Luxe by Ashley Antoinette

just the prelude to the show. Noah had swung first; there would be another bout to follow. Niggas in jail had reputations to uphold and something to prove. The hierarchy was based on your manhood and respect. Noah had just tested both of those and he knew there would be repercussions. It didn’t matter to him. However and whenever the nigga wanted to do it, Noah would be ready.
    â€œYou haven’t even been here a week, Langston, and already you’re at it,” the CO huffed as he tossed Noah back into his cell. He didn’t respond. He hadn’t been there long, but one thing he had learned was that nobody spoke to the guards. He could have easily shifted the blame, since he hadn’t actually started the confrontation, but he said nothing. He simply mugged the guard as he watched the door shut. The click of the locks made his stomach turn. It was a cruel reminder that he couldn’t just walk out of there anytime he wanted. He was a slave to this modern-day plantation and he hated it. He turned to find an envelope sitting on his bed. It was opened—normal procedure, as the guards had to inspect every single package that came for inmates. He snatched it off of the concrete slab and read the front. Seeing Bleu’s name on the front, he opened it hurriedly, eager to hear from her. He had told her to stay away for her own good. It was just like her to be hardheaded, but today he was grateful to hear from her. He missed her like shit. After seeing her every day for years, her sudden absence felt foreign. Maybe that’s why he had so much pent-up anger. His happiness had been forced out of his life. Now they were walking down two drastically different paths, his much more difficult.
    He took a deep breath and took a seat as he flipped open her letter.
    Noah,
    I know you told me you didn’t want to hear from me, but you had to know that I would reach out to you. You’re my best friend and I miss you. I know I got weird with the “I love you” stuff. I don’t know where that even came from. I’ve been through a lot. I don’t know, just forget that part. I need you, Noah. You’re my friend. The only person I have, and I just want to know that you’re okay. As bad as your situation is, I feel like a brat for even thinking of being ungrateful about mine. I did it. I made it to Cali. I haven’t even been here a full day yet and I already want to come home. Everything is so … well … it’s different here. The chicks are different. They talk different and walk different. My roommate, I went through her closet and I swear her clothes cost more than my tuition. I’m out here with jeans and tank tops while the glamorous people are turning up their noses around me. I don’t know. I just thought it would be different. I pictured a campus full of hungry students grinding toward the same goals, but these kids are definitely not starving. They drive BMWs and they don’t eat at the cafeteria. They are spoiled. Like some for real 90210 shit. I guess I’m just out of my element, but then again, to you I probably sound crazy. You’re stuck in there and I’m out here. The fact that I can’t see you or touch you or hear your voice makes me sick. I don’t know why you pushed me away, but I’m not going anywhere. Even if you never write me one letter, I’m going to send them to you regardless. I know you’re scared. You’ll never admit it, but I know you. You’re as hard as they come, but who wouldn’t be terrified of being sent away? You don’t have to be hard with me. I just want you to be okay. I’m so sorry, Noah. I really am. You don’t deserve this. I hate even thinking about you inside a steel box. Stay strong, and if you ever need me I’m here. I don’t have any money, but when I do finally come up I’ll bless your books. I promise.
    Love always,
B
    The letter tugged at Noah. He