"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Baby, come closer

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Baby, come closer"

EBONY

She sat on the couch, rapping along with Drake as she slowly nodded her head to the song. If she knew she was going to be this bored at this New Year's Eve party, she would definitely not have come; not that she had really planned to go out this evening to begin with. But her boyfriend begged her for hours and the only way she could make him shut up was to come to his friend's wack-ass party.

She knew nobody and didn't feel like making new friends. That'd never been her things. Since she was little, she was so used to people judging her and hating on her for no reason. She was just being herself, and people didn't like it.

At first, she couldn't understand why, but as she grew up and became the beautiful woman she was today, she finally got it. She wasn't meeting society's beauty standards and it was a problem for some. Sounds dramatic, but people can be very extra and hateful. How can you hate someone just for that though ? That, she will never really understand, not like there was any real logic behind it.

She looked around, tapping her foot in irritation. Not once did she have fun in this party and it was seriously getting on her nerves to be sitting on this couch, by herself, bored like she'd never been before. And the fact that she had to dress up for nothing was aggravating her more.

Where was her boyfriend at ?

She didn't know and she actually didn't care at this point. She simply wanted to go home and enjoy the rest of her vacation as it was planned. She didn't know why he dragged her here if it was to abandon her after ten minutes.

She unlocked her phone, which was at twenty percent, and continued her conversation with Katlego, her best friend since her freshman year in college. Kat was in New York, with her mother, having a much-needed girls' night. Ebony envied her friend tonight. She wished she was doing the same right now, instead of being at this party with people she didn't know and wasn't interested to get to know.

Soon after she sent a new iMessage, her phone was suddenly snatched away. She looked up, frowning and ready to fight whoever chose to mess with her. Tonight wasn't the night. She didn't want to be here, so the least those people could do was to leave her alone.

She prepared to throw her drink, but was quickly stopped by her boyfriend. Once she realized, she let out a groan, holding her hand out towards him. "Give me my phone."

"No. Dance with me." He brought her up on her feet, against her will.

"Don't fucking touch me, Jerome ! You abandoned me all night, so why are you here now ? Go back to your stupid friends ! "

"Why you always trippin', Eb ? I can't spend time with my friends now ? "

She smacked her teeth. "I don't care, do whatever you want, Rome. Give me my phone, so I can go."

"Go where ? "

"Home ! I'm tired and this party sucks. I'm not having fun," she answered, crossing her arms.

"Why you always complicated ? "

"Well, since I'm always trippin' and complicated, let me go so you can have fun. I don't know why you want me to stay so bad when you're not even paying attention to me."

"Eb, c'mon now," he whined, "I didn't see some of them folks for months, mainly because I was giving you all my attention."

She frowned. "What are you talking about ? What attention ? You worked most of the time. Your job was your girlfriend, or maybe you weren't even at your job to start with." Her words made him roll his eyes in annoyance.

"Not this again. I'm not cheating, Eb."

"Yeah, whatever."

Meet .

A beautiful, intelligent, independent, funny, amazing black woman in search of true love. Not that she was really looking out for it, but she had plans and falling in love was the last point on her list where she needed to put a check next to. She had a good career, a great family that adored her, a wonderful friend that she loved as a sister; she was living on her own, was healthy and didn't have much to complain about, but she couldn't help but feel like something was missing in her picture.

At twenty-five years old, Ebony wasn't that pressed to get married and have babies, but according to her plans, she needed to hurry up a little bit and find the man whom she'll share the rest of her life with.

Now, don't get it twisted, she wasn't in need of a man but wanted one. There is nothing wrong with wanting a lover and companionship. Without a man, she was still happy and going to be successful. She just imagined her future in a certain way, and as determined as she was, she'll work to get what she wanted, as she always did. She didn't feel incomplete in this way, but more like she would love to have a partner to share adventures with. Without a man, she still felt like herself, a strong black woman.

In the back of her mind though, she knew that if it wasn't meant to happen, it still won't prevent her from finding happiness. And the world had evolved a lot, so she knew she could get the kids by herself if she still felt like having children.

However, love is something you can't really control and Ebony was now learning that the hard way with her current boyfriend. She was so determined to find the love of her life, that she let a fuck boy walk into her life as if this journey wasn't already so stressful.

She met Jerome in her last year of college and it wasn't love at first sight between those two, mainly on her side. Ebony didn't like him at first, but it didn't stop Jerome from pursuing the young woman. After so many efforts, Ebony finally gave in and let him have a chance. She wasn't used to guys running after her, so the fact that he was being so persistent did do something to her heart.

Three months before they graduated, they made it official and Ebony really thought that she had found her soulmate. But Jerome was just too good to be true and once they got comfortable in their relationship, he started showing his very true colors.

At first, everything was perfect, then the lifestyle the NFL offered him ended up changing him. He was feeling himself a bit too much and humbleness was very out of his vocabulary. Women were throwing themselves at him, and he was doing nothing to stop them. He loved to entertain the groupies on social media and in real life. And he loved to spend money like there was no tomorrow. He had to show the world that he was making big numbers.

The romantic guy she met in college was actually a self-centered motherfucker. There were so many red flags, but being her first serious relationship, Ebony wanted to fight for it and make it work. The thing is, in a relationship if the two persons don't try to make it work, it is meant to fail.

"Don't whatever me now, and stop being mad. We're about to enter in a new year and you want to fight with me." He put his hands on her hips.

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Jerome. I'm done with this conversation. Now, give me my phone, so I can leave this fucking party."

"No, please. Please, stay with me. I'm keeping you company for the rest of the night." He attempted to plead with her, but she wasn't really listening. She wanted to go home. Period.

"Give me my phone."

He groaned. "Okay, I'm gonna do this."

She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "What are you talking about ? What are you gonna do ? "

"Yesterday, you were complaining about me not claiming you on social media--"

"That's not what I was doing ! "

"Yes, it was ! And look, I'm gonna do this right now as a good start for the new year." He took out his phone and raised it, getting ready to take a selfie.

"Please, stop." She laughed, shaking her head. "You really think you can make me do whatever you want by posting me on your Instagram ? You're so funny, Jerome."

He put his hand down, defeated. "Is it not what you wanted though ? "

"You're obviously never listening to me, and I'm tired of repeating myself. Give me my phone."

"Eb, you--"

"Give me my phone, Jerome ! " She raised her voice, knowing he wouldn't like it.

"Yo, stop that shit now. Don't make a scene."

"Then give me my damn phone." He kissed his lips and gave it back. "Thank you."

"Are you really gonna leave ? "

"Yes."

"C'mon, Eb, don't be like that. Plus, we came here together. How would I look like letting you go by yourself ? "

"An asshole," she mumbled, but he still could hear her.

"I heard that. We can go in an hour. We won't be able to do the countdown with everybody else, but who cares ? As long as we're together, it's all that matters. Right ? "

She signed, "I don't want to go in an hour, but right now. I was nice enough to come here, so can you do something for me for once ? I really don't know why you begged me to come here."

"Okay, you know what ? Just leave. You're getting on my nerves, so just leave. You're always ruining my moments."

"What ? " She frowned.

"You're selfish, so you can go."

She chuckled dryly. "Alright, Jerome. Enjoy the rest of your night." She got out of his grip and headed to the front door, grabbing her coat on the way. She couldn't believe it.

"Hey ! Hey ! Hey, Ebony ! " She heard someone calling her name after she pressed the button for the elevator. She turned and saw Brandon, one of Jerome's close friends. Compared to Jerome, Brandon was nowhere near a douchebag. His fiancée, Gracie, was really lucky to have him.

"Oh, Brandon. Are you okay ? "

"I should be asking you that. You looked upset when you left, worrying Gracie and myself. Is everything alright ? "

"Yes, don't worry." She wasn't outside yet, but she could already feel the cold. She groaned when she remembered that it was snowing.

"Are you sure ? How are you going home ? It's New Year's Eve, Eb."

"I know. I'll find a way, don't worry about me." She got her gloves out, wondering how she actually was going to make her way home, at least without getting attacked by a crazy person. She knew that by this hour, people must be out of control out there.

"Let me drive you home. Gracie and I were actually leaving right now."

"Why ? " she automatically asked.

"Her parents are having a party as well and we promised to be there before midnight."

"Oh, cool. Well, it's very nice of you two, but I don't want to make you late at this second party."

"You won't. Just wait here five minutes, please."

The elevator was finally there. She quickly thought and decided to accept the act of kindness. Among all Jerome's friends and family, Brandon and Gracie were the only ones Ebony was really getting along with. She didn't consider them her friends though, because she knew them by association and she also knew that if she happened to break up with Jerome, they wouldn't stay in contact.

But she was grateful to somewhat be accepted by them nonetheless.

"Thank you so much, " she simply said as he nodded and went back to the apartment to get his woman and say his byes.

Five minutes later, the couple came out, hand in hand. "I don't know if I already told you, but you look beautiful tonight, Ebony."

"Oh, thank you. You do too. And the short hair really suits you."

"Thanks. Ready to go ? "

"I've been ready, " she answered, making them chuckle.

Half an hour later, she was walking in her apartment and it was thirty minutes before midnight. First thing she did was put her phone on the charger, then she took her clothes off and jumped in the shower. She didn't stay long under the water, even though it was warm.

In winter, taking a shower was one of her least favorite things to do, but at the same time taking care of her hygiene was one of her obsessions, so it wasn't that bad. She had a love/hate relationship with so many things.

Once she was dressed in her comfy pajamas and wrapped her hair, she decided to send her new year's messages to her family and Katlego, then made herself a mug cake. She topped it with whipped cream and went to her room.

12:00, displayed her digital alarm clock.

"Well, happy New Year to me." She sadly chuckled. Now, she wished she wanted to go out tonight and went to her mother's party.

Lately, she was not as happy as she should be. As the days went by, she was increasingly realizing the cause of her current mood.

Jerome.

CHRESANTO

"Lil' Kodak they don't like to see you winnin'

They wanna see you in the penitentiary

I need me a lil' baby who gon' listen

Girl I don't wanna be the one you iggin'

My mama told me, ''Boy make a decision''

Right now I gotta keep a tunnel vision

I need me a lil' baby who gon' listen

Girl I don't wanna be the one you iggin'

Lil' Kodak they don't like to see you winnin'

They wanna see you in the penitentiary

I need me a lil' baby who gon' listen

Girl I don't wanna be the one iggin'

My mama told me, ''Boy make a decision''

Right now I gotta keep a tunnel vision

They sendin' all my homies on a mission

And I ain't tryna miss out on these millions"

He nodded his head to the song, even though it wasn't really his cup of tea. If he had to listen to rap, his selection wouldn't be with the songs of this new generation. What were those so-called rappers even talking about ? Their gibberish made no sense to him. But he wasn't the DJ, so he had to do with it for the night.

Meet .

Maybe the most down-to-earth and well grounded person in the world, who knows ? A very chill, polite, hard-working and successful man any girl would be lucky to have, but he wasn't often letting women fully appreciate his multiple qualities.

Like anybody else, he also had dark issues in his life, which were mainly attached to a tumultuous past that could resume with pain, confusion, fear, anger and embarrassment. His heart and mind were haunted by horrible memories that'll maybe never let him be truly happy.

Though that was all he ever wanted.

To feel free and happy. He didn't care to know where he'll be in a couple of years; as long as he was free from all this hurt, he'll be just fine. Dying in peace was his ultimate dream. But will he ever stop fighting his inner demons ? He didn't know.

Battling with your own mind every day wasn't an easy thing to do, but he hoped that one day all of this would be worth it.

He heard so many times his father say that love is a remedy. He never truly understood the quote, but somehow it kept him going. However, he felt like the love he was receiving from his friends and family wasn't what he truly needed. Well, what he really wanted was the comfort of a woman.

He finished his drink and threw his plastic cup away as a girl that he caught eye contact with earlier finally got enough courage to make her way towards him. By then, another song had started playing and it sounded like the DJ was now in the mood for a dancehall session.

Arriving at where he was, she couldn't help but move her hips a little bit. "Hello ! " she greeted with a smile, happy to see that he was even more attractive at a close distance.

"Wassup ? " he greeted back, nodding his head to the music.

"My name's Mirabella." She spoke close to his ear so he could hear her.

But the music was so loud, he wasn't sure if he heard her correctly. "Excuse me, what did you say ? "

"What ? " she asked, a bit confused. She quickly decided to grab his hand, then she led him somewhere else.

Seeing as they were going upstairs, Chresanto couldn't help but frown at the young woman. They basically said one word to each other and here she was already taking him to a room, at somebody else's house.

He didn't even know personally the owner of this house and he felt so uncomfortable going to the rooms like that. Hell, even if he knew him personally, he wasn't the one to have sex at people's houses. He just found it so awkward and disgusting to know that people actually did that.

That's why he never organized a party at his own house, not that his father would even let him to start with. But once he got his own place, he just continued to apply his father's rules because he thought that they were actually logical.

"Here we can actually talk."

"We could just go outside too, you know, " he said as she sat on the bed and gave him a look.

"There are some things we can't do outside though." She bit her bottom lip slightly, devouring him with her eyes.

"You sure you just want to talk ? " he asked, even though he sure knew the answer.

"We can talk later. Let's have some fun first." She motioned for him to come join her on the bed. She didn't even wait for him to move as she began undressing, while Chresanto simply focused on the ceiling, wondering what he got himself into.

Once she was totally naked and noticed that the young man was still at the same spot, she got off the bed and approached him. "A gentleman ? " she hummed, smiling. "I like it. But you can be a bit more...rough with me, I don't mind."

She licked her lips, looking at him up and down. She then had an urge to touch him, so that's what she did, starting by feeling his torso through his t-shirt. She thought he would like it, but at this very moment Chresanto was wondering why she had her hands on him when he never gave her the permission to do it in the first place.

He wanted to get out of there, ASAP.

Since he was in his thoughts, he didn't notice that her hands had moved more to the south, which he was not fine with. Before she could attack his private part, he looked down at her, grabbed her wrists and nicely pushed her away.

"What's wrong ? You'd rather be in control ? I like it too." Next thing he knew, she was bent over, waiting for him to tear her ass up, which he was definitely not about to do.

She sounded and looked desperate to him at this point, and it was nowhere near attractive. He didn't think much about her when they first made eye contact and when she came towards him. Now, he was completely turned off.

"Please, put your clothes back on. I'm going back downstairs. Uh, it was nice to have met you, I guess."

"What the fuck ? You're going nowhere ! "

"Watch me." As he started opening the door, it was almost immediately closed by a furious Mirabella.

"What did I say ? "

He frowned. "Get off the door. Please."

She shook her head. "No. I didn't undress and bend over for you to leave me like this. You're not gonna play me ! " She raised her voice.

Chresanto was lost, totally. "Playing you ? What are you talking about ? " He smacked his teeth, now getting annoyed.