2016: May 13th, Spring Semester

In Gen's saved Snapchat videos, she watches a video she recorded of her and Gee in the car. They sing along to Chasing Pavements by Adele. One thing about it, hood niggas aren't scared to admit they love Adele. The video makes her smile, but it fades because less than an hour later Gee was in handcuffs.

Despite what happened last weekend, Gen had to carry on like nothing. She literally had to come back to school on Sunday like Genesis wasn't arrested then wake up on Monday morning to take her first final. While he sat in a jail cell she spent half the week taking tests she wasn't even sure she passed. Yeah, she studied and knew the material, but her anxiety had her mind elsewhere.

Now it's Friday and she's getting ready for her sister Felicity's graduation ceremony. Putting on a pair of strappy Steve Madden heels, she stands up. She puts her purse over her body before leaving her room and locking up. Instead of taking the elevator down, she goes up deciding to stop by Gee's room.

She has no idea why her nerves are so bad. She has to build up the courage for her fist to come in contact with the wooden door sending four knocks to it. Every time her hand hits the hard door it echoes sounding very similar to her heart in her chest.

Her mind goes back to when her heart felt like it was beating out of her body and Gee's face was in between her legs...

With his arms wrapped around her thighs holding her in place, Gee looks her directly in the eyes as his tongue slowly circulates. His grip is soft yet firm causing her to melt into his hands and the Queen size bed. "Gee," she moans making his eyes glimmer with satisfaction. Most guys eat pussy like it's an obligation, but you can tell he enjoys it.

Running her hand over his head wearing a silk durag, she looks at the ceiling in a daze. All she can see is the flashes of vibrant colors from the tv that's reflecting Rick and Morty. Needing to clutch onto something her hand moves from the back of his head to the back of his tank top. While his tongue does tricks she grips it into a balled fist much like a mother yanking up a bad ass child.

He's lucky it's a regular wife beater he doesn't care about because it's definitely going to be stretched out in that area. All she could get out is the 'f' of whatever word she was going to say dragging in a hiss. "Fuck!" She finally moans out releasing the hold on his shirt.

Every time she heard and felt him moan against her it made her thighs quiver. Not being able to stay still her hands go from the bed to her thighs allowing Gee to interlock their fingers to keep her in place. He didn't care about her squirming as he continued to eat her messily. "I love it," he whispers before kissing it.

I'll have all your babies, she thinks.

And in that moment she realized why foreplay's so important. Shit, this has been two years of built up tension between them. Gen honestly didn't have that much sexual experience. Because her relationship with Noah was long distance she only saw him on holiday breaks. With Jody it was purely physical, but with no emotional connection the attraction could only go so far. Jody was the last person she had been with 6 months ago, so there's a lot of pressure that needs to be unloaded.

Pushing her legs further apart admiring her pussy, she sighs at the mesmerized look on his face as his fingers go in a circular motion. "So soft...so pretty...so fat," he coos before two of them slowly slip into her. Just from him calling it pretty he could see how much wetter it got.

"Gee," she puts her hand on his wrist feeling like her soul is about to be taken by only a middle and ring finger.

"Move," he orders bringing her back to earth doing what he says. There was something about his voice that always turned her on. It was soft yet gruff. It was deep and aggressive yet tender. The makings for her to to do anything he says.

Within a couple seconds she went from trying to push him away to rolling her hips matching his movements. When she tightens around his fingers, she would love to say she's overcome with a familiar feeling, but it's not unless it came from herself. His touch felt completely different from others.

"You want that pussy to cum? Cause I do." As the pace quickened the tighter his hold on one of her legs got and he pulled her closer to him. With his other hand being used to rub her clit it starts to feel like a little kid who's playing with the water running under a faucet. "Mm-hmm," he mutters.

The pressure builds up in her body and her legs shake until she reaches her limit. The orgasm hits her like a Mack Truck. Her current cursing was more so for herself that she stayed with a nigga who could never give her this before. With her arm draped over her eyes she lays there for a few seconds catching her breath. She could feel his hands softly rubbing up and down her thighs as her legs now lay flat on the bed.

"Okay!" she sighs loudly. You can tell she's coming to terms with this, while also building up courage. 'This is what we're doing,' she thinks to herself. It's like watching an artist jumping up and down and shaking their hands out before performing. 'I'm ready. Fuck my life up.'

"You aiight?" She can hear the humor in his voice as he just watches her calm down to a state of relaxation. Popping her eyes open she looks up as he hovers over her. Pulling him in by his tank top she kisses him. "I want that dick in me," she mumbles against him lips.

When he said he was going to break her down and put her back together again he meant it. This was only piece one to the puzzle, while she's feeling like a board with hundreds of pieces that take time and concentration.

Watching Gee go to his backpack that's on the floor to get a condom she wonders if he knew this was going to happen. She doesn't ask because she could care less. She has imagined this moment so many times over.

That nervousness comes back as he now positions her in the middle of the bed the way he wants her. With him kneeled in front of her, Gen takes in his size sending her heart thumping like her pussy. Just because it's big doesn't mean shit though. Jody taught her that. She wanted to say a little prayer to plead 'don't let his dick be wack', but she didn't want to get struck down where she lay. Not everyone knows what to do with what the lord blessed them with.

Removing the clip in her head, her hair sprawls across the bed as she lays flat. With a sheen of satisfaction all over her face and body Magenta looks like an angel straight out of heaven. The tv gave enough light in the dark room for them to be able to see one another.

Putting his hand to her chin he leans in deepening the kiss as their tongues moved against each other's. While wrapping one of her legs around his waist she can feel his dick rubbing against her folds teasingly.

It makes her moan into his mouth until he pulls away to ask, "You okay?"

She nods coyly. What's not to be okay about? But she's glad he doublechecked.  He wanted to make sure she wasn't going to change her mind. "I'm perfect."

"You look perfect," they both smile.

"I think I'm in love with you," she breaths out looking him directly in the eyes. She doesn't even have it in her yet. He can tell if she could've she would've caught her tongue before it slipped out.

"You think? You gotta know for sure, baby." He slowly eases into her making Magenta's mouth part. At that moment if she was unsure about what she said, Gee's going to make her believe it.

Her silence speaks volumes along with her facial expressions before her moans and whimpers fill the hotel room. Gen's long, nude acrylic nails run up and down his skin before wrapping her arms around his neck. He buries his head into the crook of her neck letting her feel every inch as he goes deeper.

Gee's stuck between wanting to make love to her and fuck the shit out of her. He settles on both. They have time. Letting a low rumble come from his throat he lets out, "Shit, G." Sliding in out of the girl he's literally been looking at since they were 18-year-old naïve, clueless freshman he knows what he's felt wasn't fake nor confusion.

With his mouth by her ear, Gen listens to his moans as he mumbles words that were sending her over the edge. She knew everything he said was genuine. She didn't want to roll her eyes listening to the lies men say while fucking like she has in the past.

Every part of her felt something when being with him leaving her feeling tortured. Her body had ascended to a higher plane, but her mind was going into overdrive. She was scared wondering what this will mean. What and how will it change them, their friendship, and even her?

But now isn't the time to overthink, so she let it go. "Oh my God," she drops her arms from around his neck to holding his uppers arms. Every time his hips would roll sending thrusts into her, she would dig her nails harder into them.

"Is this what you wanted?" He kisses her neck before moving to see all the faces she's making.

"I want all of it." She grabs ahold of the gold pendent around his neck wrapping her legs around him. He smiles thinking about what she asked him earlier. Guess she did want it dangling in her face. Giving him all the eye contact, Gen's holds an entrancing gaze whispering in disbelief, "My pussy's so wet."

"I'm not gonna stop until you cum on my dick."

Looking down between her shaky legs she enjoys every stroke until it feels like too much. Flinging her head back onto the pillow her legs unravel from his waist. She went from gripping the sheets to trying to reach out and grab anything like Velma when she loses her glasses.

When her hand lands on Gee's thigh trying to push him away his gravelly voice commands, "Uh uh, move!" Grabbing both of her arms he holds them above her head pinning them down.

"Genesis." Hearing his named moaned was the best he's heard it on a tongue. Holding her legs up he gives himself more room to go deeper. "No," she whines with a light chuckle knowing he's about to break her in half.

"Legs up. Hold em'." But she still does what she's told.

"I love you," she sweet talks him hoping he'll go easier on her. His strokes are deliberate and taunting.

"You love me?" She nods bashfully. Putting his hand under her chin his thumb brushes against her bottom lip as he goes slow. "I love you too. Taking the end of his thumb into her mouth she sucks on it until he speeds up sending her mouth flying open. Moving his hand from her chin, he wraps it around her throat gently choking her.

"I'm about to cum," she cries out when he releases his hold as if they're not staying in a hotel room. Once Gee puts her legs all the way back and digging her out she feels like she's on the brink of a life changing breakthrough.

"It seems today that all you see is violence in movies and sex on tv-" is all but a muffled distraction as her body heats up while the Family Guys theme song plays from the tv.

"I'm cumming," she whispers. Gee can feel her tightening around him making small grunts escape his lips while cursing under his breath. He's pounding so hard the mattress begins to slide off the bed frame and box spring.

"Shit," he curses noticing the sliding. Gen's in such a trance it takes her a second to realize. She grabs onto the mattress, so he stops for a second. With their foreheads pressed together they both laugh. "If we end up on the floor," she holds onto him.

"I got it." Instead of getting up to move the mattress back in place like a normal person, he strokes into her rigidly which in turn made the mattress move back in place. And like that he keeps going.

"Ooh, fuck. I want to kill you," she slaps her hand into his back.

"Why you wanna do that?"

For 30 minutes Magenta had been flipped and maneuvered all across the bed in several different positions she's not even sure where her senses end and begin anymore. At this point, she has transcended out of body with Gee sucking the soul out her pussy then putting it back in with dick.

Maybe she was starting to see why Amil was acting so territorial over a nigga who was never hers. She doesn't know if he fucked her like this, but it made her a little less mad about how fake the bitch was. She can also see why Estelle introduced him to her parents and almost forced him into a relationship. 'I'd be that way too.'

For the last ten, Magenta rode him like her life depended on it. Gee's phone was blowing up with notifications of birthday wishes since it hit midnight and certain friends wanted to tell him first. He could care less about that. This was already the best birthday. He didn't need any other gifts or wishes.

And that's why her feelings are all over the place...

She snaps out of it when the door swings open, but Gee doesn't stand behind it. It's his dorm mate who Magenta has never seen this entire year. "Can I help you?"

"Uh, I'm Genesis'... friend. Do you know if he's in by any chance?" She looks at the Pakistani boy.

"Who's Genesis?" He asks with confusion, so she points at his door.

"Oh, Gee." She forgets she's nearly the only person who knows his real name on campus. "I don't know, but you can check yourself."

He opens the door wider letting her in. She can see boxes in the common area showing his suite mate is probably packing up to move out for the summer. A lot of students already left as soon as they finished their last final on Wednesday. Gen hasn't moved out yet because she's taking summer classes until the end of July.

She knocks once again this time on his actual room door. She stands there waiting, but nothing. Looking at the time she shakes her head. She writes a message on his dry erase board attached to his door then spins around. "Thank you," she calls out letting his roommate know she's leaving so he can lock the door behind her.

While riding the elevator down she calls Choice. "Yeah?" He answers.

"I thought you said you bailed Gee out..."

"I did on Wednesday. I dropped him off and everything. Why?"

"I haven't heard from him. He hasn't called, texted, came by my dorm."

"He's probably figuring everything out. He missed his finals. Probably trying to make those up. He also has to go to hearings for school and sports. It's not just about a court case when you're an athlete at a D1 school. Give him time," he explains.

"Okay." She steps off the elevator. She wished he would at least give a simple reply to a text, but Choice is right.

"Where you at? We just got into the campus coming in from Dallas."

"I'm coming. I'm leaving my dorms now."

"You need me to pick you up? We're trying to find parking, but this bitch is packed. I'm not tryna walk ten miles or ride a bus just to get to the building where the ceremonies' being held. They need better parking 'round this bitch."

"I'm okay. I can walk." She was already starting down the street anyway. "The Coliseum isn't that far from my dorms. It's like 2 blocks away."

"Aiight, we'll wait on you outside before going in." At that they hang up.

Two blocks feels far when you're wearing heels. Walking up the steps to the coliseum she finds her big, loud family standing by entrance D. She's honestly surprised so much of her family showed up. It's not that they're not supportive, but Felicity isn't close to anyone like that. She doesn't have a favorite auntie or uncle. She doesn't have the cousin who she's super close with. The only person who she has a close bond to is their grandmother. It's no secret she's Evelyn's favorite grandchild.

It's a big deal to their family though. Felicity's going to be the first real college graduate. And by that they mean she actually went to a 4-year school straight out of high school with the full experience of living on campus. She didn't get pregnant at any point, take a break, or dropout. Not knocking anyone, but most of the people in their family went to technical or trade schools. And they most likely had to wait a couple years to save money or life changed their plans. It was nice to see one of them afford this opportunity and do it differently.

Magenta hugs multiple family members before standing next to Choice and Breon. "You're next, huh?" Choice squeezes her shoulder lightly.

"Two more years," she sighs thinking about how crazy that's going to be based off her first two.

"It'll be worth it. Shit, at least for me. I'm tired of paying for shit. You'll get you a nice, good job."

Gen chuckles when their mother, Tempest, approaches them. "Look who it is... How was Kentucky?" Magenta looks at Choice because she told him not to tell their mom she went. She's an adult, but you should tell a parent when you go out of state. Especially if it ends in an arrest or not making it home in one piece.

"I didn't die," Gen shrugs not knowing what else to say.

"Almost went to the clinker though. Don't do that again. I worry enough. Doesn't matter if y'all are grown now."

She's right. Gen appreciates that Gee spoke up. Magenta doesn't need a record or to be getting arrested. Her senior year it's required she do an internship just to graduate and they do a background check. If she would've got arrested she'd have to change her major, which would literally change the entire course of her future. It makes her wonder what could possibly happen to Gee's future, especially education wise.

"Where's Gee? I know he's still not in there," Tempest says frantically.

"I got him out. We needa go in to find a good spot," Choice says. They enter the Super Pit that's usually home to the basketball teams. Right now it has a stage and seats ready to host the College of Visual Arts and Design, College of Merchandising, and the School of Journalism.

They find a good spot where they can see the stage. Magenta's glad when it starts and they make it clear this isn't going to drag on. They don't even have a long commencement speech. They go fast as hell calling students' name. The only thing holding the ceremony up are Black fraternity and sorority members doing celebratory strolls and dances across the stage.

Seeing Felicity next in line the entire family gets prepared. The announcer effortlessly says, "Felicity De'Maria Artesia Thomas," sending her strutting across the stage in her six-inch heels.

They all scream loudly and Felicity wears a smile shaking hands. "Ghetto ass name," Choice claps and mumbles as they get quieter.

"That is not ghetto," Magenta nudges him.

"Mama got one of her middle names from our old apartment complexes... Artesia Village. Mutha fuckas used to shoot everyday 'round there. The roaches used to be our pets. Ghetto as hell!"

"We made it out the hood nah. She gotta degree!" Their cousin yells with a hand in the air. And that's a fact. Felicity's a Fashion Design graduate with a minor in merchandising. She also already has a job lined up.

After the graduation's over they go outside to find the graduate. When they find her they approach rowdily making Felicity smile. She holds onto her decorated cap so it doesn't blow away from the wind before hugging their mother first.

They spend the next 20 minutes taking group pictures. At some point Fade says, "I'll be back," after hanging up his phone already beginning to walk away. Gen sees Choice shake his head, but neither say anything.

It's obvious something's been going on between them. They've always been inseparable, but the more they do 'business' together, the further they drift apart. They have two different ways and ideas of doing things.

Plus, Choice has one foot out of selling drugs, while Fade is deep in the street shit. Choice doesn't have a criminal record like Fade. That's how he's able to work at the DFW airport and sell weed as a side hustle. Fade on the other hand is on probation with multiple felonies. He feels like this is the only thing he can do... It's the only thing he wants to do. It's what he knows. Choice has done everything since a preteen. Selling drugs, breaking into houses, stealing cars, cracking cards... He's tired.

"Congratulations!" Magenta hugs her older sister handing her a bouquet of pink roses.

"Thank you," they rock back and forth. Magenta still wouldn't say they're close. They're so used to living their own lives, it's hard to come together. Felicity gets so consumed with work, school, and whatever guy she's dating at the time you rarely see her. "I'm surprised you didn't bring Gee."

Hearing his name, Gen's heart skips a beat. It's been doing that all week. Quite frankly, she can't escape the man even with him not being around. She didn't realize they had become conjoined twins the way people associate one to the other.

"Why would I bring him? It's your graduation and you don't know him like that."

Felicity shrugs. "I just figured. It's no ticket entrance and you bring him everywhere. At least that's what I heard." She gives this weird smile putting her hand on Gen's shoulder. "If you want, you can bring him to my graduation party tonight."

She can only wonder what her mother told Felicity. That's the only reason her sister would say something like that. "Maybe."

Gen furrows her eyebrows seeing a familiar face approaching their group. "I know you lyin'," she wears a scowl at the man wearing a brown suit.

"Savino?" Felicity looks over her shoulder. Everyone gives him a glare knowing how he left Tempest high and dry.

"He has some nerve," Aunt Keitha's already reaching her purse for her pepper spray in case.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Gen asks.

Felicity looks down with a guilty look mumbling, "I sent him an invitation. I didn't think he'd actually come. I thought he'd send me a card and money in the mail. You can only get the gift money if you send the invitation."

"The nigga didn't even wanna help her with medical bills and you thought he'd send graduation money?" Gen looks at her like she's stupid.

"My bad," she shrugs.

Savino and their mother were already arguing about why he showed up. All of Tempest's sisters and cousins are right behind her looking like they want to jump him.

Aunt Treasure squares up shifting her feet. "I oughta- Ooh!" That little bit of her old self that was a stud in the streets came out because she looked like she's capable of going toe-to-toe with any man.

"How about you just give me my gift and go..." Felicity steps towards him. She awkwardly clears her throat prying the envelope from his grip. "Thanks. Your donation to my students loans is greatly appreciated."

"I came here to make amends and apologize," Savino pleads. "I'm sorry for how things left off. I was wrong. I want another chance."

All the women scoff and laugh at the same time. Savino looks around wishing he could talk to his estranged wife alone. Tempest wears a cold look. Everyone's waiting for her reaction. Magenta's praying she doesn't give in.

Tempest quietly steps forward and in an instant she's slapping Savino in the face. He holds his cheek nodding his head while it leaves a sting. "I deserve that."

Tempest smooths out the form-fitting Calvin Klein pencil dress on her body. It makes anyone question why he left her for someone younger in the first place when she has a body that girls in their twenties are buying now.

"What? You realized the grass isn't greener on that other side? Or that I'm not dying and I'm breast cancer free, so it's safe to come back? Or are those lawyer fees and the thought of having to give me half eatin' yo ass up? Whatever the reason, fuck you. We're done. I'll see you at the divorce settlement."

At that Tempest walks away with a sway in her hips as her heels click. "Nigga!" Aunt Treasure adds some spice to it. "We're gonna have fun having pool parties at yo house once she takes it."

Choice watches the scene quietly. As people disperse he steps towards Savino. "Let me holla at you." He puts his arm around his shoulder and they walk away.

"See you guys at the party," Felicity waves her hands and kicks one leg trying to make light of the situation. Gen knows for a fact her mother went to the car to cry despite the strong façade. This has been a hard time for Tempest.

Seeing Felicity hugged all up on the guy she's been dating since Christmas rather than checking on their mother, Gen shakes her head. They barely know this new boyfriend, but nobody likes him. Magenta decides to leave too since everyone else did.

Gee yawns exiting the Physics building starting down the sidewalk. The campus that would otherwise be dead is lively with people here for the graduation ceremonies. He spent all morning taking two of his finals and he has to take two more tomorrow. He's just glad his coach was able to talk his professors into letting him.

Making his way across campus, Gee feels like a free...er man. He's not completely off the hook seeing he's out on a bail that was barely over a thousand dollars. He's still grateful that Choice came and got him. He couldn't dare ask his parents. Not after all the lectures they gave him. He rather not tell them he got arrested at all, so he called Choice.

They couldn't prove he was going to sell the weed he had, so he was charged with possession of marijuana. Since it was a pound he's facing a state jail felony if found guilty. If he's lucky it could only be probation, a fine, or community service. If he's unlucky it could be up to two years in jail.

He doesn't have a court date for awhile, so until then Gee's free to go and has to stay out of trouble...

Getting back to his residence hall, he's expecting to go right in but there's an ambulance and fire truck parked on the curb. He furrows his eyebrows walking towards the crowd of gathered people standing by the building door.

"What's going on?" He daps Colby trying to take in the scene.

"They won't let us in. Something happened," Jux shrugs. Gee checks his watch because he needs to be getting changed for his meeting. Seeing a girl getting rolled out on a gurney he wonders what happened to her.

Once they drive off with her, they allow everyone into the building. Gee takes a shower and changes putting something presentable on. He saw Magenta's message on his door and makes a mental note to text her later.

Going down to the lobby he decides to stop at the front desk to ask the clerk, "Did anybody find out what happened to that girl?"

The R.A. sighs. "Overdosed. They're saying laced pills. Percs, I think. Folks just keep OD'ing from those pills. A shame."

His heart immediately sinks because he knows him and Keaton are the main ones who supply pills to be sold on campus. He thinks the worst, but also hopes those pills weren't connected to him.

"You good?" He's visibly bothered. Changing the topic like it was nothing she asks, "You staying here for summer?"

"Uh, yeah, I gotta go," Gee rushes out.

Gee's troubles aren't over because he has to deal with his coaches and the school after the arrest. Even though it didn't happen on campus he broke the university's code of conduct. Now he has to deal with the consequences through a disciplinary proceeding.

Today he has to sit before a university judicial board to answer for the alleged violation. He hasn't been convicted yet, but he's facing expulsion, suspension, or disciplinary probation. Punished twice, basically.

Gee sits in front of the board along with the Director of Athletics and the defense coordinator listening to them detail his offenses. When his coach tells them how he's going to be one of the best players starting next year, they listen a little more. They know that means dollar signs for the college.

"Based on the information we've been given, Genesis Wilson, will be placed on administrative suspension from all sports team activities pending further investigation. This includes practice privileges. Since this is a felony charge he may be subject to revocation or modification of his athletically-related financial aid if convicted. Until he's convicted, Wilson will also be subject to random drug tests. While we conduct further investigation, Wilson should avoid any other off-field incidents or he will be dismissed from the team permanently and face expulsion. Understood?"

"Understood," he nods and they dismiss everyone.

He walks out alongside his linebacker coach who came to watch. He stops walking and turns towards Gee. "I hope you can keep your head down until this is resolved. I told you to stay out of trouble. We have to start cracking down on off-field misconduct."

"If you crack down on me, you gonna do the same to other players y'all protect left and right? Niggas got rape accusations, domestic violence, robbing folks... You brush it all under the rug and it never sees the light of the day. Drugs are where the line is crossed?"

His coach narrows his eyes wondering where the attitude's coming from. "If this happened on campus, maybe I could've helped you more. You have a felony drug case over your head in country ass Henderson county. Most coaches would've cut you from the program and you'd be on the next plane to a JUCO no one fucking knows. Be thankful and get your act right."

He's right. They could've easily gave him the boot like Jarvis. He was expelled after they found out about his burglary ring towards the end of Fall semester.

How'd they find out? Fade did what him and Gee talked about. He sent some people to rob Jarvis. In the process Jarvis had guns pulled on him and was beat up pretty bad because well, he runs his mouth too fuckin' much. They were real Dallas street guys, not the college kids he was used to. Jarvis' stupid ass filed a police report basically telling on himself. How do you report a robbery and assault on stuff you stole first? Karma's a bitch in Gee's eyes.

"You think I don't see stuff like this all the time? We see some very gifted people in college. People 100x more intelligent and talented, but on top of school and sports they have to worry about food, housing, transportation, siblings, or taking care of parents. The sad reality it's who wants it the most in the end. Decide what you want... Workout this summer and come back focused. You got lucky with the timing since it's the end of a semester. By the time we come back for Fall, your suspension should be lifted."

He watches him walk away and Gee groans beginning to walk too. He makes it nearly all the way back to the residence hall. "Gee!" He hears making him look around. Seeing Choice in a car parked by the curb he walks over to him. "You good?"

Reaching into the car he daps him. "Yeah, I just got back from taking some of my finals and the board meeting."

"What's up?"

"I'm suspended from sports until they finish investigations. I'm surprised they didn't put me on academic probation too. But I should be able to pay you back for the bail by next week."

"Don't worry about it."

"Nah, I got you. I don't know. I was so fucking stupid bringing that shit back. If I lose my scholarship," he shakes his head showing his disappointment in himself.

"My thing is... Why did they pull you over? You weren't speeding or anything."

"They said the car was reported to be used in a crime."

"I know, but that doesn't make sense. We always use different cars and routes. It also wasn't like you went to a state then turned right back around. State troopers see that as more suspicious. You went to two states in a rental and you were gone for multiples days. Who reported it? I don't know," Choice shakes his head.

"Me either," Gee sighs. He looks around then says, "Incase you hear, some girl supposedly overdosed on pills in my dorm. Just wanted to let you know. I heard they've been investigating dealers lately, especially if the pills were laced or fake."

"Then we shouldn't have a problem, right?" Choice narrows his eyes. "I told Fade I'm only doin' this shit if it's legit."

"Yeah, we should be good," Gee responds faintly.

He can see Choice's jaw clench putting two and two together. "Fade left after the graduation out of nowhere. We came together and I haven't heard from this nigga in hours. I'm so over this shit."

"You think-"

"I don't know what I think, but I do know what I know... Soon I'ma be done with this shit. Once I reach my goal of how much money I want saved up. The worst thing you can do is be comfortable where you make money. Whether it's a regular 9 to 5 job or not. You can always get fired. They can always lose funding, positions, demand in a product. You get comfortable and go from one income to none. I'm not overstaying my welcome in this shit. I'm planning to be done soon."

"How am I gonna make money?"

"Gee, you just got arrested a few days ago. It's time to reflect on what you wanna do. I'll give you this piece of advice... Think for yourself or others will think for you without thinking of you. There's no future in this illegal bullshit." Choice turns the key in his ignition. "I'll get up wit ya. Until then call my sister. She's worried sick."

Gee steps back watching Choice's car drive off. He sighs to himself turning to head into the building.

After getting himself together, Gee finally makes his way to Magenta's room. After knocking she opens the door and he smiles at the happiness that visibly takes over her face. Before he even gets a foot in the door she's hugging him tightly. Gee didn't even realize how bad he needed the embrace until he lets out a relieved sigh. "You okay?" she rubs his back.

"Yeah," he answers while walking forward still in the hug. He reaches back to swing the door shut. When he finally looks down he chuckles at Gen's face. "Why you look like you're about to cry?"

"I was scared, nigga!"

He laughs making her wear a straight face that her distress is funny to him. "I'm good. I'm sorry I put you in that type of situation. You good though?" She nods and he compliments, "You look good." When she opened the door he could see she's wearing a black bodycon dress and she did her makeup. When he feels her hands sliding from his back he knows what she's about to do. "Don't."

She can't help but squeeze his butt before rushing into her room. With a shake of his head he follows sitting on her couch. While putting earrings in she says, "I gotta go to my sister's graduation party. I sent a text asking if you want to come."

"Naw, I'm exhausted. And I still have two more finals in the morning."

"How'd the other ones go?" she asks trying to put on her heels.

He watches her struggle to do the strap while standing. "We'll see. Come here." He chuckles at her limping in one heel to get to him. Gen puts her foot on the edge of the couch between his legs so he can do it. She lets him do the other and when he's done his hand glides up her calf. Gen softly smiles before planting both feet on the ground pulling the dress down. "You look so good."

Just him staring at her made Gen feel a way. "I honestly don't even want to go," she throws it out there. "But I could stay with you and help you study."

He chuckles under his breath. "You ain't tryna help me study." She lets his hands glide up her thighs to her ass then sides as his eyes dance around her body.

"Yes, I do," she bends down to peck his lips.

He pulls away and leans back staring at her for a second. "Are we going to talk about what happened in Louisville?"

"Why do we need to talk about it? It was what it was and it's not what it ain't." That quickly she gets back up from the couch fidgeting with stuff pretending to fix her hair.

"I don't know what the hell that means, so we're going to put this in plain English. I need your full attention though. Eye contact. Look at me and sit down," it comes out as a command. Magenta looks at him before sitting in the chair for her desk. "Thank you."

He thought long and hard about what his father said and he's right. Gee often found himself following Magenta's lead and going with the flow. He's usually not into taking risks. He'd rather hang back, wait, and see. Gee's slow and steady in all things, but it's time to figure this out.

"I have feelings for you and you know that. I'm also not going to chase you. No more games or the situationship where we're friends, but more than that. Either you want to be with me or you don't."

He looks at her waiting on a response. "I-I don't know."

"I had a feeling you'd say that. You know, I got enough shit in my life that's unknown and indecisive. My love life or a woman isn't going to be one of them. That's the least of my problems right now. Why can't this one thing be easy and simple?"

"Because it's complicated and you know it."

"You make it complicated."

"You scare me, Gee," she admits. "And I'm not just talking about how strong I feel for you. That's scary in itself because I've never felt this way. The drug selling..."

He knew that's what it is. "You act like you weren't selling weed too when we met."

"But I stopped."

"You don't get it," he runs his hand over his face already stressed by this conversation.

"I do and that's why it scares the hell out of me. All the men I looked to for protection and love... They got taken. My Dad, my uncles, Cortlen. Some days I'm waiting for the call to hear that Choice is in jail. Now I get that same feeling with you. I don't want that feeling with someone I'm in a relationship with. That's why I can't be with you."

That last sentence hits him like a ton of bricks. "Well, then I guess we're not meant to be right now," he states indicating he doesn't plan on stopping, but he still wants to be with her.

"If you end up in prison we won't ever be meant to be because you'll be behind bars."

"That's your problem. You want things when you want them and you want it your way on your terms. It doesn't work like that with me. Not when my feelings and heart are involved. I'm not a bad person. I'm not! I don't deserve that shit!"

"I never said you were a bad person, but tell me right now you're going to stop. That you getting arrested was a wake up call!"

"You know I can't say that, Magenta," he looks down.

"Why not?"

"That's like asking me to choose you over helping my family."

"I'm sorry, but that's not your responsibility or burden to carry. It may be selfish but it's just not. You're twenty. Your parents, your mother, can figure it out. It's not worth risking your future."

"Easy to say, huh? Do you tell Choice that? Cause it looks to me he carries the weight of your entire family on his back. Not just his parents, but three siblings. I only have me. Imagine what the fuck he goes through."

"That's not fair. Choice-"

"He what? Did he not throw away his chance at college and the NFL to help your family?"

"I'm here for a reason. I left Dallas and came to college to get away from that type of shit. As I'm sitting on that curb in handcuffs I'm thinking about how stupid I would be to throw away everything. For what? Because I'm ridin' with a nigga who has drugs in the car. Ain't enough love in the fuckin' world," she looks up at the ceiling.

Gee only looks at her because he doesn't even know what to say. There's a feeling of anger because he feels like she toys with his feelings. Picks him up and puts him down when she wants.

Gen takes the chance to go on a spiel, "Seeing my mother getting this divorce from my stepfather, I realized it doesn't matter... A man will leave you regardless. It doesn't matter if he's a drug dealer or a banker. A man will always disappoint you if you let 'em."

"You think I'll disappoint you? I wouldn't intentionally hurt you. I'm just tryna love you properly. I'm not these other niggas."

"You may not try to intentionally, but your actions and choices will... I also realized I would rather be left by the banker than the drug dealer. You get a divorce from the banker you may get a house, car, spousal support, alimony, you can even get half that nigga's pension. You get divorced from a locked up drug dealer and you're left with nothing. They take all the illegal money... The man. A drug dealer is still a drug dealer. And I know this shit ain't meant for us. These scholarships don't give our families financial freedom. I don't judge you on that aspect. I couldn't ask you to choose maybe being with me over making money and helping yourself."

"But when you buy me $100 bouquets, my favorite candy, a real gold necklace, or Jordan's on my birthday, I smile for a short second. Then I think about you driving on a highway with pounds of weed or selling pills to get that money. I think about how happy you could make me and I'm not just talking about material items. But I also think about the nights you come to my dorm saying you got shot at, the fights, the anger... I also think about the worry and sadness I often feel when thinking about you."

Hearing how shaky her voice is it feels like his heart is slowly being shattered. "I think about the times me, my mother, or my sister cried many tears over my father, Cortlen, and even Choice. I don't want that for my life ever again, especially not my future. I have to choose that over feelings. Feelings are temporary, but my future isn't. If you value yours and what you're doing here in college, you will too."

"I love you. That's what matters, right? We love each other." Gen can hear the sadness in his voice and she feels bad. She had been thinking on this for months now and it's obvious by her tear filled eyes.

She quickly grabs a tissue not wanting to mess up the makeup she spent so much time on. It always felt like Gee was the only person who could have her crying at the drop of a dime. "You love me how you know how and I don't know if that's not enough for me. If you loved me like you say you do..."

It's quiet for a moment as he thinks. He nods his head up and down licking over his teeth. "You're right. We should remain friends. I think we need to fall back."

"Fall back?"

"Space. Distance," he holds up his hand. "We spend everyday together. It's overwhelming. The semester's over and it's summer now..."

They both share the same saddened look. "Fine, whatever you want. I respect your wishes," she emphasizes respect recalling their previous conversations.

He stands up saying, "I'm sorry I can't be the person you need right now. I'm sorry I don't have more to offer you. I'll see you when I see you." He leans down placing his lips to her forehead. He lingers before backing up and leaving.

As soon as he gets back to his dorm room he slams his door behind him. Gee paces the room back and forth before punching the wall. He takes in and releases deep breaths to calm himself back down. There's just too much going on...

__________

I decided not to leave y'all hanging on the sex scene lol.

Where do you think Gee & Gen will go from here? Will the break from each other do them good?

Gee's legal troubles? Will he stop selling drugs?

Thoughts on what might happen their Junior year? Heads up, there's only a few chapters left in the college half of the story then we're going to present day. Something's gotta happen👀

Comment / Vote💫