murmured. "And we gon’ need to talk about you dancin’ like that for me. Privately."

I chuckled, tilting my head toward him. "Oh yeah? You want a private show?"

His hand slid onto my thigh, his fingers grazing my skin. "I want a lot of shit, Beautiful. And I know you gon’ make it happen."

I shivered slightly, knowing he was right.

"One day," I whispered, teasing. “Soon.”

"Bet."

The lights dimmed again, and we turned our attention to the stage as Egypt took the mic, Averi sitting behind a grand piano.

The first few notes hit, and I recognized the song immediately—it was an original and they had practiced with the piano in our apartment a time or two. The song was called Love Lost.

Egypt’s voice came through the speakers; raw, rich, powerful. “ There’s no love lost. I did the best I could, working with the material I was provided. It came at a cost; I would change it if I could…”

Averi played effortlessly, her head slightly bowed, her lips barely moving as she softly sang background vocals. I watched, enthralled, as Egypt poured her soul into the lyrics, her voice thick with emotion, the melody weaving through the theater like magic.

By the time they finished, the crowd was on its feet. Averi looked surprised by the response. But Egypt? She soaked it in, letting the applause wash over her like she had been waiting for this moment her entire life.

"They just killed that," I murmured to Creed.

He nodded. "Yeah, they did. Y’all all some stars in this group."

I smiled. "Takes one to know one Mr. NBA."

After the recital ended, we all went out for dinner, celebrating the end of a long semester and a successful night. The restaurant was loud with laughter, our group taking up an entire section as we toasted to finishing the year strong.

“You coming with me afterwards, right?” Creed asked and I nodded.

I would never miss an opportunity to be laid up with him.

Honestly, sex with Creed was so fucking good, I would be a fool to pass up on it.

The way he had my toes curling on a regular basis, the way he constantly put me to sleep; there was no alternative but to leave with him.

“Langston there is no way I’m not coming with you.” I whispered before placing a kiss on his lips. “I owe you a dance anyway, right?”

He smirked, before placing one last peck on my lips.

"So, listen," Arielle said speaking to Averi, Egypt and I, sipping her wine. "I was thinking—Averi and Egypt should take the extra two bedrooms in the apartment."

I turned to them, raising a brow. "Y’all down?"

“Wait, you serious?” Averi asked and Ari and I nodded.

We had discussed this only a few nights ago.

It was funny how during the school year we had gotten so close to them.

We had spent so much time with those two that it didn’t seem real.

Averi and Egypt had become some of my best friends and I loved them.

There was never anything they couldn’t ask of me and I wouldn’t do my best to accomplish it for them.

But that was what it meant to be a Bradshaw.

We loved hard and took care of the people we loved the most.

Egypt grinned. "Hell yeah, I’m down."

Averi nodded, smiling. "I’d love that."

"Perfect," I said, lifting my glass. "Then it’s settled."

I was curled up on the couch in my apartment, watching the city lights outside the window when my phone rang displaying Daddy along with a photo of the both of us; same smile, same eyes.

Those were the only two things I had inherited from him, the rest of me, was all Sienna including the deep rich chocolate skin tone.

I sighed before answering. "Hey, Daddy."

"Hey, Tootie. How you doin’?"

"I’m good."

He was quiet for a second, then?—

"Baby, you really not gon’ talk to your mama?"

I closed my eyes silently chuckling, my stomach twisting.

This was a conversation I had, had with him many times since Barbados.

I usually never passed up a phone call with him, but ever since Barbados he had been calling me too much; always trying to make sure I was okay, despite me telling him I was fine.

"No."

"Serenity—"

"Daddy, stop." I sighed. "I have nothing to say to her."

"She feels awful for what she said."

"She should stand on business then."

"Tootie…"

"No, Daddy. She meant that shit. She didn’t say it in the heat of the moment—she said it because she believes it. So, what is there to talk about?"

"She’s your mom.”

"And?" I shot back. "She didn’t act like it when she told me I ruined her life."

“Serenity, you weren’t nice either.”

“That’s not an excuse for her to say what she said.”

He sighed heavily. "I just don’t want y’all to let this be the end of your relationship."

"It is what it is."

“I know it’s bad but?—"

“I’m not coming home this summer.” I interrupted him. “I decided that a few weeks go. There was no need for it. I had already talked to Sevyn and agreed to meet him in Malibu for a week but the rest of my summer was going to be between New York and wherever Creed landed.

“Serenity, are you serious?”

"Yes."

"You not even coming home?"

"Nope," I said, popping the p. "If you wanna see me, you can come here or, I’m supposed to hang out with Sev in Malibu."

Another silence, before —

"I miss you, baby."

My heart softened. "I miss you too, Daddy."

"Alright." His voice was softer now. "I’ll come see you soon. I promise."

"Okay."

"I love you, Tootie."

"Love you too."

I hung up, exhaling deeply, staring out at the skyline. I knew I was stubborn. I knew I had walls up. But after everything with Sienna, I couldn’t force myself to pretend. She had said what she said and now? She had to live with it.