One Cup
Chapter 3: Hop In
Summary: If it ain't one thing it's another! Finals are drawing near, the pageant is days away and now you have to deal with an attitude just to make your scholastic resume look good, who knew the boat you were sinking on had an extra seat? Your limits are being put to the test and you never know who's watching.
!!CW!! Fighting, College Au, HBCU!AU, black fem reader,
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
"Y/n you bout to piss me off..you didn't say anything?" Liyah stood in the middle of the kitchen, her jaw loose on the floor listening to you practically explain to her that you watched Jabber walk out of the dance hall with another girl.
"He said "cAn I bORrow yoUr frIend?" You mocked in a deep husky voice turning up your face running the scene back in your head. "I stepped back cuz I didn't know what it was about! I didn't know he was finna ask her about the party, she said one of them niggas picked her up!"
"Well apparently it's Jabari! He just told me you were in his car about to go out! You N/N!" She mocked. "Told me everything."
"Everything?" Your face morphed into a horrified look,
"Why didn't you tell me you slept with him?? This makes a lot of sense to why you were acting crazy! You want to be with him because if you didn't, him being with LaNae wouldn't bother you like this."
"It's not bothering me! I don't care! He could've asked at a different timeโฆwithout me being present."
Your best friend sliced her eyes directly at you rolling her eyes as she turned up her lips waving her hand in your face to move you out of the way. You were still in full nighttime mode, wearing a full bonnet to cover your next hairstyle for the next two weeks, a white face mask slowly clearing away and a long moomoo draped to the floor.
"What's all this in here?" Liyah questioned walking through the living to see scattered papers lying around, 2 empty manly looking beers and 2 wine coolers sitting on the coffee table, the TV still had the movie that was playing on pause casing her to notice the lights dimmed.
Liyah rubbed her face pinching the bridge of her nose out trying to make sense of the day and what the hell was happening in front of her. Did Jabari just leave or did he already take her out? Question after question led Liyah's headache to expand. What was supposed to be a night to herself became a game of Clue and judging by your twisted expression, looking around like you lost something on the ground the reasonable answer she hoped for was about to be a dumb one.
"Onyan just left! We had to finish Professor Rock Lock's history presentation and he brought drinksโฆand he gave me a foot rub.." You trailed off, walking over to the couch to finish cleaning up.
"Did you fuck him too??" Liyah spat out, pacing around the living room before going to the kitchen to grab the trashcan to help.
"I'm not hot in the ass! Jabber knocked my period on so I haven't been doing a damn thing! He rubbed my feet, we finished the project, drunk a little bit and he went home! The boy is a christian not to mention an Alpha!"
"Oh god! Like that makes it any better, ain't no way that man rubbed your feet just for him to be your homeboy!" Liyah sighed, fixing up the pillows on the couch while you collected your papers and your laptop.
"That's what he is! A friend! I've only known him about a year we see each other on the field alot and we have similar classes. He told me he's not dating nobody right now and doesn't plan on it and neither am I." You huffed
"So Jabber kissing up on LaNae doesn't bother-
"Why are we talking about him?" You snapped, tossing your papers onto the counter, finishing off the living room to transition back onto the kitchen to clear off anything else you missed.
"Because he thinks LaNae is you! Quit that nonchalant bullshit and stop slamming shit around! You're pissed!"
You scoff, tossing another dish harshly into the sink bracing yourself on the counter while your thoughts ganged up on you. Images of Jabber hugging up on LaNae, her corny ass voice laughing and smiling at everything he said, your mind flashed back to practice noticing her giving him little looks and him scanning the room for her eyes then suddenly those enticing pink orbs locked on your yours, clicking you back to focus on the conversation in front of you. Your shaking leg was more than enough proof to prove Liyah's statement and Yasmin's analysis when you blew her off before practice. You didn't mean it
It's stupid, you knew it was stupid. A silly crush and a one night stand that didn't mean anything to you or to him!
"What can I really do about it now? He'll see that it's not me then i'll turn him down because I'm not showing him off to my mama! Look..I've had my fun but this thing can't go any further.." You swallowed hard, letting out a shaky breath. "The Pageant should be the only thing on my mind, I graduate next year I got things to do..and worrying about him ain't helping a damn thing.."
"It's not! Both of ya'll are aggravating the shit out of me. I support whatever decision you decide to do but you can't keep quiet about it forever, it's not gonna go how you want it too. Liyah spoke up, grabbing something to drink letting the fridge close on its own before trailing up the stairs, leaving you alone with your thoughts. Onyan didn't seem to have any underlying tones of wanting to be with you, was the tension in the atmosphere indescribable at times? Yes, the foot rub itself was inherently sensual giving the lighting in the room, the alcohol settling in your system, how careful his fingertips were and how intentional he pressed into the soles of your feet while you talked about your day. It felt like a husband and wife winding down after a long day, the movie was on merely for background noise.
"But it was a friendly get together!"
"You don't want Onyan"
"You don't want Jabber."
Jabari..
"Oh Jabber.." You heard not your voice but LaNae's
Instead of 11:59 deadlines, you were placed on an imaginary one
And the time was ticking.
~ The phone line went dead and the locced man lifted up his eyes to check on his girl for the evening who still hadn't stepped out of the house. He pulled up a good 10 minutes ago and had enough time to call not one but two people, Liyah and Devin just to tell the good news about finding his culprit. That same sweet smelling perfume that once graced his nostrils contorted into something darker though Jabber didn't mind experiencing the full scent yet a silent wish to smell those sweet undertones remained in his thoughts.
A scent that only grew stronger when he was around Devin..
"Ugh.." Jabber shivered.
and youโฆit didn't make any sense to him. In the interview you specifically explained how this was yor first time associating with men apart of the fraternity, so why would you be at a que party? LaNae fit every mental description he had seeing her walk into the dance hall, he noticed you in the middle of the floor completing the moves and LaNae adjusting her leggings for the fifth time in a row. Everywhere you and her went the smell surrounded him like a guilty pleasure, it wasn't until he walked up to grab her that set it in stone.
He took her just outside of the classroom door asking her if she did go to the que party to confirm his suspicions, he overheard one of the girls mention their mama's not wanting them around Ques and it triggered another section of that night to replay in his mind.
"My mama's a delta she's pushing for it."
"I don't mess with 1911.."
His conclusions were adding up perfectly, her mother was an active Delta, she doesn't remember the party all too well and she had the exact same hairstyle. She checked all of his imaginary boxes but the suspicions sitting on his chest grew quietly in the back of his mind, it was too easy. She didn't mention anything about what happened in the dean's office and she was way too eager to continue where he had left off that night and now with her still not ready for this impromptu date he set up, it made him wonder if she was even interested in him at all.
Because a quick fuck he can do, wasting his time wasn't.
"โฆfinally.." He mumbled watching the front door of her house open up to her wearing some pajama pants and a tank top. The outfit wouldn't be a problem if they were going to his place to chill but he took the time out to book a booth at a decent restaurant, the clothes he had on weren't fancy but he wanted to seem put together. All he had on was a nice black shirt with a grey flannel button up with some baggy off black pants with his hair untwisted out of his two strand twists, the haircut he had gotten for the first week of school still held up strong and those classic giant stud earrings he wore sparkled as the light of car turned on from Lanae opening the door to get in.
"That was rude.."
"Huh?" Jabber chirped, reaching over to close her door.
"You ain't get out to hug me, open my door.." She scoffed
"I was standing out here but I had a call to make while I was waiting on you.."
"Oh that's my bad I was trying to find something to put on.."
"I mean you dressed like you bout to go to sleep, I got us a table at Delmon's."
"You said we was going out, it's early! Like 8 o'clock the clubs aint even open yet."
Jabber laughed looking away out the driver side window before returning back to give her another look with his eyes saying "Is this girl serious?"
"I don't know what you used to but I wanted to get you something to eat if that's alright with you."
"You don't wanna eat what's in the backseat?"
"What's back- you being slick at the mouth." Jabber smirked, starting the car up.
"You acting stingy with it like you don't know what this isโฆtryina to see what 1911 taste like.." She mumbled off turning to look out her window as he pulled out of her driveway to head towards Delmons. The vibe of the car fell stale, LaNae had her head deep in her phone texting away while Jabber was focused on the road ahead of him, desperately trying to continue the conversation.
"So what do you remember from that night? I don't wanna ask you the same things if we already went through this.."
"Same shit you do, I was drunk watching yall stroll-"
"Hop.." Jabber corrected, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.
"Hop through, I got scooped up and next thing I know my legs are spread open and I'm being licked like an applesauce cup.." LaNae repeated with a dry giggle, holding up her finger to Jabber as a call came up on her screen to which she answered quickly
"What?โฆNo i'm notโฆare you serious? Right now? Uhhh I can.. I'm on the wayโฆ Can we stop by the store?" Lanae asked, hanging up her phone with a click immediately fucking around his cup holder and middle seat compartment. "Where's yo stuff? You don't smoke?"
"Not in my car, it's at the house."
"That's fine take me to the store and don't take this wrong but we might have to cancel this little date."
Jabber mentally canceled the date the second she started searching his car like she was the police yet the boy still had hope hanging on to the words he heard earlier, a voice so similar to the one he pulled to the side. Hearing how she wanted to cancel crushed his spirit, one side of him was devastated to see her go so soon and the other wanted the quickest route to wherever she wanted to go. That was the winning decision.
His nostrils flared while his tongue became restless in his mouth, licking the inside of his cheek as the music played.
"What's the address?" He asked dryly while she typed it into her phone letting the directions itself out loud. A quick store trip later Jabber did but him some backwoods to smoke with a sprite and let LaNae pay for her own items which trigger an unnecessary attitude and a harder push on the gas to pull out of the parking lot to get her to her destination. the bottom of his left eye twitched while he breathed, the scattered colors of lights flying by mixed in with the tress swiping by his vision.
Jabber was easily irritated and the boy tried his best to not let his anger get him into too much trouble, counting to 10 was bullshit, walking away was impossible and the deeper he breathed the more agitated he became.
"You gon miss the turn.." LaNae spoke up as Jabber's foot switched over to the break to turn into a paved driveway in front of a nicely sized house. His headlights shone in front of a all black vehicle and a license plate that was decorated in black and gold.
"I appreciate it Jabber, i'll text you in the morning." LaNae said, grabbing her items to get out of the car in a hurry, her crocs stepping in the grass to head towards the front door to knock hard three times. Jabber clicked his gears into reverse, curling up his lip reading the Aloha Phi Aloha license plate making the mistake to look at the front door of the house, revealing a tall built man opening the door, shirtless with a towel wrapped around his neck quickly closing the door right after.
Wheels spun on the pavement, speeding out of the driveway, his speedometer immediately leaning to the right going to grab his cell, clicking his contacts as his thumb hovered over "Do Not Contact" looking back at the road, Jabber knew had a long day ahead of him.
~
*Ding*
4:12 am
-Practice at 5:00am find your sisters.
Your eyes were still sealed with crust wincing from the bright screen illuminating the words. Did he mean to text you this early? How the hell were you suppose to leave your house and grab Harmony, LaNae and Taylen on the other side of campus and manage to be at Gountess hall in less than 45 minutes? Instinct told you text back to ask questions while your sleepy body moved on it's own throwing on the designated shirt he gave you all and whatever shorts you had in your vicinity to get a head start.
You ripped your bonnet off, swallowed a full cap of Listerine while running around the house like a fool, Liyah was passed out on the couch her hand still writing gibberish on her paper while her head nodded off, jerking every time you made a noise a bit too loud.
You grumbled into the night, carefully closing the door behind you to immerse yourself into the crisp early morning atmosphere, the air smelling thick of dew resting on the grass and damp leaves while you raced across the street to the first destination which was Harmony's dorm, the farthest on campus. Your feet tugged the earth underneath you turning your speed walk into a full on run while you frantically called LaNae and Taylen to at least have them up and ready but nobody was responding back. It made sense since it was damn near 4: 30 in the morning! You did end up getting a response not from Jabber but from LaNae saying she needed a ride to campus which meant somebody had to pick her ass up.
And it wasn't about to be you.
"If she stayed with Jabber why isn't she riding with him?" You thought, running inside of one of the dorm halls thanking the stars that someone held the door open with a rock. "No special treatment huh?" You snickered to yourself, turning your light rhn into a speed walk mentally saying names on random dorm doors until you got to Harmony's.
knock knock
"Harmony.."
*knock knock kno-*
"Whatwhat? Issssafire??"
"Girl get moving we got 30 minutes! Practice nigga!"
"Now?"
"Now now! We've got to get LaNae and Tay!" You whispered, forcing yourself inside to help the girl get her things together, still spam calling Taylen who kept sending your nuber to voicemail.
Harmony's phone goes out with a blinding flash notification, mumbling under her breath as she groggily waddled over to grab it, looking at the message then back at you with a groan.
"What?"
"Deuce grab breakfast for us all, be there at 5:11."
You gave a her that said "She what the fuck I told you?" throwing your arms out to the side before rolling your hands to signal her to speed the hell up. It was a silent conformation that since she was getting the food, you had to grab your last sister all within 25 minutes which was the easier route then what Harmony had to do, but forced cardio at the ass crack of dawn was a close second. She gave you the hall name to Taylen's dorm, the only building you had to put a code in to step inside however, Harmony never gave you a code.
Standing in front of the heavy metal door, your fingertips punched in random numbers to try and jailbreak the keypad, each time the machine shone the color red and harshly beeped a loud sound of an error it felt like playing Kahoot in the fifth grade all over again.
"Come on bro.." You sighed, preventing yourself from making another futile attempt by leaning your back against the brick wall, tapping your leg to try and kick start another plan to get inside the building. A custodian toting around garden supplies walked up the ramp part of the stairway, shaking his head as he entered the code onto the keypad, opening up the door while you gave him an awkward nod.
"Freshman.." He grumbled, watching you sprint down the hallway towards the dorm rooms.
The two of you made it with a minute to spare on the clock climbing up the stairs to reach the dance room. Jabber was already there sitting in a chair and tbale set by the mirrors, face clear of all expressions.
"Both of you, 2 laps around the room every minute your sisters dont walk through that door is another lap."
"Girl what?" Taylen wheezed, tossing her stuff down on the floor to try and catch her breath.
"That's a lap."
"Jabber they're at the breakfast spot! We just sent our orders in, how are you-"
"And I'm hearing a lot of complaining Ace. You wanna walk out be my guest and fuck it up for the rest of them. But like I saidโฆ thats a lap. Move." He stood up, allowing his voice to reverberate against the walls. It was too early to be going back and forth, your mind didn't have strength or the energy to come up with something slick to say back.A sour look was melted into his eyes as he watched You huff, joining in Taylen to run around the suddenly large room.
Practice became a completely different vibe after that day, it went from three days a week to every single day ranging from 2 hours to sometimes 3 going over information, running over lines, doing meticulous tasks and errands in under 30 minutes. All four of you felt humiliated doing all of this for what? a 25 minute presentation? You and Harmony were on your last legs as the Pageant was slowly approaching and Homecoming around the corner. Your schedule was jam packed with dress fittings, Pageant rehearsals, HLAQ practice, midterms, you were a chicken running around with it's head cut off!
It seemed like the only chance you got to see some peace was when Onyan came over to helo you wind down, bringing food over and sometimes something good to drink, you and him have gotten so close to where he was spending the night at the house. It became a new norm in your world and Liyah's who decided to step out of your business and let you handle your own problems.
The biggest one being Jabari.
Day after day, times reaching closer and closer to midnight, the more Jabari yelled the more you were turned off by his arrogance, instead of leading with purpose the man was spewing instructions and details out like a bitter poison, targeting LaNae the most. It felt like you and the other girls were getting the outskirts of the storm. Whatever paradise they were building was beginning to crumble into sand and a secret part of you was enjoying on the sidelines.
Today was nothing new, 5 am sharp you were up yawning with the rest of your sisters going through the entire routine since it was the last day you all could practice before the event. The music came to an abrupt stop causing the show stopping smiles top drop from your faces, deadpanning to the man wearing a black sleeveless tank top with some grey shorts. His long locs wrapped up in a low ponytail with his smallest loc sitting on his forehead as he walked up towards the four of yall glancing down the line turning up his face.
"Why are you mumbling the words? And why is my quad not where she supposed to be? Ace what's going on with this line? Ya'll look a mess!"
"Jabber you gotta relax, she knows what she doing..we just tired.." Harmony spoke up.
"A bunch of excuses, we'll sit here all day and run it till I think it's perfect."
"Ya'll can have that shit I'm going to class.." LaNae scoffed, walking off from the group.
"And cost yo line 20 laps around this room?"
"Jabari we've ran through the skit 8 times, the alphabet, the founders, the purpose, mission statement and we damn near know your blood type!"
"And you think that's good enough? How are you supposed to lead anything if you can't even get three girls together? Run itโฆagain." His voice louder with each syllable. You scrunched your brow looking up to him, whether you wanted this publicity or not your classes came before any student led organization. You kissed your teeth, looking at the locced man like he had lost his mind.
"Jabber I have class in a hour-"
"Run it again!" He interrupted, playing the music from the top, stepping back to solidfy him ignoring you.
"One last practice and this is all over.." Your mind ran, and like clock work you went through the entire performance over and over with Jabari watching intensely for the the slightest slip up, a single word being messed up, a hop out of place.
"Again."
"Too quiet..again."
You stomped harder, Harmony groaned out of annoyance, Taylen gave him every name in the book and LaNaeโฆshe thought this was the funniest thing in her life. She was the main reason why he repeated those same stupid words over and over, laughing every time he yelled at someone, snickering at Taylen merging the words together to make it seem like she knew them. During the final cycle of repeating the chant you all had to come up with, Jabber made every single one of you repeat the words each time harder than the last.
Jabber stepped right up to you, listening to how you were shouting the words curling his lip up out of anger.
"From yo chest I can't hear yo weak ass!" He barked as you repeated the cadence of words in a much harsher fashion, the ball in your throat forming to block any air escaping from your lips, the pink eye man locked his gaze who onto yours. You're breathing hard and he's standing still like the eye in the middle of the storm. A tear could've fell from your eye yet you held it together, breathing through your nostrils ass the other girls looked towards the both of you.
"We done here.."
The girls wasted not a single second to disband, grabbing their things from off of the floor to reset themselves after what just happened. You slowly stood down, walking away from his towering stature to sit on a nearby bench to catch your breath, your chest heaving up and down to match your racing attitude bubbling inside. What the fuck was his problem?
"Is there a reason you got a fucked up attitude or is this how all ques are supposed to act?"
The room fell silent, well as silent as it could with the air conditioning blaring through the dance hall. Jabber stood by the wall of mirrors, facing you with his eyes glaring at you with disgust like you swore something on his mother.
"This is nothing compared to what I went through on line, you coming at me asking how ques are supposed to act when you can't even follow simple instructions?"
"Instructions you come up with out of thin air! I'm tired of it Jabari. I understand breaking me down but this mean ass general shit you keep hitting us with ain't the reason I signed up for this!"
"You here for what? Your little pageant? Your friend put you up to this? Some dick even?"
"Is that what this is about? I don't WANT you! It ain't my fault you sleep with anything that walks around this bitch, LaNae ain't doing enough so what? That's doesn't give you a reason to act like you ain't got no-
"Ain't shit going on with me and LaNae!" He shouted, banging the mirror with his fist before he lunged at you. His muscles were prominent, flexing as he played with his fingers to try and keep them balled up. Your eyes were crunched together, you felt a metal clamp feeling squeeze down around your throat while you stood there. So it must be true then.
"Whatever the fuck it is leave me out of it..' You spoke, picking up your bag to make your way to the exit.
"Y-Y/n.." He called out.
No words followed behind, you turned your body to face him expecting a slick ass remark or him to cut you from the team yet instead you received a somber look in his eyes, his irises fell to the floor, searching the ground for a reasonable answer and not an excuse to look like a hypocrite although the sigh in his chest promised a different speech
"You right.."
"Huh?"
"You right, this ain't the reason we here..I'm sorry for wasting your time." Jabber words paved themselves, almost like each syllable stabbed him the chest. He rubbed his head to push his redundant loc out of the way alllwoing a skin burning silence to cascade inside of the hall. You watched Jabari pace around the room to get his thoughts together. There was no need to interrupt a man and his mental monologue playing in his mind, if him confessing about his relationship problems was the key to successful event, you were all ears.
"This is supposed to be a fun thing to do andโฆI let my personal shit get in the way. I'm better than thatโฆthis is my first year being president and my last year at Canvas Town..and hypothetically I met up with this girl from this party and it just ain't what I thought it was. It's corny call it how you see it but ever since that night I've been tripping..my grades slippin..I'm drowning out the ass in assignments and worrying about these dumb ass niggas is on the top of my shit listโฆ" Jabber went on.
"Overall none of that has nothing to do with you..and I'm.." He trails off, looking at any and everything else in the room to avoid your eyes, yet you continue the fight and searched for his pink pupils, a shaky breath leaving you once you latched onto his gaze. His painfully tired gaze.
"I'm sorry."
His words simmered in the atmosphere while the two of you stared each other down only this time, you hoped he could read your mind and you could take a peek into his. You knew exactly what that feeling was like, having to adjust to a new world, stepping out of your comfort zone it was a similar feeling all of the students at Canvas Town had the unfortunate demise of meeting. You crossed your arms swallowing your pride hard by walking towards the bench while Jabber did the same, he let out a deep exhale leaning forward with his elbows on his legs, his head towards the ground.
That same sweet smelling perfume swelled in his direction expanding his knowledge to more notes, was it vanilla? Jasmine? Amber? Nothing would stick yet he was surrounded by it messing up his mind while he tried to find the words to fill in that horrid silence he hated so much.
"I don't know what all you have going on.." You started, looking to him.
"But i can roughly say..I understand. I know about wanting to do it all and not having the capacity to do it and I know about new environments. This right here would get me killed in my household but i pushed out of my fear..i set my pride aside to try something out..all because of you. And a little help from my campaign manager. Moral of the story Jabber..if you need a friend or somebody to talk to i would think your brothers would be around to help.."
Jabber chuckled dryly.
"I trust my brothers with my life but never with a secret like that .."
"Well yelling at us like we're bad ass kids ain't how you go about it, talk to someone, pray or whatever you have to do. I was enjoying myself Jabari and i don't wanna walk out on something Im really interested in."
"I think you'll do just fineโฆtalking to you doesn't feel like a unnecessary meeting. I still apologize for my character and behalf of the chapter. It's not what we're about, I made you my ace for a reasonโฆyou could really make it on a line if you were interested in what you had to do."
"Maybe one dayโฆlets focus one thing at a time. " You softly chuckled, getting up.
"What sorority you thinking?" He chirped, happy the conversation pivoted over to you.
"What happened to being discreet?"
Jabber's eyes squinted at the corners, letting his cheeks pull into a soft smile getting up to join you walking out of the hall. The conversation didn't have to end so soon, he didn't want it to end at all. The locced man walked backwards while you walked forward, purposely slowing down your gait letting your slides drag on the ground as Jabber opened a door on a personal story, the topic of the hour being LaNae.
He told it all about the failed date, the multiple failed attempts of rescheduling and the nightmare of a night he had when she spent the night at his place. Would it be right to say you were secretly hoping this would happen? The guilt subsided and turned into justified happiness. You had much love for your first roommate but there was a reason why you requested to have a single room. Bright girl, but didn't live so bright and judging but Jabber's redaction to her, it was more than her lifestyle that needed fixing.
"Another niggas house? Jabariโฆ" You playfully gasped, walking down the steps. The sun poked its head up above the buildings spreading its rays across the green grass of the campus. Little peaks of the orange color flashed on Jabari's skin, piercing you in the eyes coating your face while you walked.
"I ain't say nothing about it cuz at the time i still wanted to hit but even then, my dick wouldn't work the way i needed him too.." He laughed, turning his body forward to help you down the steps. An unnecessary move but one you made a metal note of.
"Don't nobody wanna hear about yo shit.." You rolled your eyes wafting him away.
"Wouldn't you like to know about it.." He smirked, pushing you to the side chasing you to lose your step and a much more heavy laugh from the pink eye bastard.
He walked you all the way to the front gate of the school returning such a familiar feeling that night had but with a face he didn't recognize, you weren't ugly to Jabber in fact you were far from it. Body in perfect condition, legs thick enough to choke him out, your lips always glossed up so plump and smooth, you caught him staring at your lips while you were going on about the drama on the field and purposely outlining your body while he walked around you.
You weren't blind to the tricks, you were even playing a few of your own, flickering your eyes up and down noticing his fresh haircut he got for the event. You made a light joke about his hairline to which he responded
"Take that wig off.."
"It's a sew in weirdo.."
"Unsew that shit.."
"Retwist yo shit.."
"You always got something to say back.." He cracked, tossing his head back while he laughed, letting his fingers rest in the bars of the gate.
"I got class Jabari, let me go change."
"Alright grab the girls after y'all get finished. You got a busy ass day today I don't know how you handle all them people in your face."
"Same way you doโฆlet me not lie."
"You think you funny?"
You joined him in a heavy giggle slowly dying down to a thick silence, the birds singing across the sky while they flew by.
"O..okay i'll see you Jabber.."
"โฆsee you.."
~
The last class of the day is usually the longest being that it was in the middle of the day but to your surprise the professor zoomed by the lecture and gave the class an extra day to study for the test since he forgot he had to give one, the best kinds of professors. With extra time on your hands before Tryouts you headed to the library to wind down and catch up on your show so you could give Liyah some time to herself at the house.
The uphill walk to the library was the main reason why most people avoided going, yet the athletes and the gym heavy nerds thought it was the perfect getaway to study and let off a little steam from day to day life on campus. You pushed forward climbing up all 50 stairs to make your way inside of the glass building to sneak to your favorite spot tucked in the back of the library also known as the Theatre corner decorated like a kingdom for the kids when they read to them every week.
You pulled out your laptop, headphones and study papers slipping into the comfortable chair ready to knock out at least 2 hours of work, putting your phone on DND so no distractions could penetrate your mind of focus. The method always worked like a charm and the playlist you curated went perfect with the tone you were setting for the day.
Conflicted and Confused.
Jabari's conversation this morning replayed on loop, the softness in his voiced echoed in your mind like the perfect amount of reverb. His eyes were so tired,he meant every word he said, you knew you couldn't lift that weight settling on Jabber's heart but piece of you smiled knowing that he could trust in you to speak up like that. It warmed your heart seeing his smile light up his face and his attitude easing down which meant an easier practice for the next time. The memory placed a smile on your face while you studied, immediately stopping yourself realizing what you were doing in public.
Normally you would keep your head on a swivel only because you talked to so many people a day there would be chances of folk coming up to you and you don't who the hell they are, yet you smile and nod to keep the peace.
How could you've notice a girl wearing all black combination of a hoodie and shorts pacing around the library like she was hunting someone. The rings on her fingers danced in the sunlight shimmering through the large windows and her feet were far from silent stomping hard on the ground as she walked. She had a friend with her wearing the same items of clothign following close behind her, inching closer to your area.
You lowered your head back down letting the music go back to what it was doing until a tap on your shoulder brought your attention to the two girls standing before you. One with her arms crossed and the other holding a phone with her fist balled up only so far due her nails getting in the way.
"Excuse me is this you?"
You removed the earpiece from your ear, leaning up closer to see the picture on her phone, the brightness at the lowest setting on purpose. It looked like those same pictures from that party and on the other side was a picture of you walking with Jabber from Gountess Hall together, laughing and him pushing you playfully from earlier this morning.
"No I don't think so-Diamond?" You head tiled to the side.
"Keep yo fucking voice down.." The girl in the back whisper yelled.
"Listen to me. Stay the fuck..away from Jabari."
"Diamond you got the wrong-"
"You heard what I said, he don't want you! He ate you out whatever cool you ain't the prize baby remember that. You ain't nothing special." Her lip snarled at you, leaning closer to your frame. "You say a word about this to the Pageant committee all I have to do is show them this.." She swiped her phone to show another angle from that night, your face in clear perfect frame, arms wrapped around Jabber's neck like you were about to kiss him. Your eyes twitched subtly leaning back to look up at both of the girls, cutting your eyes to the librarian stepping out of her post to go into the back.
"She real quiet now.."
"Real fucking quiet.."
"Did he tell you we fucked?"
Time wasn't fast enough to stop a heavy right hook to slide across your face knocking over your papers, your laptop budged on the table and your own arm from striking right back, the abrupt sounds of the table scrapping against the carpet.
"Oh shit!" An onlooker gasped.
"Who the- fuck you talking to?" Diamond grunted, trying to tangle her fingers into your hair hitting your back while her friend tagged in, thwarting punches to the back of your head.
Beads and bracelets shook together speeding up in the distance followed by the sounds of feet hitting the table and a swift relief of pressure on your head from your friend pulling the other girl off and slinging her to the side allowing you to get a good grip on Diamond's hoodie tagging her repeatedly in the face.
"Code 5 we got a fight in at Remlin Library.." The walkies went off, you were moving and swinging with full adrenaline coursing through your system saying every curse word you could think of. Her nails popped off scratching you on the face, her arm sneaking a few hits before you straddled on top on her, your body feeling light as a feather being drug away from the scene.
"Let me the fuck go!" You barked, kicking her over and over while the over securtiy guard pulled Diamond away. Your eyes blinked once then twice to regain your sense of control, looking over to see Yasmin kicking and screaming at the other girl.
"Don't let me catch you near him again! I warned you bitch!"
The library doors blown open the sounds of keys bouncing on her hip as Semiu walked towards all four of you, her expression not pleased to see anyone. She signaled the brooding security guard to let the girls go with a single hand wave.
"Not another word! Bring ya'll silly asses to Corvus! Now! Especially you Y/n.."
-
You sat still in the mahogany wooden chair, tapping your leg at 100 miles an hour while the three girls sitting beside you yelled at each other back and forth over who did what to who and how a get back was needed. Like that was the main priority. Diamond had a knot on the side of her skull, Kayla jammed her finger and Yasmin left the scuffle unscathed and you? A slice sat underneath your right cheek from Diamond's nails running across your face in failed attempts to hit you.
"Two baby ass hits! Who the fuck you feeling like?"
"BLAH BLAH LOOK AT YOUR FACE!"
"All you do is pull hair!"
Nobody ever sees the Dean of Campus University and that's the good thing about it you don't WANT to see Corvus unless he's congratulating you, awarding you or you're an exchange student coming from the Sphere Technical Institute.
Arkha walked inside of his office and the voices barking over each other ceased as his heel turned to sit at his desk. His gloves were a bright white like he just placed them on his fingers, the suit he worse was tailored to his liking and his locs were tied neatly into a sleek ponytail exposing the undercut and the gator all the students swore he didn't have. Even hi shoes were leather from a company you didn't dare to try and butcher the name. He smelled like money, his name felt like money.
"Thank you Semiu.."
"Have fun.." She scoffed, slamming the door shut.
"Ms Y/n this is a lovely surprise, Yasmin, Ms Kayla and Diamondโฆ"
"This is all her fault! Look at what she did to my face!"
"That's BULLSHIT! They're lying to-"
Arkha placed his hand out in the table instantly silencing the entire room.
"Let's try this one at a time, Yasmin you have the floor what is Ms Diamond here lying about?"
"Everything! I was heading towards the library to find my friend! To meet up for a study date because that's what students do in a library. THEY STUDY! I walk in, next thing i know these tei DICKHEADS were
"Language."
" beating the fuck out of.."
"Language."
"Fighting my friend so of course i jumped in!"
"That's what you wanna believe? I was advocating for the pageant with Kayla like i was supposed to be doing! Caring about the school! It's what my father pumped so much money into this building for!
"Nobody give a fuck about yo daddy!" You grumbled.
"Ladies! I thought we could have a conversation like civil grown adults! But this is ridiculous." Arkha boomed his light demeanor cutting off to set the tone.
"Everyone step out excited you Miss Y/n." Arkha instructed as Semiu opened the door right on schedule to watch the girls in the hallway. The door closed with a hard slam once more leaving alone with Dean and with your rampant thoughts thinking of every source of revenge the human race had to offer. Run her over? Push her off a cliff? Something to eradicate her entire existence. Everything happened i the blink of a second, you were still gathering your self together. You felt like if you moved even an inch you would explode, it burned like searing hot tar tin your insides. It's bad enough you were in tears and that bitch tried to use it against you to weaken your image.
"Y/n?"
"I'm sorry sir.."
"Just explain to me what happened, from what i gathered you were the target. What were you doing?"
"MINDING MY GODDAMN BUSINESS!" You spat."
"Language Miss L/N.."
"I'm sorry but Mr Corvus I didn't do a damn thing! I saw her walking around the library with Kayla like she had just finished beating somebody's ass! Questioning me about a NIGGA A BOY ARKHA! Asking me if i knew him and I DO! SHE FOUGHT ME ABOUT A BOY and had to have her friend JUMP me about a boy! So yes i defended myself and if you wanna expel me for that i'll pack my shit today!" You exploded, sitting back i the chair, your breath heavy to hold as your chest thumped. You were far from agitated, you were livid! Your face was busted up right before the pageant and now having to deal with the consequences of expulsion. The tears wouldn't stop, a few droplets fell past that barrier falling on your face as you wiped the hard, looking up to the man who had his head down showing a faint smile.
"I knew a case like this would makes it way to me, just didn't think it would be you in this sorta mess Y/n. " Arkha hummed.
"I'll give it to you just how i'm gonna give it to the other girls out there. I won't have to threaten you with expulsion if you can hold your head up high and make it through the pageant without having another incident. I've seen your record, your countless hours of community service and how your name spreads around this campus. The potential is endless and it's not on you, it's in you. So, do me a favor. Don't let me see you in this office again under these conditions or i'll be forced to remove you from the majorette team and from the campus itself. Do i make myself clear?" His words standing firm as his wide eyes opened to connect with yours. Maybe it was true what the rumors said about the man, he held some sort of power in a room when he talked and a sense of respect washed over even though you practically cussed him out.
Corvus understood the situation.
"We're good..thank you Mr Corvus."
"Take a trip to Alice to see if she can fix that as well-"
The heavy door creaked open followed by a soft knock coming from his assistant.
"Arkha.."
"Yes Semiu? Are they fighting out there?" Corvus stood up.
"No we just got the footage from the libraryโฆ It was Diamond."
-
Time was cutting it close to start while the boys of Jabber's chapter were scratched around the auditorium decorating the walls along with the girls of the other teams helping out and practicing their routines. LaNae was by Jabari pushing the side of his head from a heated conversation they had in the car that carried over.
"I'm getting sick of this empty ass treatment you've been giving me! What was that easy ass apology i got?"
"I'm not dealing with this shit right now LaNae." Jabber huffed, grabbing purple and gold streamers from off of the table to hand to one of the girls.
"Then when are you?"
"We not even together for you to be doing me like this. Go help out yo sisters and figure out which nigga taking you home after this." He spat, his voice quiet enough for her ears to hear alone.
"So if we not together.."
"Bye N/n.."
"Huh? Who the fuck is N/n? You don't even know which bitch you talking to!" Jabber's ears tuned out, a sharp beeeping sound in his ear fading in while she talked. He tried to play your words back to keep his composure but he had to be honest with himself, none of that shit worked out. He ended up walking away from the entire conversation , walking down the awkward hill of seats to make it up to the stage where the hop like a que sign hung crooked on the wall.
"Who the fuck is N/n? Your fucking name.." He thought turning up his face before he caught a glimpse of the work he thought he could trust his neos to do
"They can't be serious.." Jabber rolled his eyes, hopping on the stage to give it a fix. He looked to his left to see his bothers all huddle up like they were having a private meeting which intrigued and pissed the man off.
"What are ya'll looking at? That poster board should've been up.." Jabber asked, walking over to the huddled group.
"This crazy ass video August just sent me from the libraryโฆouuu shit! Girl in blue going crazy! Look look!" Mj shoved the phone into Jabber's face, some folks with their phones out waiting to be next to receive it.
The camera had a clear shot of the girl in black lunging forward grabbing a girl wearing a blue lounge set and her friend joining in, hitting the girl repeatedly.
"Here go my favorite part this girl came outta nowhere, jumped on the table then- BOOM!" MJ commented, before the video ended with the security guards pulling them off of each other. Before Jabber could look away out of annoyance The clip paused on a face he wasn't expecting to see.
"That's diamond?!" Jabber and Devin exclaimed.
"Yeah I ain't got word of who the girl in the blue in but she was thumping!"
Jabber took the phone from MJ's hand rewinding the video to get a better look at who Diamond and her friend was pounding on. The camera man had a crisp view on the girl in blue straddling on top of Diamond, he slowed the video down and the camera gets a shot of your face and the cut right underneath your eye sending an a rollorcoaster straight Jabber's lower stomach.
"Fuck." He swore, pushing the phone back in Mj's hand, walking away from the group.
"Yo Jay! Jabari!" Devin shouted, following his best friend scurrying out of the auditorium. "Nigga where you going?"
"That was Diamond!"
"I thought you ain't fuck with her weird ass no more!"
"She was fighting Y/N.."
"Oh shitt! I knew she looked familiar! Now i know why Onyan took off like that earlier." Devin breaths as he sped walked with his friend towards the campus office.
"What? Jabber paused, looking at the parking lot to see a very familiar license plate attached to an all black vehicle and you hugging up on Onyan. His chest went cold, his stomach turned inside out, he couldn't blame the mugginess of the heat for his difficult breathing, it was a natural reaction but a reaction to what? Seeing someone with their lover? Seeing you with him? The locced man felt a tsunami like wave of dรฉjร vu.
"He's been trying to get with Y/N since the season startedโฆ why were you rushing off..to help Diamond?"
"Nah..nah it's nothing. I had to rethink about what i was doing." Jabber sighed, turning back around to head back to the auditorium hearing car door slam while it zoomed by.
~
Cheers amplified inside of the auditorium as the building was jam packed filled with students family and friends desperate see who was had the strength to push through the trials of being a que wellโฆa baby pup if you wanted to be honest.
Everyone's teams were lined up with their position already in mind expect for Jabber's they were one woman short! You were no where to be found!
"LaNae..Talyen..Harmony- where's y/n?"
"She told me she was here!"
"You don't remember what happened?" LaNae whispered.
"There she is.." Jabber spoke under his breath, eyeing the back door of the auditorium. You were all dressed and ready to go with a bandaid sitting on your lower cheek from Alice scolding you for twenty minutes. Even the little pick me up Onyan tried to do with picking up your favorite drink and rubbing your toes didn't work like it usually did due to your body still locked in fight or flight. Your nerves were shot complaining about how you could've hit harder, it felt like a fight in your sleep and your punches weren't effective enough until the aftermath, your hands were on fire.
"You look good, don't even worry about it. It goes with the vibe.." Jabber reassured, quickly turning his head around as the announcer took his place on stage, the spotlight went on and the curtain raised as cheers erupted showing the crowd with signs and phone flashes.
"I don't know if-"
"Uh un don't give me that. You gon go out there and have fun you hear me? I got you.
"You got me?"
"I got you. We up next, so take your spot Ace." His canines prominent as he licked his lips. Something was off about today and not because of you tumbling in the library no, it was something different about Jabari and you weren't the only one to notice. He had his hair up in a half up half down style wearing a purple and gold tank top with some black shorts wearing his very familiar gold boots you kept day dreaming aboutโฆ Were you pissed off at him yelling at you? Of course yet your mind still trailed it's thoughts to the veins sticking out the side of his neck when he yelled, the way his brow furrowed when he was annoyed with what you had to say. You felt horrible zoning out on Onyan while he rubbed your feet, but what else could you think about?
"Don't let me catch you near him again!"
"..see you.."
"โฆgimme that shit..that's it pretty girl-"
"You think we could make it to the playoffs?"
Your mind came bcak to reality as the announcer screamed your group name through the mic meaning you had to get in your place. The crowed settled enough to where the music started and every racing thought ceased while you and your sisters ran the routine down perfect even adding a few things Jabber didn't instruct into the choreography like Taylen jumping into a split slinging her neck around like she owned the colors. The rest of the teams went on while you and the girls rushed back stage to collect yourselves and get a big congratulations from the rest of members of the chapter for doing a good job.
Now it was time to see who took home the huge trophy and which charity the money made at the event was going towards. All of the girls gathered up on stage while the announcer discussed the rules of the event. Which ever crowd got the most cheers would be declared the winner! Everyone stepped up as the man hovered his hand over each team pushing Devin's team and Jabber's to the front to settle the score once and for all.
When he called for Devin's team the crowd screamed, giving you a nervous jitter as the girls on his side cheered along as well, some of the people shouting names but when the announcer called our your team, stomps could be heard from Jabber and some of the girls stomping on stage to make more noise making the announcer silence the entire room by waving his hands around.
"Alright alright! I think we know the answer to this one. Give it up for Jabari's team-" He couldn't finish his sentence before the building crashed down with people screaming out cheers and laughter. Your girls surrounded you with a few other ques hopping around in the back before Jabber ran over to you wrapping his sculpted arms around your waist lifting you up slight while he hyped you up, patting your back just a little too hard when he propped you down on your feet.
"Now the proceeds will be going to the boys and girls home Jabber has been volunteering at and this 20,000 dollar check to go towards back to school programs for children who don't have school supplies, The Wonger Foundation ran by his mother!" The announcer's voice broke through the barrier as two men came up on stage with a check followed by a few photographers to capture the scene. They stopped right in front of you, Jabber and the rest of the group in the midst of the celebration. You held up the check along with him smiling wide with the bandaid on you face feeling like Nelly (in a good way). A few snaps later you were getting tired of holding the piece of cardboard up, so you looked away from the bright white flashes to glance at Jabber already staring at you.
"I didn't know you had your own charity.."
"It's not mines..yet..with this check I * am*one step closer, I appreciate the help.." Jabber soften, going in to give you another hug before a harsh tug to the back of your shirt pulled you away from his presence.
"We don't have time for a reunion I need to squeeze you into this dress!" Daija spat, yanking you backwards to rush into the backstage dressing room to cover that scar and get you ready for the Pageant while the ques did their job of celebrating and dismantling at the same time.
You emerged from the dressing room draped in your favorite color, your face in a natural beat done by Daija and your hair revamped from the que event after throwing your neck in every direction. The last thing you were missing were the shoes you had purposely bought for this event only, they went last seen in your dressing room until it had to be switched at the last minute meaning they could be anywhere backstage. You moved around various girls getting into positions and taking last minute photos with family members before being seated in the crowd.
You couldn't take a single picture due to you frantically tip toeing around.
"Aye Devin, you seen my shoes? Everybody started cleaning up to quick and-
"Hold that thought I gotchu you!" Devin shouted back scurried off into a mass of people. You kissed your teeth, peering down on a lower level to see if they were in a box or sitting on a chair.
"Y/N!" You heard your name being called across the stage, your lash covered eyes looked in the direction to see Jabari waving his hand over, he must've wanted a picture since he didn't bother to notice the shiny pair of heels glimmering behind him.His hand slowly lowered as you trotted your way over.
'Oh my..god.." Jabber's mind seemed to have stopped time himself. He had gotten used to seeing you in practice gear, hell that was the most he ever really saw you in. He knew you were a beautiful girl but it was something about the way that color radiated off your skin, the color purple always looked good on you but the way the backstage lights glimmered on the jewels encrusted on the material, the way it hugged your frame had Jabber digging his fingernails into his skin to stop the impromptu thoughts of thinking about what you could be hiding underneath everything.
Your hips switched beside him as he watched you pick up a pair of shiny heels immediately dropping the shoes to the floor to place them on your feet.
"Ohh no no wait I got it I got it." Jabber hurried, kneeling down on his knees to help you strap in one shoe, tapping your other leg to hold out your foot out so he could carefully slip it on, panning his vision upwards to watch the fabric split open into two. The slit of your dress exposed your freshly moisturized skin causing the pink eyed man to clear his throat as you laid the heel onto his leg, feeling his finger tips carefully seal the other strap to the shoe. The hardwood floor creaked once you placed your foot down to the ground, peering back up to Jabber who took his hand to carefully move a piece of hair out of thew way before it reached your lip gloss.
"There you go. You got it."
The whole world went silent.
Jabber's eyes bounced back and forth fighting with his mind to pick something to focus on, or something to say. Your body was all wrapped up in this soft material he couldn't keep his hands off of, your lips glossed up to the point he wanted to suck them off your face and you eyes being the death of him as you peered into his soul while everyone else's conversations in the background faded into white noise. That scar look nonexistent under the secret skills of Daija's work, though Jabber would've rather you shown it off even laughing at a horrible joke he made saying it would help for sympathy points.
Your heartbeat made your chest sound hollow, it could be heard in your skull in your chest, and softly forming between your thighs. He wrapped his arm around your neck, pulling out his phone to complete his wish of grabbing a few pictures with him before they called your name to line up, gaining a few touch up from Daija before the MC of the event started off.
Jabber went from the backstage door all the way to the front of the building to enter inside properly, easily skipping the line to find a good wall to lean on to watch the Pageant take place. For the most part some of it was boring to him watching each girl take her time walking across the stage, respecting how quiet the room got listening to each girl's name.
"Diamond Alize Monroe.." The lady announced. A few cheers sounded off in the room along with the usual clapping, he even threw his hands together for a lazy clap, crossing his arms for the next reveal of the names.
"Y/n "N/N" L/n."
Jabber's back lifted up. His eyes widened. "What she say?" His mind went off watching your name plaster up on the projection scren showcasing all of your achievements and what you were going to school for.
"N/n?" He repeated, looking over to Lanae standing beside Onyan holding hands then back towards you slowly waving to the crowd. His stomach churned while the rest of the names were being called, suddenly the room felt too crowded. His thoughts felt like he had a train horn attached to them the way they projected, Jabber pick himself off the wall to go into the lobby area of the auditorium where the concessions where held, throwing his hands up into his hair while he walked around letting his mind put bits and pieces together.
"This is n/n.."
"Go talk to her Jay, she's a little scared of yall.."
"I'm not affiliated.."
"J-Jabberrโฆpleaseโฆ"
Memory after memory surged through his skull like impact frames, every clip of that night still not developing into a clear picture, the man didn't believe in coincidences but can you and LaNae have the same nickname? He shook his head, catching a glimpse of a familiar red jacket walking down the hall with gifts in her hand.
"Liyah!"
Her head lifted up from the ecoded sound of her name as she made her way towards him, shoving a bag and some flowers into his hands
"Where were you?"
"On set! Plus I had to check back with the Pageant committee they talking about the votes still not in."
"They're supposed to be finalized tonight don't y'all have a protocol for stuff like that?"
'We're supposed to, what are you doing out here? The Talent portion bout to start." Liyah explained right before the announcer called out the Talent category just as he was about to open up his mouth to tell his dilemma.
"You know what spot Y/n is in?"
"Ninth I think?"
"Come with me.." Liyah spoke, her eyes tucked into her phone while her legs moved on her own.
"Will all of the contestants please come back to the stage?" The girls followed suit, stepping out into the burning hot spotlight while the announcer finished off their final notes before the winning card was delivered to the podium.
The Talent portion went by smoothly with you ended up doing a dance rountine like you had planned on, the music you chose was a song by Solange that related to what you had going on in your life. Your mother was in the crowd and you could tell by all of her paraphenalia and her being part of the few people recording your performance, after you went on you peeked to see all of the other talents that went on, someone played piano, another girl ended up doing a solo all things you had crossed out on your list.
It was only one pair of eyes you were yearning to notice in the crowd yet, he wasn't there. the blinding color of pink graced your mind while you performed, a plethora of things did. Would this be enough? Have I really gave it my all? By the time everyone had done their performance it was time to reveal who took the cake.
"And now, after the judges have seen what these beautiful girls have had to offer, the votes have been counted and the results are in."
Your breath felt stuck in your body as the woman fumbled to open up the card, part of you thought she was purposely trying to create tension in the atmosphere but with the bright lights and Diamond's horrible aura of energy standing right beside you turned your anxiety up to the max. She stood a few inches in front of you, like she had a premonition they were going to call her name in fact she kept looking off the side of the stage at someone giving her a hand signals, which you thought was one of her girls talking shit about something so you piad it no mind.
"Diamond Monroeโฆ" The woman's words died down as a member of the committee leaned their hand over to whisper something, handing over another envelope. She calmed the cheers of the auditorium already set on celebrating the winning queen, going back to the mic.
"There seems to be a mixup.." She went on, the crowd atmosphere changing as people made their reactions vocal. She opened the new envelope with the winner's name and a new message right above it. "Due to a recount and multiple verified sources, Y/N L/N has over 3,516 natural votes while Diamond Monroe has over 3,506 PAID votes, the rightful winner of Miss Canvas Town University is Y/n "N/N' L/n!"
The reigning queen waltz over to you before you could realize what was happening, your eyes watered not from shock but from pure dopamine coursing through your veins. You went in today with the mentality of being a good sport, no matter who won the crown you had your friends and the fun you had today was enough to cover the sadness but none of that mattered once the crown touched your scalp and the sash was thrown over your body. You couldn't help but to squeal just once while they handed you the giant bouquet of flowers.
Diamond stood off in the back, clapping. Her smile nonexistent as her hands continued to move. You looked out into the crowd spotting a few of your friends who could make it, looking to Liyah near the front row holding up a poster with one hand and her phone in the other to record your walk.
As the girls exited the stage so you could take your winning photos, a thumping sound of boots hitting the floor could be heard as Jabber climbed up on stage, holding the bag of gifts Liyah gave to him earlier.
"Oh excuse meโฆMy liege.." Jabber bowed before opening his arms up to give you a hug, but not a regular one. His arms engulfed you into his presence, swaying side to side while he congratulated you, swarming his nostrils with the scent he couldn't get out of his brain, it fed his delusions even more. His strong grip made it seem like he didn't want to let go and in your mind you didn't either yet he pulled back from the hug, adjusting the crown on your head as he handed you the bag, acting like he had the idea to get you something in the first place.
"Im throwing a little pool party after this, you down? Yo drink is on me.
"Is it a que party?" You chuckled
"Anywhere I go it's always a que party.." He snickered, licking his lips to stop himself from smiling too hard.
The tumultuous day was finally over. Once the curtains had fallen onto the stage it felt like a chapter closing on your life. No more 5 am workouts, no more rehearsals, in a melancholic way you started to miss it, even jabbers fucked up attitude. All of it was apart of the routine and now that you didn't have to deal with it anymore you felt a breath of relief and now you get to reap the benefits.
"Im so proud of you Y/nโฆreally. You deserved this win." A voice you weren't expecting to hear. It was Diamonds.
"Thank you."
"I hope I see you at Jabber's party and umโฆWatch yo fucking back." She leaned in, her voice darkening before she pulled back to showcase that fake ass white smile as she kissed the air beside your cheeks twice. You couldn't cause a scene here. Not now. Her heels clicked on the hardwood while she walked off bringing your celebration mood down to the depths of hell. It was an empty threat but with her secret out what did she really have to lose?
"There you are! I need my pictures." Liyah exclaimed, popping out of the side door of the stage, grabbing you by the wrist so you could take pictures with your family members. Your mother finally emerged from the crowd running her mouth about how all she saw was purple when she got in causing everyone to laugh and make connections to why you were always avoiding them.
Now the only thing you had left to do was get ready for tonight!
~
Song
When Jabber said he was throing a little party, you were thinking a kickback, a few of his brothers maybe some of your friends, some music a few folks in the pool. No.
Your car buckled underneath the uneven dirt road, keeping your hand steady on the steering wheel trying to park into the large grassy parking lot where it was filled, decorated like it was his personal garage. You, Liyah, Yasmin and Daija walked up to the giant Tuscan like home following a crowd of girls who seemed like they knew their way around the place.
The bikini set you had on was supposed to match, it was a custom bra and thong set, with a black silk wrap to go around your waist you had made a while ago but you lost the thong earlier in the semester and hadn't found it since that night. You pushed the embarrassing thought out of your mind, hoping that whoever found them didn't tie the piece of cloth to you.
"Liyah you didn't tell me he had money like this!" Yasmin exclaimed, her flip flops crackling against the pavement, the music growing louder as the four of yall walked towards the backward where there were people scattered all around the grass and around the two giant pools with a couple of people jumping in.
The charcoal smoke blew past you from the grills going fast and the seasonings from the fryer from somebody frying fish in the back, your stomach practically growled at you.
"And his mama is cool with all these people in her house?" You questioned, pushing the giant wooden gate to step inside, waving to a few folks you recognized. There Alphas, Zetas, Poodles every D9 member you could think of and your body couldn't help but to shiver from the deja vu.
"His mama sent the invite, older folks are in the house.." Liyah chuckled, seeing the panicked look on your face.
Almost everybody from the auditorium made a grand re-appearance at Jabber's little get together, even Onyan showed his face nodding you over to his group with his head. You dispersed from your girls as they made their way inside to grab a drink, granted you wanted to start the night off sober to see where it would take you.
"Hey wassup? I ain't see you at the Pageant, thought you was gon be front row like you said." You joked, waving to his football friends.
Liyah, Yasmin and Daija had one goal on their mind and that was to see what kinda drink Jabber had to offer running right into the man in purple swim shorts, black glasses on his face without a shirt on looking he just got out of the pool. He had a watter gun in one had a cup in the other while Devin came in running after spraying the girls in the process.
"Watch where you aiming that thing!" Liyah groaned
"Un unn where's your lil friend at? She ain't safe where Y/N?"
"Yeah where's Miss N/n.." Jabber looked to Liyah who's eyes lifted only for a second, her smile becoming more obnoxious by the second.
"Oh N/n? She's here she outside talking to On-yan.." Liyah said in a way, tilting her head while she walked past the locced man heading towards his in home bar waving to his mama mixing margaritas in the kitchen.
"Ohhh yeah he been talking about getting in thattt tonight.." Devin's voice slurred, getting sprayed in the face by Jabber and once again by MJ sniping him outside.
"I want one! I keep getting shot!" Yasmin scoffed, swatting at Daija uyusing her as a shield
"You gotta find em lil mama but until then- BAP" Mj laughed, spraying a long shot right into Yasmin's face, while Daija followed Liyah to get a drink.
Jabber walked outside sliding the screen door to get a good look at where you were or better yet where Onyankapon was but he found you a lot quicker due to him spotting the top you were wearing looking similar to a thong he just looked at not too long ago.
He saw your body swaying while you talked to the big man holding a beer, and his hand inching closer to your waist like he wanted to rest it there. Jabber couldn't have that. Not when he was this close to finding out the truth, why was he all up on you anyways? Friends don't do that. Standing so close to your figure, your perfect frame holding up those bikini strings tied up on your hips. His upper lip twitched before Devin came back up to Jabber still ogling at the stupid sight.
"YoโฆI think Diamond and them just pulled up. Like a car deep."
"For what?! Who brought her here?"
"I heard some folks talking bout a get back, they saying it's about 3-4 girls in that car looking for Y/n.."
Jabber's head turns towards Devin in a look of shock before looking back to Onyan walking you towards the kitchen assuming he was about to get you something to drink.
"You gotta get her up out of here.." Devins words were muted as the screen door opened, your wedged flip flops hitting the kitchen floor to step inside, looking up to Jabber's goofy smile and those dumb ass shades he was wearing in the house.
"Hey wassup Jay.." Onyan nodded.
"Wassup man, hey Miss CTU you want me to grab you a drink?"
"Nah I got it for her, what you want?"
"I'll get some..
"Tequila? Little bit of sprite and pineapple juice right I gotchu." Jabber blurted out with a laugh, going behind the bar to put out your favorite brand of tequila.
"How you remember that? I told you back at practice a while ago.." You chuckled, walking over to the bar. Onyan wasn't amused with Jabber's joke, he assumed you were a brown kinda girl since that all you drunk when you were around him yet he brushed it off, walking up behind you to watch Jabber make your drink.
"We gotta grab this and meet up with LaNae, she's waiting for me by my car.." Onyan spoke, finishing the rest of his beer, sitting the empty glass on the bar as Jabber finished up your drink in a cute glass, topping it off with a little umbrella to be corny. You ignored Onyan's 3rd attempt to try and get you back to his car, taking a sip of the drink before sitting on the comfy bar stool to let your feet rest. From nonstop hopping to walking around in 5 inch heels your feet felt like you were walking on molten hot lava with every step you took. Before you went anywhere you had to rest your feet, and asking for a foot massage mid party wasn't the answer.
"I can rub your feet in the car if you are tired.."
"I'll get up in a minute Onyan.." You huffed, sipping on your drink mentally ackwneging how sweet it was, masking the sharpness of the liquor. The big man stepped back from your frame, looking down to his phone letting out a noise of annoyance.
"Look man head to your car, get what you need and I'll keep her company. She'll be right here, don't keep LaNae waitingโฆShe don't like that.." Jabber spat, lifting up his glasses to get a good look at him, the air suddenly growing cold. You looked back to Onyan, straw in your mouth to see if he was going to say something but instead he walked off, eyeing him up and down before exiting out of the screen door.
"What was that all about?" You asked, peeping Jabber still staring at Onyan walking off to blend into the crowd.
"Nothing you need to be worried about, how it taste?"
"Like juice, it's really good." You smiled, watching him walk around the bar to join you on one of the empty stools.
"Is there a reason your man hovering on you like that?"
"That's the crazy thing, we don't go together! I don't know why he's acting like that.." You pondered, chuckling to yourself, reaching down to massage your ankle.
"Come on N/N I got a Jacuzzi upstairs, it'll help them feet.." Jabber offered, a sly smirk etching on his face, nodding his head towards the stairs.
"That wouldโฆ"
"N/n?" He repeated like a confirmation.
Your words paused themselves for a split second, your eyes shooting up to his as he got up off the stool holding out his hand to you.
"Im down with that Jabari.."
"Found you.."
We're almost there dolls! Chapter 4 is what y'all have been waiting on! I hope Y/n can think of a get back but she's got a bigger thing to worry about ;) there's no telling what could happen next week, there might be chance you could get it early... who knows! But as always I'll imagine with you in the next one...somebody from JJK just checked in not too long ago....
-MissHoneyBlue
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