Chapter 20

Selena wasn't the type to fight over a man—but this wasn't even about Von anymore. This was about respect.

Keelah had been talking way too crazy, like she thought Selena was some weak, scary girl who would just sit back and take it. And that wasn't happening.

She pulled up to Ray's spot first, knowing she couldn't slide alone. Ray was already outside, pacing.

"Girl, are you sure about this?" Ray asked, watching as Selena put the car in park.

Selena cut the engine and stepped out. "I'm not about to let her play with me. Either she shuts up, or I shut her up."

Ray exhaled. "Shit. Aight then."

They hopped in Ray's car, the music low as Ray sped toward Sherwood. The whole ride over, Selena's heart pounded—not from fear, but from adrenaline.

Ray pulled into a gas station near Keelah's area and parked. "She stay a few streets over," Ray said, checking her phone. "She just posted at her homegirl's house—same place she was going live from."

Selena smirked. "Perfect."

Five minutes later.

Selena and Ray pulled up to the house, music off, tension thick in the air. A few girls were outside, posted up near a white Charger.

Selena didn't hesitate. She hopped out, her slides hitting the pavement, her confidence on full display.

Keelah was sitting on the hood of the car, scrolling her phone, but when she looked up and saw Selena standing there? That cocky smirk disappeared.

"Oh, so you bold bold," Keelah said, sliding off the car.

Selena tilted her head. "You had all that to say online. Say it now."

Keelah scoffed, stepping up. "Girl, ain't nobody scared of you. You coming all the way over here for a nigga?"

Selena laughed, shaking her head. "This ain't even about him. This about you knowing your place. You talkin' real reckless like I'm some internet bitch who won't handle you in real life."

The girls around them started hyping it up. "Ooooh, not knowing your place—"

Keelah's expression twisted. "Girl, if you don't—"

Before she could finish, Selena swung.

CRACK.

Her fist connected clean with Keelah's face, sending her stumbling back against the car. The whole street erupted, people jumping up, phones coming out, but Selena wasn't done.

Keelah lunged, but Selena was quicker, grabbing her by the hair and slamming her to the ground. A blur of hands, nails, and swinging fists followed, Keelah trying to claw back, but Selena had already snapped.

By the time Ray pulled her off, Keelah was on the ground, breathing heavy, makeup smeared, hair yanked loose from her bun.

Selena adjusted her slides, breathing hard. "Now, you done?"

Keelah wiped her mouth, glaring. But she wasn't running her mouth no more.

Ray grabbed Selena's arm. "Aight, we out."

Selena turned without another word, sliding back into the passenger seat. As Ray pulled off, Selena caught her breath, chest still rising and falling.

Ray looked over and shook her head. "Yeah... she ain't saying shit else."

Selena smirked, wiping a speck of blood from her knuckle. "Good."

By the time Selena got back to her apartment, her phone was blowing up.

Ray had barely pulled off before people started posting the fight. The blogs got it fast, and now clips were flooding Instagram and Twitter.

"NEW GIRL IN BATON ROUGE AIN'T SCARY! Keelah finally got pressed after running her mouth, and let's just say... it wasn't in her favor 😭😂"

— Nahhh Selena really beat her ass and walked off like a movie character.

— Keelah was talking WAAAAY too much to get handled like that.

— Von somewhere smiling like a mf lmao

— Keelah gotta move out the city after this.

Selena threw her phone on the bed, letting out a long breath. She wasn't even the type to be in mess, but she felt no regrets.

That girl had asked for it.

Her phone buzzed again. Another call.

Von.

Selena stared at the screen before finally answering. "What?"

A deep chuckle came through the line. "Damn."

She rolled her eyes. "Damn what?"

Von exhaled, but she could hear the smirk in his voice. "You really just went and handled that."

Selena climbed into bed, stretching her legs out. "What was I supposed to do? Let her keep talking?"

Von was quiet for a moment before saying, "I told you she wasn't gon' stop."

Selena scoffed. "Well, she stopped now."

Von let out another low chuckle. "Yeah... she did."

Selena sighed, rubbing her temples. "Now my name all over them damn blogs."

Von's voice turned serious. "You good, though?"

She hesitated, caught off guard by the concern in his tone. "...Yeah."

"You sure?"

Selena exhaled. "I mean, I ain't planning on fighting the whole city. I just needed to shut her up."

Von was quiet again, and then his voice dropped lower. "You really bout it, huh?"

Selena smirked slightly. "I told you I don't do drama. But if you bring it to me? I'ma handle it."

Von chuckled again. "Yeah... I see that now."

She could hear the approval in his tone, and for some reason, it made heat creep up her neck. She shook her head, clearing her thoughts. "Anyways, I need to shower."

Von let out a slow breath. "You wanna see me later?"

Selena hesitated. She had been ready to cut him off, to walk away from the drama. But now, she wasn't even sure if she wanted to.

"...Maybe."

Von chuckled. "I'll take that."

Selena smirked. "Goodnight, Von."

He paused before saying, "Goodnight, lil' badass."

She hung up, shaking her head, but she couldn't stop the small smile creeping onto her lips.