Chapter 2

The next morning, Lena's phone alarm buzzed at 6:30 AM. She groaned, reaching over to silence it, but she knew she had to get up. First day of class at Southern University, plus she had content to film. Ain't no time to be lazy.

She stretched, sitting up in bed, her bonnet barely hanging onto her head. The sun peeked through the blinds, and outside, the city was already waking up—cars passing, people outside, music playing faintly in the distance. Baton Rouge was alive, and Lena was tryna keep up.

She grabbed her phone and opened TikTok, scrolling for a second before deciding to get her morning started. She tapped the screen to record.

"GRWM for my first day at Southern," she said, her voice groggy but playful. She flipped the camera, showing her still-sleepy face before walking into the bathroom.

Lena started her morning routine—brushing her teeth, washing her face, and applying her skincare. By the time she stepped back into her bedroom, she was fully awake and ready to transform.

Her outfit for the day was simple but pressure: a fitted black two-piece set that hugged her curves just right, paired with her go-to Nike Dunks. She snatched her bonnet off, revealing her freshly installed 30-inch red wig, edges laid to perfection. A little makeup—brows, lashes, gloss—nothing too heavy.

By the time she finished filming, she was feeling herself.

"Yeah, this finna eat," she mumbled, snapping a quick mirror selfie before grabbing her bag and keys.

—

Southern University's campus was bigger than she expected, and full of life. Students walked in groups, music played from random speakers, and the energy was nothing but Black excellence.

Lena checked her schedule, heading toward her first class. She wasn't nervous, but she was definitely tryna keep her head on straight. She didn't know nobody out here yet, and the last thing she wanted was to stand out too much too soon.

After class, she grabbed a smoothie from the campus café and sat outside on a bench, scrolling through her phone.

That's when a girl walked up.

"Hey, you Selena, right?"

Lena looked up, seeing a brown-skinned girl with long, natural curls and a friendly smile. She looked familiar.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I'm Ray, the one who DMed you last night."

Lena's face lit up. "Ohhh, okay! I peeped your profile."

Ray laughed. "Yeah, I be outside. You tryna get into something later? Me and my people finna link up."

Lena thought for a second. She wasn't really tryna be outside like that on her first week, but at the same time, she did need to meet new people. And Ray seemed cool.

"Shiii, I'm down," Lena said, smirking. "Long as y'all don't get too crazy."

Ray grinned. "Nah, we chill—for the most part."

Lena shook her head, already knowing that meant the opposite. But what was the worst that could happen?

—

Later that night, Lena pulled up to a spot that looked like an after-hours lounge. It wasn't no club, but it had that vibe—cars lined up outside, music thumping from inside, and a mix of people standing around, dappin' each other up and talkin'.

Lena parked her Scat and stepped out, adjusting her outfit—a fitted crop top and stacked leggings that showed off her shape. She felt the eyes, but she ignored 'em, keeping her confidence up.

Inside, the vibe was exactly what she liked—low lights, a thick haze in the air, and music that rattled the walls. Ray met her at the entrance, grinning.

"Lenaaa, wassup!" Ray pulled her into a quick hug. "Aye, y'all, this my girl I was telling y'all about."

Lena looked around, finally getting a look at Ray's crew. Three girls, four guys. They all looked like they belonged in this scene—laid-back, iced out, and moving like they ran things.

One of the girls was hugged up under a dude, clearly her man. The rest of them were vibin', smoking, drinking, chilling.

And then there was him.

Von.

He was sitting back on one of the couches, black hoodie on, diamond chains resting against his chest, grills flashing slightly every time he licked his lips. He wasn't saying much, just peeping the scene, his eyes low and unreadable.

Lena noticed him instantly, but she played it cool, not tryna look too pressed.

"Aye, Lena, this Cinco," Ray said, motioning to one of the guys.

Cinco was the exact opposite of Von—lighthearted, playful, with a smirk that stayed on his face. He was tatted up, iced out, and definitely one of those dudes who knew how to have fun.

"Oh, so you the famous TikTok girl," Cinco teased, looking Lena up and down. "I see why the city hyped."

Lena rolled her eyes but smirked. "Boy, shut up."

He laughed, dapping her up. "Nah, you cool. You drink?"

Lena nodded, and just like that, she was being handed a shot. The group welcomed her in easy, and before she knew it, she was laughing, dancing, and vibing like she'd known them for months.

Von hadn't said a word to her. He barely even looked at her. But every time she glanced his way, he was there—posted up, quiet, observing.

Lena didn't pay it no mind. It was her first night out with these people, and she wasn't here for all that.

But what she didn't realize was that Von noticed her too. Even if he didn't say nothing, even if he didn't react, he saw her. And in his world, that meant something.

It was only a matter of time before their paths really crossed.

But for now?

Lena was just living, not knowing that her life in Baton Rouge was about to change in ways she never expected.