Darmiel’s eyes remained fixed on Melvin, his knuckles whitening as he clenched his fists. The air between them was thick with an unspoken challenge.
“Babe, let’s go?” Ameelah pleaded, her hands tightening around Darmiel’s arm. She saw the dangerous glint in his eyes and she didn't want him getting into a fistfight on the very first day of the semester.
Giving Melvin one last fierce, lingering look, Darmiel finally nodded. They walked away, leaving Melvin standing there—first laughing in mockery, then fuming with a silent, raging fire.
In his mind, Darmiel was savoring a secret victory. He was laughing at Melvin because he had already won the ultimate prize. He had Ameelah.
The next few months were the happiest of Ameelah’s life. Darmiel never failed to surprise her, finding ways—both s
