It's summertime in '97 and Imani Nicoles is a young adult learning the ins and outs of life all on her own in this great big world. She's living it how she gets it but aspires to become a professional dancer. What she didn't expect was the opportun...
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"OH SHIT!!!!" Janet shot up, shoving Shawn off of her. She ran over to Imani in attempt to grab her, but was slapped to the ground.
" Aye, what the fuck is wrong with you?!?" Shawn jumped up to see if Janet was alright and to help her up.
" Everybody just get the fuck out!!! NOW!!!! Grab y'all shit and go!" Imani ran her hands through her head trying to calm herself down.
She knew what she was capable of when she was angry. She had already slapped Janet. She didn't want to, but she was extremely hurt from what she walked in on. Her heart raced. She could only see red. So many thoughts ran through her head because she thought she could trust Janet and if they didn't have trust they didn't have nothing.
Janet was silent from here on out. She put her clothes back own and was grabbing her things to leave. Her head remained down the entire time.
Shawn walked over to Imani.
" You need to go over there and fucking apologize to her right the fuck now. What the fuck is actually wrong with you?" She awaited a response from Imani. Nothing. " Do you hear me talking to you, bitch?"
Imani froze trying to figure out if she heard Shawn correctly. Her breath became even more shallow. She was working to maintain her composure even though she wanted to beat Shawns ass. Tina intervened just in time.
" Hey, let's go. Leave her alone." Tina grabbed Shawn so they could leave. " Come on Jan. You alright?" Tina guided Janet towards the door. Right before they headed down the stairs Tina turned to Imani. "What got into you? What even happened?" She waited. " Hey, you don't have to respond right now but you sure do need to figure your shit out, Alright?" We're all grown here." Tina headed downstairs. Janet followed closely behind her. She stopped briefly before going down the stairs completely. Her back still facing Imani.
" I'm- I'm so sorry, locs." She whispered with a little voice crack. She was crying but still trying to keep it together.
Imani didn't utter another word while they were still in her presence. She heard the door close and it was silent. They were gone. She went downstairs to lock the door and headed right back upstairs to her bedroom. She let out a roaring holler. It was full of pain and anger. She went towards her wall and punched it with all her might creating a hole in the wall. Immediately she went on a rampage. Tearing things off her wall, off her desk, her dresser, and her bed.
" I TRUSTED THIS BITCH AND SHE DOES THIS TO ME? I THOUGHT WE HAD SOMETHING TOGETHER. I FELT SAFE WITH HER AND SHE HURT ME SO SOON." Imani slid down her bedroom wall and planted her face right in her hands. Tears came flowing out like a flood. Imani was crying so bad she couldn't even fell herself breathing anymore. She ended up crying herself to sleep.
The sun started to rise and the birds were chirping.
Imani's POV
It was morning now. Everything happened so fast. I don't even know if it was real but looking around my room and seeing the disaster I had caused let me know that it all happened. Part of me felt bad for what I did. To Janet. I never wanted to put my hands on her and in that moment I should've had way more control, but who could really control their feelings that well when they're intoxicated and hurt.
I pulled myself off the floor and went in the bathroom. I looked in the mirror and seen my eyes so puffy and red. I honestly hadn't looked this rough in a while. I took a deep breath and splashed some water on my face before I started my morning face routine.
I turned on some rain sounds to invite peace into my home again. I was going to treat this day as a self-care day. I needed to regroup.
I picked up everything on my bedroom floor and placed it in its rightful spots. I was trying to keep my thoughts up and find a source of happiness but I kept on randomly breaking down in tears. I couldn't believe somebody I gave so much of myself to, in such a short period of time would hurt me like this. I guess that was my problem. Spreading myself so wide for someone I barely even knew on a personal level. I knew it was a risk trying to fall in love with someone BIG in the industry. I tried to put all that aside and look at her as a human being. I didn't want to treat her like everybody else treated her. I wanted to be her freedom and safe space.
I finally finished restoring my room and went downstairs for some water. I got down there and heard my phone ringing. I went back to grab it. I felt my heart start to race. It was her. Janet. Part of me didn't want to pick up the phone. I just wanted to start detaching myself away from her, but the other part of me knew I should communicate my feelings to her the best way I can and I owed her a big apology for putting my hands on her. That was out of character. So, I picked up the phone.
" Hello." I said sternly
" Hi locs. I-"
" Hello? You still there?"
" Uhh- yea i'm still here. I just- I think we really need to talk about somethings. Like- asap because I don't know if what ever we have and us working while being on the road together is going to work if we try to play like this all never happened and address it."
Imani was hesitant to even speak.
" Umm yea I agree. When do you want to do this.?"
" We can do it right now if you'd like. I've been in the area for a while- I actually never left really."
I was surprise she stuck around. What made her do that?
" Okay, thats fine with me. Let me know when you get here."
"Well- I'm already here."
"oh... come up here then."
" Okay, here I come."
" Alright, bye."
"Bye."
It wasn't long before I heard her knocking at my door. I opened it and let her in. She had on this long trench coat on and it confused me a lot because it was pretty warm outside. We headed to the couch and sat down. Not a word was mumbled for minutes. We both stared off. I was ready to start but I didn't know where to begin. But, I also thought since she called me she should open this conversation.
" So, whats up?" I questioned so things could start.
All I seen was Janet stand up and beginning taking off her coat but I was so shocked to see what was under it. She was completely naked. She had on nothing. My mouth dropped.
" This is what's up, baby" She looked at me and started to walk towards me.
