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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Next day after rehearsal
"Be careful, it's really hot Jan!" Tina warned Janet as she passed her some green tea with lemon slices
"Thank you." Janet took a few sips
It was the next day after their first rehearsals and the two sat in one of the rooms at Janet's home, watching the sunset. They started to talk.
"So what's up Janet? What's the deal? Things have been insane between Shawn and Imani!" Tina got the conversation started
Janet looked off and stared blankly at the wall in front of her before she spoke.
" I- you have to promise me that this stays between you and I, T. I trust you and I can't have this getting out to the public. I'm not ready."
"You got my word, J. You know I'd never do anything to hurt you." Tina placed her hands over Janet's. There was a short moment of silence before they continued.
"I'm just going to pour it all out to you at once." Janet put done her mug of tea. " Me and Imani have been talking for a while now. Ever since my birthday party actually. We did something that exact same night. So we've been spending a lot of time together and I was done at her house for days before I invited y'all for that party. To make a long story short I like Imani, Imani really likes me, and Shawn is jealous I believe because we were talking about a year and a half ago. Things turned sour between us and she threaten to tell the world I was experimenting with my sexuality so she could keep a job. Me and Shawn really stopped trying to have a relationship because she was so controlling and it got physically abusive between us, unfortunately." Janet paused and allowed Tina to soak in everything she just had told her.
"Wait- so you like women?" she questioned
"Yes I do." Janet quickly responded
Tina looked at Janet for a while as a smirk started to form on her face.
" I always thought you were looking at my butt." Tina burst out laughing
" Oh please, ain't nobody thinking about your butt, T" Janet playfully side eyed Tina
"No I can't believe I didn't notice all of this stuff happening. We be together ALLLLL the time Jan. We've known each other for a while and I've proven my loyalty to you. Why didn't you feel like you could share something like this with me?"
"I just was really scared. I didn't know how you would react. I don't know- I was just so in my head about things and Shawn was a lot to handle so I kept things quiet "
"So when you say things were a little abuse between you and Shawn, what exactly was going on."
"We started to fight almost every night, T. Of course she would be the one to initiate things, but I wasn't going to sit back and allow someone to whoop my ass."
" Wait- because I remember at a certain point I would see bruises and scratches over you and I'd ask but you'd just brush it off." Tina started to put two and two together
"Yea that was all around that time from altercations me and Shawn had. She was super controlling of me and wanted me all to herself. If we were out and it even looked like I was giving another one a look or talking to someone longer than she wanted me to, when we got home it was a problem. She'd immediately jump on me and start trying to choke me and all types of shit." Janet voice started to get shaky
Tina knew that Janet was getting emotional and went to grab some tissue to wipe her eyes.
" Listen dunk, I'm here to support you no matter what because I truly love you and I want the best for you. You deserve the best. I will literally go to war about you and to protect you. Don't you ever forget that." Tina took Janet in and embraced her tightly landing a kiss on her cheek.
" I love You , Tina. Your one of my best friends. If not the only one." Janet laid her head on Tina's lap.
They sat in silence for a moment before they heard a knock on the door.
"You want me to get that?" Tina offered
" Could you please?" Janet lifted her head up
Tina went down stares to the front door and opened it. There was Imani standing with a huge teddy bear and a bouquet of roses.
Short Chapter!!!!!!!!
Lemme know your thoughts on the book as a whole sooo far please🥺🥺💗
