Tyriq groaned as sunlight crept through the blinds, hitting him square in the face. His head throbbed like a bass drum, and his throat felt like sandpaper. “Man…” he muttered, rubbing his temples.
Then a soft voice cut through the quiet.
“Good morning.”
He blinked, turning toward the sound. Aliyah was sitting at the edge of the bed, legs tucked underneath her, wearing one of his old Alpha Phi Alpha shirts — faded, but unmistakably his. Her curls were pulled up in a messy puff, and there was a calm, teasing smile on her face.
He squinted. “Wait… you here?”
Aliyah nodded, holding up a bottle of water and some pain relievers. “Yeah. Malik dropped you off last night, and I stayed to make sure you didn’t roll off the couch.”
Tyriq sat up slowly, wincing as the movement made his head pound. “I ain’t do nothin’ stupid, did I?”
She laughed softly. “No. You were just loud. And you kept talking about how you ‘run the yard.’”
He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Ain’t no way I said that.”
“Oh, you said that three times,” she said, smirking. “But at least you didn’t start steppin’ in the kitchen again.”
“Again?” he asked, side-eyeing her.
She laughed, handing him the water. “Drink. You’re dehydrated and dramatic.”
He took a few sips, then looked at her for a long moment — quiet now, just studying her. “You really stayed the whole night?”
Aliyah shrugged lightly. “Yeah. Somebody had to make sure you made it to see senior brunch.”
He smiled faintly, his voice low. “You always takin’ care of me.”
Her expression softened. “Somebody’s gotta make sure you don’t forget how far you’ve come.”
Tyriq leaned back against the headboard, still groggy but smiling now. “Guess I owe you breakfast, huh?”
Aliyah smirked. “Guess you do.”
-
Tyriq gave her a sleepy grin, but before he could get a word out, Aliyah arched a brow and said, “You look rough, Ty. Like, real rough.”
He groaned and rubbed his face. “Man, don’t do me like that this early.”
She laughed and leaned against the dresser, crossing her arms. “I’m serious. You’re not getting any type of affection until you drink that water, eat something, and maybe shower off all that homecoming.”
He looked up at her, feigning offense. “No love? That’s crazy.”
Aliyah smirked, holding back a laugh. “Love? Oh, you’ll get love — once you stop smelling like a frat house and regret.”
Tyriq chuckled, wincing at his own headache. “Wow. So that’s how you talk to your man the morning after homecoming?”
“That’s how I talk to my man every morning after he forgets his limits,” she shot back, tossing him a clean towel from his dresser. “Go ahead, Mr. Senior. Prove you can handle your hangover.”
He caught the towel, shaking his head with a grin. “You lucky you fine, girl.”
Aliyah smiled, her tone softening. “Yeah, yeah. Just hurry up before brunch. I got plans for us today — and you’re not gonna want to miss them.”
Tyriq looked at her curiously. “Plans, huh?”
“You’ll see,” she said, smiling as she headed toward the kitchen. “Now move before I start without you.”
-
The morning, the air was warm but comfortable, the sun cutting through the tall oaks on campus. Students in shades of red and green still roamed the Yard, lingering from the night before, and the distant beat of music from the afterparty mixed with the chatter of the brunch crowd.
Tyriq and Aliyah had grabbed a table outside a popular local spot. Aliyah had ordered her favorite: grits, eggs, and a side of fruit. Tyriq had a huge plate of pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs — enough to fuel a football game.
But the food barely mattered — Tyriq had his arm casually draped over the back of Aliyah’s chair, leaning close enough that their shoulders brushed. Every time she reached for something on the table, he’d subtly shift closer, just enough to make her laugh or roll her eyes.
“You really all about that PDA today, huh?” Aliyah teased, nudging him gently with her elbow.
“All about showing you off,” Tyriq said with a grin, leaning down just slightly so his lips brushed her temple. “Homecoming weekend. Senior year. I’m not hiding my girl.”
Aliyah smiled, shaking her head but clearly enjoying it. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe,” he said, smirking. “But you love it.”
She laughed softly. “Maybe a little.”
The two of them chatted easily, talking about the previous night, teasing each other over how Tyriq had nearly tripped during the step show, and laughing at memories of the music and dancing. Every so often, his hand would brush hers across the table, and she wouldn’t pull away — even letting him sneak a small squeeze when she laughed too hard at one of his jokes.
Other students glanced their way, some smirking knowingly at the obvious closeness, but Tyriq didn’t care. He leaned in again, whispering in her ear with a grin,
“You ready for the rest of this weekend?”
Aliyah met his eyes, smiling softly. “With you? Always.”
He grinned, pulling her just a little closer, enjoying the warmth of her presence in the bright morning sun. Around them, the brunch crowd buzzed with life, but for a moment, it was just the two of them — laughing, teasing, and unapologetically together.
- Monday morning hit the campus like a reality check. The Yard was quiet, the tents and stages from Homecoming gone, trash bins emptied, and the smell of fried food from the weekend finally faded. Only a few students lingered, nursing coffee and trying to shake off the late-night celebrations.
Tyriq and Aliyah walked side by side across the quad, backpacks slung over their shoulders. The energy of the weekend was gone, replaced by the hum of students heading to their first classes. Even though it was Monday, there was a subtle glow on both of their faces — the kind that comes from having shared something special the past few days.
“I can’t believe it’s over,” Aliyah said softly, glancing at him. “The Yard looks… normal again.”
Aliyah nudged him with her shoulder. “You wish you were back at the parties.”
“Maybe,” he said, grinning. “But I’ll take this too — just me and you walking to class, no chaos, no loud music.”
She smiled, letting her hand brush against his as they walked. It was subtle, casual, but intentional. Tyriq caught her hand and gave it a small squeeze, just enough to make her grin.
“Still showing off, huh?” she teased.
“Always,” he said, leaning closer so his shoulder bumped hers. “You like it.”
They laughed softly, the campus quiet around them now, as they approached the building for their first class. Even in the return to normalcy, their energy from Homecoming lingered — the teasing, the warmth, the little touches — keeping the spark alive as they slipped back into the rhythm of senior-year life.
- Tyriq had managed to snag a quiet spot in one of the sunlit courtyards — a bench tucked behind a row of live oaks, the breeze rustling the leaves above. He leaned back, backpack on the ground, just letting himself breathe for a few minutes between classes. For a moment, it felt like he had the whole campus to himself.
He was scrolling through his phone when a familiar shout pierced the calm.
“Aye, Ty!”
He looked up to see three of his Alpha Phi Alpha brothers jogging toward him, grins wide. Malik was leading the pack, hands on his hips like he hadn’t run in ten years, but the energy was unmistakably frat.
“You hiding out already?” Malik teased as they reached the bench. “We just finished lunch, and here you are, acting like a senior ghost.”
Tyriq laughed, shaking his head. “Nah, I’m just… chillin’. Enjoying the calm before the storm of finals and graduation prep.”
“Chillin’?” one of the other brothers laughed, plopping down on the bench beside him. “You mean you tryna recover from Homecoming still. Don’t act like you weren’t out there wildin’.”
Tyriq smirked, leaning back. “I may have celebrated a little too hard. But I earned it. Senior year, remember?”
Malik shook his head with a grin. “Man, we still got next weekend. You ain’t off the hook yet. And you definitely owe Aliyah a proper showing off. You been all soft since Sunday.”
Tyriq raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Soft? Nah. I’m strategic. Can’t let all my energy show at once. Gotta pace myself.”
One of his brothers snorted. “Strategic? Bruh, we saw you at brunch. PDA central. You were basically glued to that girl.”
Tyriq laughed, his grin wide. “Guilty. Can’t help it. She’s my girl.”
Malik clapped him on the shoulder. “Aight, alright. But don’t get too comfy here. Class is in twenty. Let’s roll.”
Tyriq groaned dramatically, stuffing his phone into his pocket. “Fine, fine. But one day, I’m sitting here without anyone finding me.”
The brothers laughed, heading toward the next building, leaving Tyriq with that satisfied smile of a guy who’d survived Homecoming, spent the weekend with his girl, and now had a few hours to recharge before diving back into the chaos of senior year.
FAMU’s first ever female Head Drum Major is a Delta woman Now!!! 🔺🐘
Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede is a senior Theatre major at Florida A&M University, originally from Decatur, Georgia, with Nigerian-American roots. In June 2025, she became the first female head drum major of FAMU’s Marching 100. Her selection was based on her leadership and discipline, and she hopes to leave a legacy of excellence. Her journey reflects how culture, hard work, and passion can break barriers. Now she is a proud member of the Beta Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Jordyn, seeking peace by the water after escaping her manipulative ex, Adonis, finds unexpected comfort and respect from Joshua. When Adonis ambushes their "friendly" coffee date, threatening Jordyn's scholarship, Joshua defends her with a powerful financial ultimatum, shutting Adonis down immediately. The night ends with a shocking accidental kiss on the porch, a brief but potent moment witnessed by her roommates. The clumsy contact shatters Jordyn's resolve to stay "just friends," forcing her to confront the fact that she's finally ready to leave the past behind and step toward the future with Joshua.
Warnings → slow burn, angst, eventual romance, eventual smut, original characters, almost sexual assault, tags to be added
✍️ A Note From the Author 💖
Hey guys! 👋 Thanks once again for interacting with my writing, especially this story. This one means a lot! I've never written this much for a single project, and I truly hope you are all still into it. I promise, I will get to the smut soon—and don't worry, the drama won't last forever! 😉 Stay tuned!
There is something profoundly peaceful about watching water as it ripples. She watched, mesmerizing, seeing how each circle grew larger and larger until the movement finally ended. Life is like that. Every choice, every action, creates a ripple in our world—sometimes good, sometimes devastating. Jordyn always found sanctuary in the water; it provided a quiet, blue space for her to clear the exhausting clutter from her mind. Lake Ella became her haven the moment she arrived at FAMU.
When life seemed to be throwing every imaginable curveball, she would sneak away to the lake. On busy days, she watched the local families and the students, inventing elaborate backstories for them. On days like today, when the lake was practically empty, she was able to sit alone with her most critical thoughts—a necessity right now.
She came to FAMU wanting a new beginning, a space away from the suffocating pressure of her immigrant parents. They had left their native land, sacrificing everything in search of a better life. While she was fiercely grateful, it didn't lessen the pressure of growing up. It was exhausting to navigate a world where she constantly felt like an outsider back home. Speaking Spanish marked her as different; her curls helped her blend with the crowd, but never fully. She carried the crushing burden of never being "enough."
Her decision to come to FAMU, a Historically Black University, was initially about the country's top nursing school. Her freshman year had been a revelation: a time of profound self-discovery, where she gained a deep understanding of her Afro-Latina identity and a new appreciation for the complex woman she was becoming.
Then, during her sophomore year, she met Adonis.
Meeting Adonis was an unexpected collision, a thrilling bonus to her calculated life plan. She saw him across the quad at a Student Union mixer—magnetic, already a campus legend, surrounded by a court of admirers. When he walked over, bypassing the louder girls, and focused entirely on her, the quiet student hunched over a laptop in the corner, it felt like fate. He saw past the pressure and the books, appreciating the academics who could also navigate the social part of college. She wasn't the token "Spanish" girl to him; she was just a girl he was interested in. That’s how it started, a perfect, dazzling beginning. Then, slowly, his true colors began to show. For years, she had existed only to tend to Adonis, drowning her own needs beneath the weight of his demands. Her light was not allowed to shine brighter than his; her job was simply to sit back and be a pretty face on his arm.
She should have left the first time she found out he cheated. She knew her worth and expected respect, but his words were a weapon—smooth, persuasive, and always cutting through her resolve like a hot knife through butter. Slowly, dangerously, his manipulations worked. She hadn't just lost her worth; she had utterly lost the outline of herself, fading into the blinding, destructive glare of his light.
She couldn't remember the exact moment the blinders fell off, the point when she realized she had diminished herself to the point of not being recognizable. But she did know that at her lowest, even through all the initial hatred, Joshua seemed to offer a profound sense of peace she hadn't realized was possible.
Last night, she felt no pressure, no expectations, and no judgment. She felt a singular calmness in his arms; the tumultuous thoughts swirling in her head simply disappeared as his arms wrapped around her. Even now, watching the lake, she could still feel his warmth. She touched her lips, her mind flashing back to the kiss they shared, a potent tingle coming over her. He tasted of chocolate and whiskey, and a genuine smile broke through her lips as she thought about how her body reacted to him—and how, in that intense moment, she had needed his presence more than his passion. It was funny how so much hate between them had slowly melted away.
And while the thought of being with Joshua brought her a thrilling excitement, she knew she needed time to heal the profound wounds that Adonis had inflicted. She had to talk to Joshua, to explain that she needed space, worried that she might transfer the toxic baggage of Adonis onto the one person offering her genuine kindness. She had to take the time to clean the slate. This realization—this promise to herself—was the final ripple settling.
After what seemed like hours of looking at the water, Jordyn had finally reached the end of her ripples. She was ready to close the chapter of what was her and Adonis and look forward to the chapter where she became the woman she knew she could be. She gathered her worn notebook and pen and started the short walk back home to her house.
When she reached the bottom of the steps leading up to her porch she stopped dead.
Joshua was there.
He wasn’t leaning against the railing with aggressive swagger, and he wasn’t pacing with impatient energy. He was simply sitting on the top step, his knees drawn up, looking toward the street. He heard her approach and rose slowly, his expression serious but gentle.
“Hey,” he said quietly, moving to give her space.
“Hey. How long have you been here?” Jordyn asked, feeling the warmth she’d remembered from the night before rush back to her cheeks. She held his gaze, determined to start this conversation with honesty.
“Not long. I just… I couldn’t call, and I didn’t want to text. I came back to apologize for being an idiot and for rushing you,” he confessed, running a hand through his closely cropped hair. “I jumped a dozen steps, and I was wrong. I know you’re going through a lot, and that guy—Adonis—he’s clearly messed with your head in ways I can only guess at.”
He took a deep breath, meeting her eyes. “I just needed you to know that I understand. No pressure. I’m not here to rush anything, and I’m definitely not here to replace anything. I truly value you, Jordyn. The way you think, the way you work, the way you light up when you talk about nursing. That’s enough for me.”
A genuine, grateful smile finally broke through Jordyn’s reserve. He wasn't demanding; he was offering patience and respect.
“Thank you, Josh. I… I really needed time to think this through. And I do need time to heal, but…”
“Say no more,” he interrupted, holding up his hands in surrender. “I hear you. Healing time. Smart. So, here’s my proposal. Forget last night happened. Forget the drama. Let’s reset.” He gave her a slight, hopeful grin. “How about we go grab some dinner later? Somewhere neutral. Just two people hanging out as… friends? Maybe you can tell me more about your parents and how you ended up picking FAMU.”
Relief washed over her. This felt easy. This felt safe.
“I’d really like that, Josh,” she said. “Dinner with a friend sounds perfect.”
He smiled, a wide, genuine expression that reached his eyes and made her heart flutter despite her resolve to take things slow. “Great. I’ll come back and grab you at six, friend.”
As Joshua walked away and slid into the driver's seat of a black sedan, Jordyn watched him go, feeling a deep, solid joy settle in her stomach. She hadn't lost him. She had gained a safe space.
Hidden behind the dense, overgrown hedges at the corner of the property, Adonis had been waiting. He drove directly to her house hours ago, convinced she would eventually return and he could execute his carefully crafted manipulation to get her back. He had intended to be the one waiting on the steps, the picture of penitent concern. But she hadn't come alone. He listened to the entire conversation, his anger boiling as he heard Joshua offering patience and respect.
He saw the shift in Jordyn’s posture, the genuine, unguarded smile she gave Joshua, a smile she hadn't given Adonis in months. When she accepted the invitation and watched Joshua leave, her happiness was palpable, undeniable, and it was not for him.
“A friend?” Adonis muttered, gripping his phone so hard his knuckles turned white. He could barely contain the urge to leap out of the bushes. “He thinks he can play the white knight and take what’s mine as a friend?”
He slammed his fist against the brick wall of the house, the low thud absorbed by the thick foliage. He pulled up a contact, his eyes narrowed as he typed a frantic message to one of his lackeys, his mind already racing, calculating. He had a reputation, an image, and a career to protect. He was not going to be publicly humiliated by some upstart scrub and the girl he considered his property.
“Where are they going? Find out. I need to be there.”
The friendship dinner would not happen. Not if he had anything to say about it. This was no longer about winning her back; it was about destroying the easy peace she had found with someone else.
Pumpkin spice season was starting to make its appearance. The leaves were slowly changing, the bright greens slowly fading to yellows, browns, and orange. While the weather was starting to slowly drop, the boots and sweaters swept the town.
Joshua pulled up to the house, his heart pounding out of his chest. He knew this was just a night out with a friend, but something felt different. He wasn’t sure if it was the nervousness or if something was telling him that tonight was going to be a bust. He got out of the car, walking towards the door, a cold gust of wind pushing through him like a warning. He breathed out before lifting his hand to knock on the door, but the door opened before his fist even met the wood.
“Well hello there… Joshua…” Trinity says, a smirk on her lips, the humor seeping through her body.
“Hey Trinity…” Josh says, trying to mask his nervousness. “Is Jordyn ready?”
“Babe, he is already nervous, don’t make it worse,” Jonathan comes up behind Trinity, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Surprise was clear on his brother’s face; Joshua hadn't known when this happened, but to see him so comfortable around Trinity brought him happiness.
“Ok fine, I wanted to make him sweat a little,” she responds, looking up at Jonathan and giving Joshua space to come in.
Jordyn was standing on the stairs, her hair pulled back into a high messy bun, flicks of curls framing her face. The oversized green knitted sweater and black leggings with combat boots couldn't hide the curves of her hips, but there was something so innocent about how she looked tonight. Something that made Joshua just want to keep her inside and maybe watch a movie rather than being outside surrounded by others.
“Hey Joshua, I just need to grab my purse.” Her voice was a calm mask of the nervousness she was fighting with.
“I thought they were going out as friends,” Trinity’s question breaks through the comfortable silence that stood between them. A small smile framed both Jordyn and Joshua’s face.
Jordyn took the final step off the staircase, the combat boots hitting the wood floor with a soft thud. She walked past the couple, grabbing her small black cross-body purse from the hall table, her back to them. “We are,” she said simply, but the smile was still playing on her lips. “But friends still need to be properly chaperoned, I suppose.”
Jonathan clapped Joshua on the shoulder. “Alright, my man. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Which, in my case, means, don’t mess it up.”
“Oh, and Joshua,” Trinity piped up, leaning against Jonathan with a knowing look. “Friends usually call ahead when the guy is going to spend the night on the couch, right? Just checking on the friendship rules.”
The color rose immediately in Jordyn’s cheeks, and Joshua cleared his throat, pushing a hand through his hair. “We’re just grabbing coffee, Trinity. And talking. Nothing complicated.”
Jordyn gently guided him toward the door. “We should probably get going before they decide to give us a full interrogation.” She paused right at the threshold, turning back to the pair. “Be home before midnight, you two.”
“No promises!” Jonathan and Trinity called out in unison, laughing.
Joshua held the door for Jordyn, and they stepped back out into the cool evening air. The wind, which had felt like a warning just minutes ago, now felt like a gentle push forward.
The deep, guttural rumble of Joshua Fatu’s black SRT Hellcat didn't just arrive; it shook the loose asphalt of Railroad Ave as he smoothly pulled into the gritty, dimly lit parking lot of The All Saints Cafe. The conversations continued, quiet and close, as they walked toward the heavy wooden door, the cold, old concrete of the sidewalk rough beneath Jordyn’s boots. Joshua’s hand was a warm presence, subtly guiding her to the inside of the pavement, a small, protective gesture.
He held the door open for her. Inside, the All Saints Cafe was a haven—the air hung thick and warm with the aroma of burnt sugar, dark roast coffee, and old books. Low-slung, incandescent lamps cast soft, amber pools of light over the faded velvet couches and exposed brick. The "bohemian atmosphere" was punctuated by the low hum of bass-heavy soul music, a melancholic current that smoothed the edges of the room.
While Joshua ordered their drinks—the caramel cappuccino for her, promising the sweet scent of dessert, and a plain iced coffee for himself, plus two chocolate brownies—Jordyn found a small loveseat tucked into the quietest corner. She sank into the worn, deep-blue corduroy, pulling her legs up for comfort.
Joshua delivered her steaming cup, the heat radiating immediately, and settled opposite her. “So, your parents are from the Dominican Republic and you were born in New York. Why did you guys move down to Florida?” he asked, taking a long sip of his cold drink.
Jordyn turned her body inward, one leg folded, the other draped over her ankle. “Um.. Dad had an accident while fixing a car…” She paused, taking a sip of the cappuccino. The sweet, creamy caramel was a welcome internal warmth. “He had to get a metal plate, and in New York, when it would get cold, the plate would cause him major, crippling headaches.” Joshua watched as she spoke, the dedication to her family radiating from her like heat. “So…mom suggested we move down to Miami.” She felt utterly transparent with Josh. The words just spilled out like unwatched honey, no hesitation to be vulnerable. “We have talked the whole ride about me, though. I already know about your brothers and the thirty-eight cousins.”
They both released a warm chuckle. “Yea, there are a lot of us.” Josh leaned back, his own mood lightened. “But you know what I've been thinking about? Why do you hide your art?” Jordyn asked, her gaze innocent and direct.
“It's the only time I get a sense of peace,” he answered quietly.
Jordyn interrupted, suspicion on her face. “Naw, give me the real reason.”
Joshua couldn’t help it. There was something about her presence that demanded complete honesty. “Between Joe, John and me, I was always the runt, always felt like I was working twice as hard just to catch up to both of them. Then one day, I was sitting in class annoyed about something and I decided to put pen to paper.” He stopped, looking at her for a second, seeing no judgment, only rapt interest. “All the frustration was put on the paper, so I started keeping a journal of everything.” He took a break to sip on his drink. “My mom loved the drawing, even encouraged me to keep it up. One day I was with my pops and he found it…said that it wasn't something that would make me successful or help grow the company and that I should keep my head in the books and the field.”
Jordyn felt the weight of his disappointment. Finding something he loved, something that made him unique, only to be dismissed. “I am sorry Josh,” Jordyn said, her voice soft. She reached out, her hand light yet firm on his leg, hoping to bring him some comfort. He instantly placed his large, warm hand over hers, giving it a small, appreciative squeeze. They sat for a moment longer, basking in the profound comfort of shared vulnerability.
They did not notice the eyes that followed their interaction. Adonis Creed watched, a shadow in the night, staring through the cafe window just waiting…patiently. He noticed every shared laugh, every close look, and the physical closeness that confirmed his worst fear: the tension between them was dissolving the space between just friends. This could not go further; it needed to end now.
As the quiet conversation continued, the space between them on the couch seemed to disappear naturally. When Joshua gently brushed a loose piece of her hair back behind her ear, a trail of electricity prickled her skin. His deep brown eyes, shielded by those long lashes, were drowning her in a silent question.
“It’s getting late,” she whispered, the words barely breaking the air. The small cafe corner suddenly felt too hot, too close, suffocating with the scent of coffee and possibility.
“Oh.. yea… we've been here for a little min…” Josh responded, his voice husky. “Let me drop you off at home…maybe we can do this again.” He asked, a thread of wistfulness woven into his words.
“Yes, lets do it again. I like being around you.” She responded, feeling the heat rise up her neck and flood her cheeks.
They both got up, walking towards the door. A new, flirty silence followed them to the car. Joshua's outfit was a sleek contrast to the cafe's faded velvet: an all-black Nike tracksuit, the fabric sharp against the night air, accented by a thick gold Cuban link around his neck and vibrant red and white Nike Dunks on his feet. As they got closer to the black Hellcat, a sudden, sharp feeling of dread overcame Jordyn.
“Hey Joshua….” Her voice died as she saw Adonis, stepping out from the deepest shadow of the alley next to the parking lot.
“Well if it isn’t the friends.” Adonis spat, the venom in his voice sharp enough to cut the night air.
On high alert, Joshua instinctively took Jordyn’s hand, pulling her fully behind his six-foot frame. “What do you want Adonis?” Joshua’s voice was a low, dangerous baritone, acid ripping through the tension.
“Your family might cater to your little tantrum, Joshua, but I’m not here for you.” Adonis replied, his eyes hard, flat chips of black ice. The handsome chocolate skin and million-dollar smile were gone, replaced by a cold mask of malice.
Adonis ignored Joshua, fixing his gaze on Jordyn. “You seem to have forgotten the Academic Advisory Board and the zero-tolerance policy on misrepresentation of merit. My uncle, the one who sits on that board, would be so interested in hearing a sworn statement—mine, of course—that you’ve been falsifying information on your academic progress and needs assessments for two semesters.” He held up his phone, the pale screen light a jarring, bright rectangle in the darkness. “They’ll revoke that scholarship and boot you out of the program before you can say ‘Pharmacy.’ And my family has no problem making a few calls to punish who they think hurt their son.”
Jordyn’s breath hitched, her face draining of all color. This wasn't just policy; this was a targeted political strike against her future. She relied on this scholarship entirely, and if Adonis used his family's connections to lie to the board, it was all over. This is exactly why failing that math class is not an option, her mind screamed.
“Adonis, you would not,” she managed, her voice cracking, all the confidence from minutes ago annihilated.
“You tell him you're done, or I make that call. You choose.”
Jordyn felt the lie forming, ready to sacrifice the new hope she had found, but before she could utter the harsh words, Joshua tightened his grip on her hand—a fierce, grounding pressure that anchored her.
“The Fatu family is not the Creed family, Adonis,” Joshua replied, his voice dangerously low. He stepped fully in front of Jordyn. The crisp rubber sole of his red and white Nike Dunk scuffing the concrete was loud and deliberate. “We had this discussion after you instigated that fight earlier this semester. The stipulation was clear: you leave Jordyn alone, or the Fatus walk away, taking our millions in investment with us. You think my father won’t notice a targeted political hit on the student my brother is dating? You call your uncle, and I call my father. You threaten her scholarship, I ruin your company. Which one of us has more to lose here, Creed?”
Adonis’s eyes widened, the cold mask of malice finally shattered by raw panic. He knew the Fatu name meant immediate financial devastation for his family. He had been neutralized. With a snarl of impotent defeat, Adonis spun around and disappeared back into the darkness of the alley.
The moment he was gone, Jordyn’s relief was so intense it made her knees buckle. Joshua caught her instantly, wrapping his strong arms around her only long enough to steady her. The solid warmth of his body and the scent of cedar cologne were an immediate, necessary shield.
“It’s okay,” he murmured, keeping one arm lightly around her shoulder as he guided her toward the car. “It’s over. We need to go.”
He helped her into the passenger seat, his arm lingering as he clicked her seatbelt. Once in the driver’s seat, Joshua started the engine and his large hand found her lap, resting there with a casual, calming weight. The gesture blurred the clear lines of their friendship, but she welcomed the immense feeling of safety and peace it brought. The warmth radiating from his palm helped calm the last surges of adrenaline rushing through her.
The silence in the Hellcat was thick but welcomed, allowing Jordyn to process the staggering fact that a massive, million-dollar stipulation was set in stone after a confrontation involving her. Something about this ate at her, though, a tiny voice whispered, suggesting there was more to the Fatu/Creed deal than Josh was letting on. She couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Right now, she just needed rest. Her mind was racing with so many emotions she couldn’t think straight, and the heavy, sweet scent of Joshua’s cedar cologne hot boxing the car wasn't helping. She would steal glances every time a street light flashed through the windshield, highlighting the gold Cuban link chain against the black hoodie that seemed a little too tight around his muscular chest. She watched the way his well-cared-for fingers, surprising for a former football player, gripped the steering wheel as he took the corners.
A low, grateful “Thank you” finally left her lips when they pulled up outside her townhome, right behind Trinity’s car. She jumped out immediately, needing the cool night air to calm the physical buzz running through her body and the embarrassing heat that was building between her legs.
“You good, mama?” Joshua asked, coming quickly around the hood, concern etched on his face.
“Yea, just need some air... I guess it’s all the adrenaline leaving my body,” she responded, trying to mask her deep blush. She nodded, stepping toward him and placing a hand on his shoulder to emphasize that she was truly alright.
They walked up the short path, the porch light illuminating the front door as they stopped.
“Thanks for the coffee... friend,” she said, forcing a genuine smile that she hoped killed the building tension between them.
“I hope Adonis did not ruin it,” he responded quietly, his eyes searching hers, ignoring the "friend" label.
“Thank you for standing up for me. I know this has just brought you more issues,” she responded, and closed the final gap for a quick, appreciative hug.
As they embraced, Jordyn, still slightly unsteady, turned her head slightly to whisper a final, soft 'Goodnight' near his ear. At the exact same moment, Joshua, perhaps seeking only a comforting peck on her temple, angled his head down.
Instead of a temple or a cheek, their lips collided.
It was a brief, shocking, accidental contact—just the softest brush of their mouths against each other—but the momentary pressure was enough to stop both of their hearts. They instantly sprang apart, a foot of space reappearing between them like an electric shock had ripped through the air. Jordyn’s cheeks, already flushed, felt like they were on fire, and the moisture that had been building between her legs intensified into a hot wave. Joshua’s normally steady hands flew up, one reaching instinctively to the back of his neck, the other hovering, unsure where to go.
“W-whoa. Sorry, my bad. I—I was going for the cheek,” Joshua stammered, his voice suddenly rough and strained.
Jordyn couldn't breathe, let alone speak. She just nodded once, rapidly, a flurry of silent panic and confusing, searing heat.
“Okay. Goodnight, Jordyn,” he managed, turning sharply and practically jogging back to his car.
She watched the black Hellcat disappear down the street before finally allowing her hand to rise and lightly touch her lips, still tingling from the contact. Then, she quickly slipped inside, slamming the door behind her.
Jordyn slammed the front door shut, the heavy thud startling her. The cool air of the townhome hit her face, but it did nothing to cool the furious, embarrassing flush heating her cheeks. She was breathing too fast, her chest rising and falling like she had just sprinted a mile, and the tingling ghost of Joshua’s mouth on hers was a sudden, paralyzing anchor in the middle of the hallway.
She was still too focused on the stuttering shockwave of the kiss to fully register the movement. As the door slammed, Jonathan, a six-foot-three blur of poor coordination, practically body-slammed the sectional, while Trinity executed a low, serpentine slide onto the cushions beside him. They instantly snapped into a pose: sitting rigidly upright, shoulder-to-shoulder, remote control clutched like a shield, and staring blankly at the dark TV screen. Actively sweating innocence, they failed so utterly to hide their collective, suppressed laughter that their faces were tight with painful, rigid expressions.
“Well, hello to you, too,” Trinity said, her voice a low, dangerous purr that contained absolutely no amusement, yet betrayed the frantic rush of adrenaline and barely contained giggles.
Jordyn spun around, her eyes wide. They hadn't moved from the window in time. They had been watching. Her cheeks, already burning, felt like they were actively on fire.
“Okay, don’t start,” Jordyn managed, “and ya’ll can stop the act, you look guilty.” She walked straight through the living room toward the kitchen to get a cup of water. The cool liquid momentarily calmed the raging fire in her body. She took a deep breath.
Jonathan simply stared at her, unblinking, his hands up in a placating gesture. “You seriously just kissed my brother. On the front porch. I saw that whole clumsy mess.” Trinity nodded sharply in agreement. “That wasn’t very Friend Like behavior... unless you go around accidentally kissing all your friends.” Trinity giggled as she walked over to the kitchen island.
“It was nothing! A mistake! I leaned in for a quick hug, he was leaning down, our heads turned at the exact same time—it was a total accident!” Jordyn insisted, hating how defensive she sounded.
“An accident with sparks,” Trinity corrected, pushing her hands onto her hips. “You look like you just ate a ghost pepper. That was not a nothing, J. That was the most un-friend-like action I have ever witnessed. And I was standing right here, watching the Heat Blur in action.”
“He was going for my cheek, Trinity, and I was going for a whisper goodnight. It was adrenaline from the fight with Adonis,” Jordyn insisted, trying desperately to cling to the friendly narrative.
“Adrenaline leaves your body. The tingling on your mouth is still there, I can see it,” Trinity countered, her voice dropping. “You've been trying to keep him in the ‘friend zone’ so hard, and the universe just stepped in and said, ‘Nope, look at what you’re feeling.’ Don’t lie to us, Jordyn. Don’t lie to yourself.”
Jordyn bit the inside of her cheek. Her lips still throbbed, and the thought of confessing that the physical contact they had been carefully avoiding for weeks had erupted in a clumsy, shocking, and potent collision was too much to handle.
“Look, I’m going to bed. You two can gossip about my non-kiss all night long if you want,” Jordyn said, her tone final. She pushed past the two of them and took the stairs two at a time, desperate to escape the horrifying embarrassment of the accidental kiss, Jonathan's witnessing stare, and the million questions Trinity was poised to ask. “Goodnight.”
She didn't wait for a response, escaping to the sanctuary of her bedroom. The heavy oak door shut and locked with a satisfying click behind her. Jordyn stood in the dark, silent room, finally allowing herself to touch her own mouth with shaky fingers. The kiss had been barely a half-second, a clumsy misstep born of heightened emotions, but it had felt like a lightning strike.It wasn't just a physical accident. It was a clear, explosive indication that the boundary she had desperately tried to set—the line between Josh the protector and Josh the possibility—had never actually existed. Now, in the dark silence of her room, she had had to come to terms with the catastrophic problem, that maybe she was ready to step outside of the friend zone with Joshua.
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Always thank you to my inspirations: @spiicii, @whatdoeseverybodywant, @oddinary4bts @kithtaehyung @here2bbtstrash @charmed-dreamssss @zillasvilla @msbigredmachine @trippiexlove @wrestlingprincess80 @fearlesschimera @southerngirl41 @xoxorealitygalore @kithtaehyung
Zayla Bryant and Kennedy Williams have made history as the first female duo elected as FAMU’s Student Government Association president and vice president for the 2025-2026 year. Securing 56% of the vote with 2,005 ballots, they campaigned on inclusivity, innovation, and student empowerment.
