sound of your heart

3

"They were aight." I laughed, taking a step to the left when Beyoncé lightly swatted my arm. 

They were not! Admit it, they were amazing. Beyoncé placed her hands on her hips and stared at me expectantly. I could tell she was stubborn, but so was I. Hopefully our personalities didn't clash too much. 

Shawn. She pouted and I smiled.

"Okay, okay. They were amazing." I chuckled and stuffed my hands in my pockets as we walked down the street. "Do you have anywhere to be right now?" I asked, glancing at Beyoncé. I grinned when she shook her head and started planning my next move. 

No, but if we do something else I need to stop by my apartment first and drop my stuff off. She said, wiggling the arm that had her bag hanging on it. To me it looked like an oversized purse with too much s**t in it, but I wasn't gonna say nothing. It did look heavy as f**k though. These books are heavy, and I'd rather not tote them around the city. 

"Here." I gently grabbed Beyoncé and turned her sideways so I was able to slide the bag off her shoulder. She bit her lip, trying to hide her smile from me, but the dimple still popped out. I chuckled. "Where do you live? We can stop by your place before we head to our next spot." 

Tribeca. Beyoncé stated. I looked around and nodded, we weren't too far but I wasn't sure if Bey would rather take a cab. 

"You wanna walk or get a cab?" I asked her. 

Let's walk. The weather is really nice today. Beyoncé smiled. I nodded in agreement and wrapped my arm around Beyoncé's shoulder as we walked down the street. She glanced up at me and I winked back. 

"You have beautiful eyes." I noticed while we were waiting at a crosswalk. Beyoncé blushed and looked away from me, making me laugh softly. "You do! I mean, you're beautiful all over but your eyes caught my attention." I told her. 

Such a charmer. Beyoncé mumbled, gently smacking my chest. I shrugged, smirking a little. That I was. But thank you, Shawn. That's very sweet.

"You're welcome, Bey." I kissed her temple and smiled in amusement when she blushed again. She was cute as f**k man, I couldn't get enough. 

We walked for about ten more minutes, talking aimlessly about random s**t until we got to Beyoncé's apartment. I was glad to see she lived in what seemed to be a pretty safe neighborhood, so that was one less thing I'd have to worry about. I still kept close to her anyway, just in case a nigga tried anything. 

I kept my arm loosely around Beyoncé's waist as she led me up to her apartment. We rode the elevator up, since she was on the sixth floor and didn't feel like taking the stairs. We stood towards the back and I ran my hand up and down Bey's side while we waited. My hand occasionally slipped under her tank top and I wish I could feel more because her skin was soft as hell! I had a feeling it would be, but damn. 

Right here. Beyoncé stopped in front of the door and pulled her keys out. I waited for her to get the door unlocked before following her inside the apartment. Excuse the mess, I didn't think I would be having company. She stated while tossing her bag on the couch. 

"This is really nice." I commented while looking around. It was nice and spacious, very modern looking. There was hardly a mess, so I wasn't sure what Beyoncé was talking about, but I decided not to say anything about it. One thing I've learned from past relationships is that women are (almost) always right, even when they're not, and that I shouldn't question it. So I didn't.

Beyoncé walked back over to me and smiled. Thank you. I've only been living here for a few months, but I like it a lot so far. 

"That's good. This is a good area too, not much crime." I added. Beyoncé nodded. 

That's what I like about it too. New York's crime rate has always bothered me, but this is one of the safest neighborhoods in the city. I can handle it. 

"The crime here has always been bad. For as long as I can remember." I shook my head. "It's pretty shitty, but it's getting better. Most of the violence is senseless anyway. I've tried contributing, making donations and visiting youth centers in the inner city. These kids just need to know someone's looking out for them, so they don't have to turn to gun violence and gang banging. I know what it's like." 

Wow. Beyoncé stared at me in awe. I got a little self conscious and rubbed the back of my head, looking away from her. She tapped my arm a few seconds later and I reluctantly looked back at her, assuming she had something to say. That's an amazing thing you're doing, Shawn. Really. I'd love to visit the youth center sometime. 

"Really?" I asked with a small smile. I spent any time I could down at the youth center, those kids meant a lot to me. I know what it's like to struggle and make bad decisions because you don't have anyone telling you otherwise, and I didn't want that life for them. I wanted to help them before they got tied up in the gangster s**t. 

Really. Beyoncé nodded. I can tell it means a lot to you, so I'd like to see it sometime.

"You wanna go now?" I asked.

Sure! Beyoncé smiled. Just let me freshen up first, and then we can go. 

"Aight." I nodded and watched Beyoncé leave the room. I decided to look around while I waited. 

I glanced at the coffee table and saw a some books neatly stacked. Deciding to be nosey, I took a seat on the couch and went through them. They were mainly educational books, some Shakespeare and Dickinson, but one particular book caught my eye. I set the others back on the table and looked down at the one in my hands with a small smile. 

How To Learn Sign Language For Dummies: The Complete Guide

I chuckled as I flipped through the book, checking out the pages Bey had bookmarked and reading the small notes she had scribbled down. I didn't want to get all touchy, but it meant something to me that she'd try to take the time to learn sign language. I knew it, but most of the people around me didn't, so I rarely used it. 

I saw movement in the corner of my eye and quickly put the book back before she caught me snooping. I stood up and glanced aimlessly around the room while waiting for Bey to return. 

Beyoncé was something else, man. In a good way. 

******

"My man, what's up." I dapped up Keith before pulling him into a hug when I walked in. He was seventeen and one of the many kids I've known for years down here, he reminded me a lot of myself when I was younger. He had big dreams and all the potential, so I was determined to help him achieve them. 

Hey Jay. Keith smiled and looked past me at Beyoncé. Who's this? He smirked. I smacked the back of his head. 

"Keep the bedroom eyes to yourself, little man. Don't make me beat your ass." I warned. Keith quickly held up his hands. 

I was just wondering! He defended. I chuckled and shook my head, reaching behind me to grab Beyoncé's hand. 

"This is Beyoncé." I introduced her, wrapping my arm around her waist again. "Beyoncé, this is Keith." Keith and Bey shook hands while I watched. I placed my hand comfortably on Bey's hip, right above the curve of her ass. I wanted to go lower, but a nigga had to respect boundaries. We weren't that comfortable yet. 

Beyoncé? Keith looked at me before looking back at Bey. Is she your girl? Cause if so, DAMN! 

I rolled my eyes while Beyoncé laughed. I squeezed her waist and glanced down at her with a smile. "Something like that." I winked at Bey and she cheesed back at me. 

"Where's everyone at?" I asked Keith after mine and Bey's little moment. 

The gym. He replied. There's a game of 3 on 3 going on right now. You know how they get. 

"Ahhh, nice." I nodded. The kids here were talented as f**k when it came to basketball (stereotypical black kids right?) but they really blew my mind sometimes. I've sat court side at tons of NBA games, and I knew these kids played better than some of the professionals. It was crazy. If they just got their grades up, they could get the scholarships they needed to get to college. That's what I've been trying to work on with them, but some of these kids just don't have the motivation. 

"You like basketball, Bey?" I asked Beyoncé. She quickly looked at me and nodded. 

I love it. She smiled. Perfect. 

"Aight, come on." I grabbed Beyoncé's hand and led her to the gym. We walked in and sat in an empty spot around the middle of the bleachers. I kept my arm around Beyoncé as we watched the game. "You see the kid in the black tee?" I asked Bey, my lips brushing her ear. There were tons of kids so I knew it was loud, so I had to get close for her to hear me. 

Beyoncé nodded so I continued. "He's been scouted by some of the biggest teams in college basketball. The kid's a beast on the court, but he won't apply himself to his schoolwork. If he doesn't maintain a higher GPA than what he's got now, he'll be throwing away all these opportunities." 

I pulled back to look at Beyoncé's face. She was frowning. Does he need help? She asked. Like, tutoring? Because I could help him if he needs it. 

I shook my head. "You don't have to do that, Bey. That's not why I told you." 

I know, but I want to help. Beyoncé smiled at me. I still wasn't sure though. I could make time to come down here with you and tutor the kids who need it. I am getting my degree in education, after all. This would be great preparation, plus I love helping kids. 

I sighed. "You're amazing, you know that?" I pulled Beyoncé close to me and kissed her forehead. "You've got a real good heart, Bey. I admire that." 

Well, so do you. Beyoncé looked at me knowingly. I want to help these kids just like you, and I think we'd make a great team. That is, if you want to be considered a team. 

"A team with you? Hell yeah." I grinned and made some weird ass noise that made Beyoncé laugh. I loved watching her laugh. Her beauty really was mesmerizing, as cheesy and headass as it sounds. Beyoncé is gorgeous, some of y'all don't even understand. Like it ain't normal to look that good all the time. 

I had to make her mine soon, the thought of another nigga having her just wasn't happening. She was definitely gonna be my girl.