Noelle C. Tai B. Diamond W. Jamir T.

     "I can't believe I'm getting married!" Tai yelled while flashing her expensive engagement ring. It was the perfect size for her since she wasn't a flashy type of woman anyway.

     White and teal balloons were scattered around the ballroom along with white linen tablecloths and teal accents that graced each circular table. It hadn't been four months that Ray had proposed and Tai was already throwing an engagement party.

     "How long do I have to listen to this bitch go on and on about her getting married? Damn bitch, we know." Jamir spoke while holding a glass of champagne.

     "Relax. She's in love." Noelle shook her head at him as a smile crept on her face. She was happy for Tai. Even though she knew Tai and Ray were gonna get married after college anyway.

     "Somebody better get Raven's bougie ass before I thump her!" Diamond rolled her eyes as hard as she could.

     "What did she say now?" Noelle felt like the peacemaker of the group. Well, whenever Tai wasn't around. Diamond never liked Raven. In fact, none of them liked Raven. They only tolerated her because she was Tai's sister. Raven always thought she was better than them. She never failed to mention that she's an Alpha Kappa Alpha, graduated at the top of her class, and had jobs like Vogue and Louis Vuitton begging her to join their team. She went with Louis Vuitton of course.

     "So happy to see you Diamond. Still no ring? How sad." She mocked before rolling her eyes again. "Damn I hate that bitch. Anywho, have you talked to Benji today?"

"No. I haven't talked to him since last week. Why? Is everything okay?" Noelle had been blowing up his phone with text messages and phone calls only to receive nothing in return. So she stopped because she knew he wanted to spend some time with his grandfather.

     "His grandpa passed away last night. Ava posted something on Instagram."

     "Damn. I'm gonna try and call him later." Just hearing that his grandfather passed away made her sad and she didn't even know him. She's glad Benji was able to spend time with him before he passed away. Hearing that sad news made her grab another drink from the open bar.

     "Another glass of Peach Moscato please." She asked politely while sitting her now empty glass on the bar countertop. She thought about her Nana and how she'd go crazy if something happened to her.

     Suddenly, she smelled a familiar scent. A scent that brought back memories she tried her best to forget. It can't be.

     "Noelle." His tone was calm yet demanding. Her name escaped freely from his lips as she felt his warm body heat standing behind her. She turned around to face him. What the fuck was he doing here?

     "Terrance what are you doing here? This is a private event." She frowned in confusion, knowing Tai didn't let him in. He sighed before looking up at her with a worried look in his eyes. "I heard about your Mom. Baby I'm so—"

     "I'm not your baby." She corrected him. He chuckled softly and nodded his head. He was definitely pissed. Even after sneaking into a private event just to show her how much he cared for her, she still didn't give a fuck.

"How you holding up Noelle?"

     The bartender finally sat the pink liquid in front of her and she quickly left him a tip before getting far away from Terrance. He couldn't take no for an answer. He roughly grabbed her arm which made her turn around and yank away from him. Unwanted memories filled her head as she blinked a few tears away.

     "Noellie—" Diamond strutted towards them clutching her purse. Noelle already knew what was inside. Diamond never left home without her handgun. "Everything okay?"

     "Yeah we—" Her sentence was cut short due to Tai tapping the champagne glass. Everyone stopped their side conversations and diverted their attention towards her.

     "Thank you all for coming to my engagement party! At this time, I would like for Noelle to come up here and join me." She smiled directly at her. Noelle hated being the center of attention.

     All eyes were on her as she walked towards the center of the hardwood floor where Tai stood. Noelle rubbed her sweaty palms together while trying her best not to look at the crowd.

     Once she stood next to her, she began her speech. "Noelle Carter. We've been besties since pre-K and you've always had my back no matter what. You were the one who insisted that I went on a date with Ray—"

     "Thank you Noelle!" Ray yelled while standing near the bar next to his line brothers. Everyone laughed except Tai. She had tears in her eyes.

     "You're always there for me no matter what and I thank you for that. Because I'm a handful." She laughed while wiping the tears that were starting to stream down her face. "I don't know why I'm crying. I'm so extra. What I'm trying to ask is, will you be my Maid Of Honor?"

     "Of course!" She yelled before giving Tai a hug. Tears welled in her eyes as well. They were both crybabies.

     "I'm so sorry 'bout your Grandpa baby. I called once I heard. You okay? I wish you were here." Noelle said as she laid in her bed. She was sad for him.

I wish you were here with me. Benji thought.

     He missed hugging on her and needed her the most right now. All he wanted to do was go home and lay up under her, but his parents insisted that he stay in Bridgetown and be with his family.

     "Thanks." Benji said dryly. He was sitting outside on his grandfather's balcony with an amazing view of the beach. The sun was beginning to set and he could hear his family members in the backyard playfully arguing over a dominos game. He knew his grandfather wouldn't want anyone sad or crying over his passing, he wanted it to be a celebration.

     "Can you stop lookin' sad? I don't like it." She told him. He stared at the gold chain his grandfather gave him, right before he passed. He couldn't believe it. He was just talking to him.

     From him getting released from the hospital only for him to pass away in his home. Benji's grandfather was the one he would call for advice. His grandfather's birthday was coming up soon which made him even more upset.

     "Hey brother, don't worry when you get back Noellie gon' take real good care of you." Diamond said after she popped her head in the camera.

     "Diamond! Shut up!" Noelle blushed. He formed a smile as they went back and forth.

"What she doin' over there?"

     "She's been spending the night over here for the past week." She informed. He noticed the bags under her eyes and grew concerned. "Have you been sleepin'?" He asked which made Diamond smile at the two. They had been together for only two months and he was already worried about her well-being.

"Yeah. Just not as much. But I'm good now."

"Why you ain't tell me? I could've at least stayed on FaceTime with you all night until you fell asleep."

     "Because I didn't wanna bother you with it. I know you got a lot going on already." He hated when she didn't tell him things but she didn't want to add to his stress.

"I have to go. I'm about to go see my Mama. I'll talk to you later."

"Alright." and with that, he hung up.

     Noelle toyed with her fingers as Sincere's brick home came into view and Shawn parked the car. He was nervous as well. He missed his Mother and didn't know how she looked. The only thing Sincere told them was that she had bruises on her body. Noelle got out of the car. Her thoughts were everywhere. Using her key, she unlocked the door and heard nothing but smelled food.

     "Hello?" She asked and looked around. Nicole took a deep breath and stood up. "In here baby girl." Sincere yelled from the living room as he rubbed Nicole's arm. Noelle walked in the living room with Shawn. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at her mother who was being held up by crutches. Nicole cleared her throat before speaking.

     "Well, are you gonna just stand there or are you gonna give me a hug?" she questioned. Both Shawn and Noelle went to give her a hug.

     "Ma, who did this?" Was the first thing Shawn asked. He knew whoever did it, must've had a death wish.

     "Terrance." She had to let her kids know what really happened whether they liked it or not. Noelle gave her father a confused look and sat down across from her parents.

     Nicole sighed before explaining to them that Terrance had his goons beat her up. Not before attempting to get information about Noelle. Just to piss Sincere off. Sincere was ready to kill Terrance. He went too far messing with his family.

     "Y'all finished? 'Cause I'm ready to eat." Sincere told them. He didn't want to dwell on the past since he knew he was gonna take care of it. He was happy his wife was back and his family was complete again.

Is Noelle in love?

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