Black-owned business of the day:
Camille Rose

After years of making products for her own family,
Camille Rose was born in 2011 and took off in 2012 with a product line of skincare products ranging from diaper rash cream to nursing mom cream. Each homemade creation held true to the Camille Rose company's mission to produce a line of high-end, gourmet, ingredient-inspired hair and body products that offer clean living beauty solutions to a sophisticated consumer base.

Website: Camillerose.com

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Serenity's POV

It's been a week since I talked to Dominic. I've seen him around campus and he just walks straight past me. It's like we're strangers.

I've tried talking to him but he puts on his AirPods and walks away. Leaving me standing there with a sad look on my face. Saying I was embarrassed was an understatement.

All the nights we stayed up in my dorm and had deep conversations flashed through my head. The time he accidentally ate an eggshell in his breakfast he made for us. And most importantly, those times when he cuddled up to me when I was feeling down.

All of those times. I miss them all.

Today is the day of the presentation and I'm scared. True to his word, Isaiah didn't show up. As everyone shared their projects I could tell him not coming was for the better.

Our project looked like a first-grade painting contest compared to the other kids. He spent so much time flirting with me that he forgot his own name sometimes.

I finally admit to myself that I love him but, I ruined it. I let our friendship go over a partner who ended up being a colorist. I'm not surprised he's ignoring me to be honest.

"Serenity and Isaiah, you're up next." Ms. Trinity screamed for no reason.

His bitch ass not here.

"I'm sorry but...."

"I'll be her partner for today"

Dominic said as he walked down the stairs. I looked at him in awe as he gave her one of his white smiles. She instantly fell into his trap as she discreetly started to unbutton her blouse.

Dominic has that effect on people. I've almost asked him to rail me many times but, I had to hold back.

His charm is strong enough to make your parents get a divorce. That's why most of my aunts keep asking my grandma about him and the next time he's coming to visit.

"Are you in this class? I don't remember seeing a handsome man like you in any of my periods"

"I'm actually in your sixth period. I'm just coming in early to present because I won't be here later. I hope you don't mind"

"You already know I don't mind that. Just make sure you start sitting in front of the class from now on."

I wanted to rip her head off. She's hitting on my man even though he's not my man. I will find out where she leaves and shit on her front porch.

I watched Dominic as he presented a project he didn't practice for. He talked about everything Isiah and I was supposed to cover. I guess him eavesdropping on Isaiah and I was for the better. He knew my project more than I did.

Throughout the whole project Ms. Trinity was staring at Dominic. I'm pretty sure she didn't hear a word that came out of his mouth let alone what I was saying. It's a good thing for me though, I messed up so many times and I added in a few words that didn't even make sense.

"You guys did amazing. Dominic, can you by any chance stay after class. I have business to discuss with you"

Dominic shivered but nodded his head. Once we were dismissed Dominic ran out the door. I had to speed walk to catch up with him.

I repeatedly called his name but, he just kept walking. In my attempt to get his attention I threw my bag at his head. I watched as his head almost snapped to the side.

Maybe if he would stop and talk to me this wouldn't happen.

"Are you crazy Serenity? You almost broke my neck"

I could've broken your neck by sitting on your face but no, you wanted to be stubborn.

"I just wanted to talk to you. Please just listen"

"What can you possibly say that's worth me hearing?"

I love you.

"Nothing, nothing at all." I walked away from him in a hurry.

I feel like I'm a burden to him. Like he wants nothing to do with me but I'm forcing him to speak with me. I decided to fall back, no way I'm going to go crazy trying to get his attention anymore.

How the hell did I fall in love with him? I didn't plan on being this deep in but, here I am. He's not even giving me butterflies anymore, it's just straight high blood pressure.

As my day came to an end I decided to visit La-Shawna. I haven't talked to her since we got back from break. We talk here and there but not too in-depth.

I was instantly hit with the smell of grease when she opened the door. She's always throwing down in the kitchen every i come over. I come at the right time.

"What we eating tonight?"

"I'm making a hibachi dinner. I don't know what you're gonna eat though"

She joked as she got back to the kitchen. Her stove was covered by a portable hibachi grill. She had all the ingredients needed to start making dinner scattered around the grill. Her noodles and rice were already finished, making me excited I was one step closer to filling up my stomach.

I was getting ready to take a seat when she pulled me up by my hoodie. She handed me pair of gloves and got forced me to get started on the dinner with her. I was handed a bowl of shrimp to devein and behead.

As I helped with dinner my mind wandered off to Dominic. Today he seemed so detached from his surroundings. The usually talkative person I've grown to love was socially distant and quiet.

"You look like there's a lot on your mind, what's up?"

"It's just Dominic. He's ignoring me"

"I'm listening"

That's when I started to vent. I have no one to talk to so I told her everything I've been holding inside. Not having a lot of friends makes you value the ones you do have.

When I vent I make sure to tell all sides of the story. I never just tell my side because I always want to know if I'm in the wrong. I vent for another point of view, not people who will side with me even though I I'm wrong.

"You did Dominic dirty. How are you gonna choose someone you've only known for hours over him? I see why he's mad. Imagine if roles were a switched and he ditched you to hang out with some random girl."

I don't blame him for ignoring me for this long. He felt like I betrayed our friendship. Like I took someone else's side over his. The look on his face when he left my apartment is still in my head.

I have to make it up to him. After I eat my dinner though.

I stood in silence as I heard La-Shawna tell me about her week. She talks to her family everyday around the same time so they won't worry about her. Her speaking so fondly of her family makes me miss my parents and grandparents.

The grill started sizzling as she threw chunks of steak and shrimp in the olive oil. She quickly took a step back when the flame got too big.

I watched as she skillfully cooked the seafood and meat. My mouth started watering as the once gray shrimp started turning pink. The juices from the steak seeped into the shrimp on the grill, adding more flavor to the food.

"And, we're done"

I dramatically plopped myself on the nearest chair, taking a deep breath. All that standing and chopping vegetables has taken a toll on me. My knees are already fifty years old, now my back is sixty.

I stacked my plate with shrimp and steak then I went on to take multiple spoons full of egg fried rice and noodles. I took a few vegetables to add color to my plate.

"You better eat your food before I have it as seconds"

"I'm just distracted. What if he doesn't want to talk to me anymore?"

"You'll get over it. It's gonna be your fault since you made the wrong decision. He's just a snotty nose boy you met this year. He's built like a noodle anyways."

The piece of steak I was eating flew out my mouth and on the table. La-Shawna and I looked at the steak than at each other. The room was dead silent for a hot minute.

"Pack up your food and go because at this point you have rubber teeth"

I laughed as I cleaned up the table. The rest of the dinner went great. We binge-watched Everybody Hates Chris as we occasionally took a bite of food. The show has us hooked.

She even decided to help me with the Dominic situation. Since I wasn't that good at baking she helped me bake him a cake.

I lied when I said I was going to fall back but, I lied. The boy is mine.

"Good luck with your man"

"He's not my man"

"Yet. I see the way he looks at you. He's in love with you girl"

In love with me?

Those words rang in my mind as I walked to his dorm. Maybe I'm not the only one who feels this way.

He has been pursuing me since we first met but, I ignored him. Now that I love him, he doesn't want anything to do with me. I regret not taking his feelings seriously from the jump.

I tried knocking on his door but, I just stood there frozen. For some reason, I don't know the next step. I know I'm supposed to knock on the door but, I'm scared.

Going against my better judgment, I knocked on the door. I didn't hear any movement behind the door nor did anyone answer me. I was going to walk away when something caught my eyes.

"Dominic I can see your feet under the door"

"I'm not home"

"I bought cake"

The door unlocked immediately. His head peeked from behind the door, taking a look at the cake. I tilted it towards him so he can see I'm not lying to him.

'Sorry I'm a shit person', was written in blue icing. Sprinkles littered the cake, pulling together the message of how sorry I was. There was icing all over the plate since it was poorly decorated.

"You can come in I guess. Leave the cake on the table on your way out"

"I'm sorry Dominic. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings"

He stood there in silence as I placed the cake on the table. I felt uneasy under his gaze. I hate when people stare at me. I don't know what's going on in their head when they look at me for so long.

I expected him to speak to me but, he didn't. He pulled me by the waist and slammed his lips against mine. He held the back of my neck as he deepened the kiss. My eyes stayed wide open as he tried to push his tongue in my mouth.

Finally granting him his request, I opened my mouth. Our tongues wrestled for control as I felt Dominic backing us on the couch. He laid on top of me, almost crushing me under his weight.

I felt his hand at the bottom of my shirt, taking it off. His hands instantly went to my boobs, squeezing them with urgency. His hands reached behind me trying to unbuckle my bra.

As we were in our little worlds, I heard something shatter. The cake I worked hard to make ended up falling on the floor. We pulled apart for the first time since we started kissing. I picked up the cake and placed it back on the table.

The once decent cake looks dirty with hair now decorating the top. The vibrant blue icing mixed with the white creating a blob of incoherent words.

"You kissed me"

"I couldn't help it. You came here looking all cute and Innocent with a cake In your hands"

I took a deep breath then took a seat. We've already passed the friends stage and there's no going back now. That's the main reason why I didn't want to tell him how I feel. I don't want to lose our friendship.

As I looked into his eyes I knew things were going to change between us.

Either for better or for worse.