muse; nasir jones

twenty-two: one man woman

sept. 29, 1993

nas chucked a bouncy ball at the ceiling than caught it once it came back down. clif was across from him snoring. he performed the night before at that club, but some high class nigga in a suit had handed nas a business card before they were back on the train. nas' mind was racing still. school. family. money. music. love?

he'd noticed siya's weird energy since the second it started, but he was already so damn tired and busy; when he asked about it she put on a nonchalant front. he was finally free when he showed up to her dorm yet she had already went off to the library on her own. he stood on the outside of her dorm stunned - chalked it up as a loss than went to smoke in his car.

besides that he was worried. worried about his mother overworking her self. what the hell was jungle doing nowadays? he'd call home, but it hardly ever got answered. how was ant doing? had he recovered fully? was he back on the block?

he caught the bouncy ball with his arm extended in the air. his narrow eyes on the ceiling - a headache coming on.

he thought of calling mrs carter, but they had already spoken on the phone the night before. she was always so encouraging even now; asking if he needed money and if he was sleeping. told him not to trust just anybody cause the music business was just that - a business. despite all the stress he had she always brought him some comfort. her husband seemed pretty cool considering all the phone calls. he planned to visit her over the holidays.

he looked over at the digital clock. a thursday afternoon going to waste. he threw his legs over the edge of the bed standing to his feet. he pulled a sweatshirt over his head and smirked once an idea popped into his head.

he whistled lowly while he strolled through the convenient store. those club appearances were putting a little something in his pocket so he knew he had enough for his schemes. he had candies, flowers, and a plush panda bear with a slight smirk before he stepped to the register.

he made his way to siya's dorm butterflies alive in his stomach. he felt nervous. hopefully whatever was bothering her wouldn't drive a wedge between them. maybe it was school or her overbearing dad. it seemed with every step closer to her building his heart thumped harder. soon enough he was knocking on her dorm window again. he rubbed the nape of his neck waiting anxiously.

"oh hey nas" siya greeted him rubbing her eyes.

"hey si. did i wake you? i came to get you earlier, but-"

"i wasn't supposed to be napping anyways. homework y'know?" she stepped aside allowing him in, "i went for a run than i met with julian in the library so"

he simply nodded at the new information giving her a once over.

"i was wondering what's been up with you to be honest" he cleared his throat, "are you upset with me? is it all the homework? i'm always here to listen"

she broke the eye contact first to look down at her soft pink painted toe nails.

"i don't want to talk about it" she mumbled walking towards her little work desk and moving her books out of the way to lean against it.

"i got you these" he removed the strap of his bag off his shoulder than unzipped it to retrieve the panda bear and flowers. her eyes grew wide and a breathtaking smile spread across her face.

"for me? you didn't have to!" she beamed hugging the bear than kissed his cheek, "thank you nas. this made me feel better"

"welcome" he placed his arms around her petite waist leaning down to kiss her forehead, "was i the reason you were feeling down? i know you don't want to talk about it, but i think i deserve to know that"