Page 5 of Beyond The Stars

Feeling like the least she could do was give him the night of his life for the amount of money he paid, Siasia agreed, “I’ll go wherever you take me.”

“My girl.” He smiled, showing off his perfect teeth. “What’s your name, anyway?”

“Siasia.”

“I like that. It’s unique.”

“So is Qamar.” Her eyes sparkled with a flirty laughter. “What does it mean?”

“It’s Arabic for moonlight,” he explained before pulling the passenger door open. “Get in.”

“Don’t be bossing me around.” Siasia rolled her neck playfully.

The car sat so low, she had to lean down to get into it. The leather was as soft as cotton and the seat warmers aided in the cozy vibe. Shimmying, she contained her squeal of being in such an expensive car. Leaning across the middle console, she pushed the door open for him, causing a shocked expression to cross his face.

Qamar couldn’t contain his own glee. No girl had ever done something so small, yet so meaningful for him. The gesture felt enormous and warmed his pecan-colored skin, showing his flushed cheeks. Needing to shake himself out of the weird fog he found himself in, he licked his lips—something he did often to cool his body down. It was his personal little quirk.

“You got the seat warmed for me like you knew I would take a ride with you,” Siasia teased. “Your car is nice, though.”

“I like yours too.”

“Oh, you trying to be funny?”

He grinned. “Nah! I’m dead ass. I like the simple shit.” He laughed, placing his hand on his stomach.

“But you’re driving a hundred-thousand-dollar car on a college campus… yea, you’re real humble.”

He studied her, wanting to ask what she called the hairstyle she sported. It looked like a wrap but had cute and colorful hairpins around it. It was so eclectic and paired well with her round face and fresh style.

“Damn.” He palmed his chest. “You judging?”

Before she could respond, the sound of her phone ringing cut off her reply. Her eyes bucked when she noticed her little sister’s name flash across the screen.

“Noodle?” Siasia answered, pushing the car door open. Her stomach clenched before she knew what the issue was. A few seconds passed before she said, “I’m on the way. Go to your hiding spot, Noodle.”

“Everything okay?” Qamar’s asked concerned.

Siasia didn’t respond. She pushed the money he’d just given her into his lap. “I have to go.”

“Nah, that’s for you, mama.”

“To fuck you… I can’t fuck you tonight, Qamar.”

Hearing her confess to what Drake told him she was, cut his heart. Lightly, Qamar gripped her arm. “That ain’t what it was for. Take the money and drive safe, Siasia.”

Her slanted eyes seared into his, searching for a flaw. Her heart galloped in her chest when she didn’t find one. “I don’t take handouts, Qamar.”

“Good because I don’t hand shit out.”

That brought a smile to her disheveled face. Nodding, she exited his car, praying her car cranked up on the first try. Relief filled her when it didn’t show out in front of company.

Siasia tapped the horn when she pulled off, speeding to get home to her little sister.

Pulling up to her trailer, she heard loud voices and cries. It was the norm for her but it hadn’t hardened her heart to the point of being unfazed. Siasia still prayed for a better life for her mother, no matter how strained their relationship had become. She killed the engine, tucked the money in her glove compartment, and got out. The closer she got to the stained front door, the louder her mother’s cries became. That wasn’t her concern at the moment though. Noodle, her little sister, whose blood couldn’t make them any thicker was all she was worried about at the moment.

“I need that money for the light bill, Stacy!” Siasia’s mama, Cynthia, yelled before her voice became muffled.

Peering into the small kitchen, Siasia shook her head at Stacy’s hand around Cynthia’s neck. It took everything in her to not clock him upside the head with something. The last time she did it, her mother got so pissed at her. After that, Siasia made sure she kept her hands to herself. Directing her focus to her left, she walked towards the room she shared with Noodle. They had outgrown the two-bedroom trailer the second they stepped foot inside. Then, when Stacy brought Noodle home, it got even more cramped. At ten years old, Siasia took one look at Noodle and realized she loved her as if her mother birthed her herself.

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