* * *
Overwhelmed, Noah sent his fist through the wall, damn near breaking his knuckles, and pulled it back. He placed the palms of his hands against the wall and breathed heavily as he bowed his head. He had started his day as a young hustler just trying to make a dollar and had ended it with two bodies on his street résumé. He knew that murder and money went hand in hand. He had to be ready for this, but it didn’t make it easier. He was selling his soul to protect one girl, but she was worth it. Noah shook his bleeding hand as he pulled out his cell phone with the other. He was about to make a call that he had said he never would. Drastic times called for drastic measures, however.
Khadafi Langston was Noah’s father. He had never seen the man or even spoken to him before, but Noah’s mother ensured that Noah knew his father’s name. Noah had looked up the number almost a year ago and had never used it. His father had never been in Noah’s life; he didn’t even know if the man knew he had a son. The affair with Noah’s mother had been a one-night stand, a casual fling, but the birth of Noah Langston was the result. As chance would have it, hustling was in his blood. Khadafi was the biggest kingpin Flint, Michigan, had ever seen, and Noah was about to call him for the first time. Noah wasn’t dumb. He knew that he couldn’t get rid of the two bodies that were lying in the middle of his living room. That required resources … a professional, and there was only one man Noah could reach out to. Just as he was about to press dial, police sirens rang out in the distance.
“Noah!” Bleu called in distress as she suddenly snatched open the bedroom door. “The police are coming up,” she said, frightened.
Noah never got to make his call, as his brain went into overdrive. He rushed to Bleu and cradled her face while staring her in the eyes. “We have to get our story straight and we don’t have a lot of time to do it.”
“He came to the door with Larry.… He … he … he killed him and then muscled his way inside the door. I th-thought I was g-g-oing to die,” she stuttered.
“I came in and surprised him from behind as he held you at gunpoint. We tussled and I knocked the gun out of his hand, but he had another gun in his waistline. He pulled it on me and then you scrambled for the first gun and shot him in the back of the head. You feared for your life and you thought he was going to kill me. You understand? He brought both of these guns here. These belong to him. A’ight?”
She nodded her head in panic as she went over the details in her head. Noah hoped that she had it down, because one of those guns had two bodies on it and he could go away for life if anyone connected the dots of what had really occurred that night. He picked up the gun and placed it in Bleu’s hands and told her to pull the trigger.
“You need residue on your hands,” he explained quickly as she shook uncontrollably.
“I’m scared,” Bleu admitted as tears fell.
“I know … I know, B. I got you,” he whispered.
At that moment four armed police officers infiltrated the apartment, guns drawn, aiming from Bleu to Noah, trying to assess the situation at first glance.
“Show me your hands! Put the gun down!” they yelled.
Bleu lifted her hands and let the gun fall to the floor with a clang.
“Get on your knees!”
Noah got on his knees with his hands planted firmly behind his head. He had seen the routine enough times to know how to not get shot. “She can’t get on the ground. She’s been shot. She’s the victim in that store robbery that happened about a month ago!” Noah yelled.
“Please, I was just released from the hospital today,” she whispered.
She trembled like prey as a female officer approached her. “Place your wrists in front of you, dear. We don’t know what happened here, but we still have to cuff you. I’ll be gentle,” the woman said.
“I … I shot him,” Bleu whispered. “I thought he was going to kill me.”
The female officer lowered her voice, whispering, “Sweetheart, I don’t know what happened here, but you don’t say one word without a lawyer, okay?”
Bleu nodded her head as she was escorted out into the night. Every resident who lived in Black Wall Street seemed to be out as the police walked her to the squad car. Life moved in slow motion as she met the eyes of the neighbors. It felt like she was taking the long walk of shame, and as the officers stuffed her in the back of police car, she saw the officers escorting Noah out. It hit her. He had saved her life. If it were not for him, she would be the one the coroner would be tagging. She stared at Noah through the window with tear-filled eyes and mouthed, I love you. A simple nod was his only reply as the car started and pulled away.
5
“I’m looking at five years, Bleu,” Noah said as he gripped the phone and stared at Bleu through the thick glass that separated them.
Her heart broke when she heard the news, and pools of emotion immediately gathered beneath her lashes. “But how? I told them what happened. They let me go! Why are you still in here?” she asked desperately.
“I had a brick of heroin on me that night. They don’t even want to pin the bodies on me. They’re concerned about the dope. If I fight it I could get life, Bleu. I can do a quick five and be out. I’m going to take the plea,” Noah replied, trying to sound as if this entire plan were okay.
“Noah,” Bleu whispered, heartbroken, as she placed her hand against the glass. “I’ll wait for you. What you did for me, the way you look at me … I finally see it. I love you and I’m going to wait for you, no matter how long it takes,” she promised.
Noah grimaced as he sniffed loudly, trying to contain his emotions. He had wanted to hear her say this for years. He had been in love with this one girl since it was innocent enough to be just a crush. She mattered most to him, and as he stared into her beauty, he was mesmerized. She wasn’t overly sexy, but she was just his type. Brown skin, shoulder-length hair that fell in messy curls around her face, hips wide, waist slim, and a smile uniquely hers. A small gap rested between her two front teeth, just big enough to notice. Bleu hated it, but like a mole was to a model, it was more a gift than a curse. Her body more dangerous than the curves of a racer’s path, he had enjoyed watching her walk away from him so many times before. Today, however, he dreaded it, because he knew that it would be the last time. He just stared at her, gripping the phone as he tried to paint a picture of her beautiful face in his head. He knew that he couldn’t keep her. There was still a bounty on her head. She was like a walking money bag. Anyone with a thirst for some quick cash would try to off her. With Noah locked up, she would have no protection. She would be a sheep among wolves. Every gun in the city would be at her head until she was dead. She couldn’t stick around and wait for him, but he knew if he told her the truth … if he told her that he loved her more than the air in his lungs … that he saw his future in her … that besides money she was the only thing that occupied his thoughts … if he told her these truths, she would stay regardless. He had to lie to get rid of her.
“Don’t wait for me,” he responded.
She frowned in confusion. “What? What are you saying to me, Noah?”
“I’m in here because of you. You brought that heat to my crib and now I’m doing a bid behind it. You Hollywood, right? That was your dream? You’re off to sunny California, and I’ll be rotting away behind concrete and steel bars. You’ve overstayed your welcome, B. I should have never taken on your burdens. Maybe you should just catch that bus to the West Coast,” he said without flinching, showing no emotion.
She blinked in confusion as her mouth fell open, flabbergasted by his rejection.
He saw her feelings fold as a hint of heartbreak reflected in her eyes, and it ate away at him that he had caused it.
“Noah—”
“Just go, Bleu! Damn!” he interrupted. “High school is over. It’s time we went our separate ways.” He got to his feet and slammed the phone down. He didn’t even turn around to give her one last glance before he disappeared out of her sight.
Bleu stood abruptly, pushing out of the chair with so much force that it fell to the floor. Everyone turned to look at her, and she rushed out of the room, embarrassed and in despair.
By the time Bleu made her way back to Noah’s apartment, she had made up her mind. She was leaving town. Fuck this cruddy-ass city, she thought as she tore down the police tape and pushed open the door. She stopped and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the blood-stained floor where her stepfather and the man who had attacked her had fallen. The smell of death lingered in the air. She was almost afraid to walk inside. Taking a deep breath, she willed herself forward. I can’t stay here, she thought. She would lose her life if she stayed in Flint. It was the city where the good died young, and she felt the ruthlessness firsthand. She wouldn’t even stay to put her stepfather in the ground. Noah was the only person who could have talked her into remaining, and he had made it clear he wasn’t interested. Bleu made her way to the bedroom and gathered her things. She didn’t have much to her name. She would leave most of it behind, except for a suitcase full of clothes. Struggling and in need of rest, she managed to drag her bag out of Noah’s room. He didn’t want her there. He blamed her for everything that had happened, but what hurt most was that he hadn’t returned her sentiments.
She had never known a pain so great. Every part of her hurt. Her heart was broken, her spirit crushed, and her body healing from a shooting that should have killed her. Bleu’s pain overwhelmed her as she pulled her suitcase all the way outside. She didn’t stop until she was standing in front of the bus stop. The next bus didn’t come for another twenty minutes, more than enough time to change her mind, but she knew that this was it. This had been the plan all along, and when her ride finally arrived, she stepped onto the bus without looking back. She had no love for a city that had no love for her. Los Angeles, California, here I come.
6
The bus ride was a blur. After countless transfers, days of traveling, and slipping in and out of consciousness from the pain pills she had taken, Bleu had finally arrived. La-la land … the place where dreams came true. This was it and as she stepped out of the Greyhound station with her bag in hand she looked around in amazement. She had done it. She was here. After years of imagining what it would be like, she was standing in the middle of the city … inhaling the smog-filled air.
Now what? she thought. She had no plan. She had missed the first half of the first semester. She couldn’t just drop into her classes. She was too far behind. She had hopped on a bus and traveled across the country with no real clue of what she would do once she arrived, but after everything that had happened to her, she had no regrets.
She looked left, then right, slightly overwhelmed by the magnitude of her new surroundings. She didn’t have any money. She couldn’t get a room. She would have to spend her first night on the streets.
“Hey, you need a ride?”
She looked down the block to the cabbie who was sitting on the hood of his car. A cigarette dangled between his fingers as he blew smoke into the air. Knowing that her pockets were on E, she shook her head to decline. “No, I’ll walk, thanks. But can you tell me where UCLA is?”
“You’re walking to UCLA? From here? At this time of night?” the cabbie asked.
Bleu nodded. She was fully aware of her peculiar destination. It was 1:00 a.m., but she just had to see it, up close and personal. She had researched it and looked at pictures a thousand times, but she wanted to plant her feet on campus. She deserved to.
“Can you just point me in the right direction?” she asked. “I don’t mind walking.”
The Hispanic gentleman smashed his cigarette into the curb and then tossed the butt before ruffling his fingers through his jet-black hair. “Come on; I’m going that way anyway. I’ll give you a lift,” he offered.
Bleu didn’t move. She was young, but she was from the murder capital. If he thought she looked like easy bait, he was mistaken. “I’m good,” she said, declining his offer.
“Hey, it’s on the house. I’m not trying to get you,” he replied. He could sense her skepticism and he held out a finger. “Hey, look at this.” He went into his glove compartment and pulled out his state license. “You’re a smart cookie,” the cabbie stated. He held it out for her. “That there is my state permit. I’m licensed to drive this here piece of shit. This is a big city. You’re smart to worry, but if you see one of these you’re safe to get inside. Okay?”
After inspecting it thoroughly, she removed her cell phone and took a picture of the man’s face.
“I’m sending your picture to my parents,” she lied. “If you kill me, at least the police will know who to look for.”
The cabbie held out his hands in amusement, then clapped them together and said, “Good idea! Now let’s get you to UCLA.”
She climbed into the back of the cab and watched as the driver climbed into the front.
“I’m Eddie, by the way,” he introduced himself.
“Bleu,” she replied as she stared out of her window. The city was so alive. There were lights everywhere, and people were out walking and talking as if it were the middle of the day.
“So what’s your story, Bleu? You a runaway?” Eddie asked.
She furrowed her brow but didn’t answer as she continued to stare out of the window.
“No offense. I’ve been driving cabs for ten years. A lot of young girls with one suitcase have come out of that bus station. This city is like a magnet for girls with stars in their eyes. What do you do? Act? Sing? Or dance?”
“I’m a student. I was accepted to UCLA,” she answered somewhat boastfully. She wasn’t the average birdbrain with a talent that would probably never blossom into a career. She was smart; she had aced every test she had taken since grade school. Her brains had been her ticket out, not some pipe dream.
“Oh, well, you’re a little late, aren’t you? Classes started a while back,” Eddie stated as he shifted his eyes from the rearview mirror to the road.
“Yeah, well, I got held up,” she responded vaguely.
She crossed her arms as they made the trek across town. When he finally pulled onto Sunset Boulevard she peered out of her window in amazement.
“This is it,” Eddie said. “That’s Royce Hall.”
She sat, slightly intimidated, as she stared at the empty campus. It was massive. It appeared to be larger than her entire hometown at first glance.
“You going to get out?” Eddie asked with a chuckle.
She turned to him and said, “Thanks for the lift.”
“No problem. Good luck,” Eddie replied. “Hey, if you’re ever in the mood for some good Mexican food, my wife owns a restaurant.” He handed Bleu a folded menu and gave her a wink. “It’s good eating.”
She smiled and answered, “I’ll have to come by then. Thank you for the free ride. Have a good night.” She stepped out of the cab, lugging her suitcase behind her, and she made her way down the red-brick path. Royce Hall was beautiful. Surrounded by a lawn the size of a football field, with a beautiful fountain, it was larger than any building she had ever seen in Flint. It had character, and she could only imagine the type of genius minds that had been lucky enough to ever grace its halls. “I made it,” she whispered. She took a deep breath and walked over to one of the large trees before setting her things down.
Even if she had the money to sleep in a five-star hotel, she would still prefer this very spot. She took a seat in the grass, leaned her back against the large tree, and looked around. She was in love. She belonged here. This massive institution with its green grass and beautiful architecture would be her new home, at least for the next four years, and it felt right. Bleu had always been a big-city girl trapped in the surroundings of her humble upbringing. UCLA. Los Angeles. This was where she belonged. As Bleu closed her eyes, she fell asleep completely comfortable under the night sky. She had no idea what this city had in store for her, however. The change of pace and scenery had seduced her upon first sight, but she had stepped into
a whole new world. Wealth and status ruled this city. While she was used to dealing with hoodlums and hustlers, she had never encountered the privileged and pretentious. This was an entirely different league and she would need more than street smarts in order to play in this game.
7
“Hey!”
Bleu felt a nudge as someone kicked the bottom of her shoe, awakening her from her sleep. She frowned as she placed her hand above her eyes to shield them from the sun while staring up into the face of the security guard before her. “You’re not supposed to be sleeping here. Unless you want to be arrested for loitering, I’d advise you to get up and get moving.”
Bleu slowly stood on her feet, grimacing slightly as she fought through the discomfort of her healing wounds. “I’m a student; relax!” she shot back as she grabbed her suitcase. The sun had barely risen above the clouds, and the sky was a shade of amber that caused her to stop and admire the view. “Sunny California” was an accurate description. It wasn’t even 6:00 a.m. and already the heat was starting to settle in. The campus was practically deserted at this hour. A few lone souls wandered to prep for early classes, but nothing else moved. It was peaceful and Bleu couldn’t wait to get started on this journey. Walking around campus was like being in a city within a city. It was huge … too big, in fact. She had been to a few college parties back in high school, but this campus seemed to dwarf any that she had ever stepped foot on. After an hour of walking, going to the wrong building, and asking various students for help, she finally located the admissions office. She didn’t know what she would say or do, but she had to give it a shot. She was now more eager than ever. She had to attend. She didn’t care if she had to make the painful trek around campus while recovering or if she had to stay up all night every night to catch up; she just wanted to be here. Besides, she had nowhere else to go. Everything took effort. Going up the steps, pulling her bag behind her … it was all a task, and by the time she stepped into the air-conditioned building she was out of sorts. Sweaty and flustered, she blew out a sharp breath as she found the office that she had been searching for.
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