Page 66 of Set me Free

“I want you with me on draft day SB, right by my side.”

“Creed, I don’t know,” She replied. “Do you really think I’m ready to be in the same room as your mom? Last time I saw her she didn’t look too pleased to see me.”

I knew Tasha wasn’t thrilled about Serenity, but I didn’t give a fuck. Not having her by my side on the biggest day of my life wasn’t an option.

“Don’t even care. This is the next step in my journey and it’s only right I have the one person I love the most by my side.”

“Stop trying to butter me up.You getting some as soon as you get back anyway.”

“Oh, I wasn’t concerned about that. You belong to me now.”

“Good, I’m glad you know that.”

17

SERENITY

My heart pounded as I stood backstage, stretching out my limbs, trying to ease the tightness in my muscles. This was it. The final performance of my freshman year.

Monty was calm, sitting nearby, rolling his shoulders back, but I knew him well enough to see the anticipation in his posture.

"You good, Serenity?" he asked, eyeing me as I exhaled deeply.

"Yeah," I muttered, nodding my head. With how hard I was nodding; I felt like my head was going to separate from my neck. "Just... ready to get this over with."

I had done this a thousand times before from the age of 6 years old until now. Had performed in front of some important people, it was how I had gotten accepted into Tisch in the first place. But also because I had been a part of Thee Debbie Allen’s dance Academy. Was chosen by Debbie Allen herself to play the lead in her black Nutcracker production during my sophomore year. But tonight, it felt different.

Because Creed was here. And the last time he saw me dance with Monty, he had flipped the hell out.

I knew the routine was sensual—every move choreographed to match the intensity of Jill Scott’s ‘He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)’—but this wasn’t about anyone else. This was about me. My grade and my talent.

I had something to prove.

The moment I stepped under the stage lights, I felt it, the nerves, the rush, the anticipation—all fading into focus.

The music swelled, and suddenly, there was nothing but the rhythm. Monty and I moved in perfect unison, our bodies flowing with every beat, every lyric, every shift in tempo. The chemistry was undeniable—but it wasn’t romantic…It was art. And when we hit the final pose, holding it for the last lingering note of the song— the audience erupted.

I blinked, breathing heavily, chest rising and falling as I stared at the crowd as we did our final bow. And then I saw him. My homie, my lover, my friend, Creed. He was on his feet smiling, clapping, and yelling louder than anyone else.

Arielle, Averi and Egypt were right next to him, screaming like they had lost their minds, while Brodie, Trent and Donovan stood beside them, clapping with their usual chill demeanor. My entire friend group was showing out. And Creed? He was the loudest of them all.

I didn’t know why, but seeing him happy, proud, completely unbothered made my chest tighten in the best way possible.

I had barely changed into my jeans and cropped top before I found my friends in the audience, slipping into the empty seat next to Creed as we waited for Egypt and Averi’s performance. They were backstage now, I’d made sure to stop by and pray with them, same as they had done for me earlier in the night. Before I could say anything, Creed leaned over, his lips grazing my ear.

"You ate that shit up, baby." His voice was low, deep, and thick with something I couldn’t name.

I smirked, still catching my breath. "You think so?"

"Nah, I know so," he murmured. "And we gon’ need to talk about you dancin’ like that for me. Privately."

I chuckled, tilting my head toward him. "Oh yeah? You want a private show?"

His hand slid onto my thigh, his fingers grazing my skin. "I want a lot of shit, Beautiful. And I know you gon’ make it happen."

I shivered slightly, knowing he was right.

"One day," I whispered, teasing. “Soon.”

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