It Was Never Meant To Be

The day we met

February 3, 1994

It was a sunny afternoon in Los Angeles, California. I just got out of school and now me and my best friend Cali were walking home. 

"Are you going to go to the practice today? Cali said.

"No, I'm going have to skip today because I have a lot of homework to get to plus I have to stop by Mr. Phillps today" I replied

"Cmon' you're the caption!"

"I know I know"

"What is with you and that place Mik?" She said snickering

"Every Wednesday new packages come in so you know I have to be the first to get a look," I said with attitude 

" OK sassy you gon fight me about cd's and vinyl now"

We both laughed.

We reached out street! She lives 3 houses done from mine>

"Ok bye Cali see you tomorrow at school!"

"Bet, I'll probably come home later to tell you about practice and if we learned anything" 

"Ok thank you peace"

We do our handshake and went our separate ways

I went into my bag and grabbed my key when I tried to put it in the door opened by itself. Not again. I shake my head and walk into the house and close the door behind me. 

"ELEANOR!"

"ELEANOR!"

"ELEANOR!"

Bro where the hell is she? 

I went into her room and there she was past out in the bed. 

Bullshit.

I jumped on top of her

"Wake your ass up Ell!" I yelled while smacking her face!

"IM UP IM UP DAMM GET OFF ME" Ell said while pushing me off.

I fell to the floor

"OWW"

"Oww my ass, you know better than to jump on top of people, especially black people"

"Whatever, you let the door open AGAIN!

Eleanor slowly got up and rubbed her eyes "Oh I did? My bad"

I rolled my eyes "You say the same thing every time"

"I said I'm sorry alright"

"Yeah yeah maybe if your drunk ass wasn't in bed you should know that" I snapped 

As soon as I said that I walked out of the room.  Ell didn't follow me I think she went back to sleep.

I sat at the table and laid out all the work I need to do, I had just finished by 3:30 so I can get going to the store. 

"Ok let's get this going" 

An hour later

I was on the last piece of paper when a rhythm all of a sudden came into my mind. I could hear the beat I can't get it out"

"That doesn't sound right," I say to myself while scratching my temple.

I beatbox the rhythm until it sounded right! 

"Dun, dun dun, dun, dun dun-"

I stopped what I was doing and ran over to get a piece of paper from the living room. 

I started writing down the lyrics that came to mind.

Now I'm just wondering

Why do you think That you can get to me with anything

Seems like you'd know by now when and how I get down And with all that I've been through

I'm still around

Don't you ever make no mistakes, baby I've got what it takes And there's no way

you'll ever gonna get to me ( yeah)

Omg Omg Omg! Did I really just come up with that! I was so excited that I couldn't finish my homework. 

I have to go show  Mr. Philips

~~~~~~~~~~~

Earl Philips (aka Mr. Philips) POV

"Hello, I'm calling to see if you guys are open today?"

"No, I'm sorry we're not today but you can stop by tomorrow or any other day if you would like"

"Ok thank you, sir"

"No problem ma'am have a nice day

"You as well"

I hang up the phone.

I walk over to the blinds to see if he was here yet

"Nope, what's taking take a man so long, he said 2:00 it's 3:20"

I walk over to the new packages that just got delivered and start packing them out. A couple of minutes later I hear knocks at the door I look to see who it is and it's him!

"EARLLL!"

"MICHAELLLL"

We locked hugs. And let go. He got settled in the took off his sunglasses and some sort of hijab that only shows his eyes. 

"How has life been?" Michael said

"It's been very well, I'm surprised it hasn't knocked me off my ass yet" 

We busted out in laughter

"I would ask how you're doing but it seems like your too busy being the King Of Pop" 

"Earl stop it," Michael said laughing"

"So I see the store is keeping up well," Michael said while looking around

"Ah yes, very well-

I stopped as I see and a young man appeared from behind him

"Well hello there, what's your name?" I saw sweetly gesturing out my hand.

"Hi my is TJ," He says shyly.

"Well hi there TJ my name is Earl"

"Oh where are my manners, Earl this is my Nephew"

"Let me guess Tito?"

"How'd you know?"

"Look at the boy, there literally twins"

"True"

"Well look at anything, I'll be in front organizing"

"Okiee Dokie, TJ go look at anything you want ok"

"Ok Mike"

~~~~~~~~

I was on the bus going to show Mr. Philips what I came up with. I was so eager to get there I couldn't wait. 

"Finally my stop," I say quietly.

I got off and look at the paper and turned on Whitney Ave! I was on a mission and nothing was going to stop me! I got to the store and I saw the blinds were closed and the sign said  'Closed'. I walked up to the door and knocked on it!

"Why is no one answering, I can literally see the lights on!"

"Helloooo"

Finally, I see someone coming to the door and I put the paper in my pocket so I can give Mr. Philips a hug.

The door opened

"Mr. Philips you won't believe what happened!"