The Girl Next Door

~42~

"I see..." Kehlani says, motioning to my eyes that had dark rings around them. Not to mention they are puffy from me crying.

Huffing, I walk up the steps and get on the bus, walking to my spot in the near back.

I throw my dance bag into the carrier above the seats and set my makeup bag on the seat.

Once I settle in, the coach speaks from the front of the bus," okay. Now that Onika's here... is that everyone?"

Kehlani takes her seat across the aisle from me and gives me a smile. I look away, remembering the kiss that happened yesterday. I can hear her sigh beside me but I occupy myself by digging in my makeup bag.

As the bus begins moving, I take out my hand mirror and begin doing my makeup, trying my best to cover up the dark rings.

Halfway through it, I can hear whispers coming from behind me. I shake my head and finish my makeup. But then I hear my name coming from someone's mouth. I turn around and see the one and only Beyoncé speaking to some girls that are crowded around her.

"Excuse me." I say, causing Beyoncé to turn around and smirk at me," why is my name coming from your mouth?"

Beyoncé shrugs," we were just talking about how Robyn tried to fight Lani over you but then she called you a hoe." After that, she laughs and so does everyone behind her. Even the seniors.

My face heats up as I become more agitated," that has nothing to do with you."

Beyoncé retorts quickly," I bet. Considering she only wants me now. She only proved, once and for all, that she doesn't want you. And now that you've seen that, you decide to move on to Kehlani. In no more than five minutes. That's a real hoe move-"

Kehlani jumps in," hey man. No need to do all that. She ain't come on to me."

A senior pipes in," oh? Then why was y'all kissing in the locker room?"

Kehlani shakes her head," I came on to her. That's where you wrong. Y'all need to mind ya business if it ain't got shit to do with you."

"Doesn't matter," Beyoncé says," because Nicki is still doing the same thing she was doing months ago. Isn't that why she's pregnant by Robert now?"

A collective gasp comes from everyone that is within earshot and I drop my makeup. My head hangs low as a heavy silence falls over the back of the bus.

"You're pregnant?" Kehlani asks," by Robert? S-since when?"

I grit my teeth, turning back to Beyoncé," first of all. I wasn't being a hoe. He raped me!"

Everyone's mouths drop open as I feel my eyes burning.

"We were at that foam party and he took advantage of me by drugging me and beating me and raping me. That's why I wasn't coming to school for a long time. And while I was in the hospital, you decided to mess around with Robyn. Which is why I broke up with her. Because you were being a hoe. If anybody should have the title it should be you." I point at Beyoncé, who is looking at me in disbelief.

Everyone's quiet as I turn around and wipe the tears from my eyes. Then something hits me.

I turn around again and ask," and how did you even know I was pregnant and that it was by Robert?"

"I-I was there a-a-"

"You were there... and it just so happens that when I get in the hospital, that you and Robyn fuck. And then Robert disappears."

A gasp comes from someone in the back," she probably put him up to it!"

Beyoncé's eyes grow wide as I stare her down. Red slowly takes over my vision as she tries to stutter a response out, but the sound of rushing air is going through my ears.