Salt & Pepper

The Concert

"Jon, come on! We about to be late for the concert!" Mike shouted from our dorm door.
"Hold up! I forgot my ID!" I shouted back.

Why is it that every time people have to go somewhere, they can't find their ID? I need to be more responsible. Anyways, Jon's the name and I always play a dangerous game. Ok, yeah, that was corny, but I'm still trying to live up to my alter ego self as a rapper. I'm in my senior year of college and about to graduate in a couple of weeks. The fellas wanted to go out to a Throwback Concert in Atlanta. I'm more of a homebody kind of guy, but the line up was the motivation. They had TLC, Usher, OutKast, Ciara, TI, and Ludacris performing tonight. This is my last semester in school and I truly did not want to miss this.

"Nigga! We are about to be late!" Mike shouted bursting in my room.
"Damn! Let's go!" I said following behind him.

We jumped in our UBER and headed for the Mercedes Benz Stadium. The streets were loud and busy. The niggas were prowling and the hoes were walking. Mike rolled down the window and catcalled out to a girl.

"Ay yo ma! You gonna sit with me tonight?!" Mike yelled.
"Eww!" The girls groaned, then laughed.

I told him not to do that. He rolled up the window and put his head down in embarrassment.

"Now, what did we learn?" Kev joked.
"Shut the fuck up." Mike mumbled.
"Right, you learned to shut the fuck up. Now, get your mind right for this concert."

Kev, Kevin, is Mike's older brother. They always at each other's neck. Crazy thing is they are twins in a weird way. They're moms had them on the same day except Kev came in hour before Mike did. Don't ask me how that works. You will have to ask them about their origin story. I kept looking out the window and seeing all of these people walking around. The ladies were looking good and the men were dressed down. Kev and Mike knew I was gay and have beat up a few weirdos in the past. I appreciate their loyalty and respect.

"Alright, here we are! Y'all enjoy the show!" The UBER driver said.

We got out the car and walked up to the ticket counter. People were coming from all over trying to get into this concert. Folks were selling tickets and apparels for the show. Mike being that nigga had to go and buy a t-shirt. It's his money and I'm not going to tell him that they spelled concert wrong either. They scanned and searched us before going in. I forgot I had my pocket knife in my windbreaker. The security guard was cool and told me to come back for it later. We went in and that's when shit got real.

Kev and I got some drinks, then went to go find out seats. Mike was trying to holler at some girl at the counter complaining about the expensive food. That's why you got to balance your money or you end up like her. Spending your last on a ticket, but cannot afford a drink or food. Mike might make her happy tonight and buy her what she wants.

"Omg! Jon! Over here!" A voice yelled from the crowd.
"Is that Kedria?" Kev asked.
"Oh shit! It is!" I said moving over to them.
"Y'all made it! It's about to be lit!" Kedria shouted raising her drink in the air.

Kedria is my cousin and she's here with her finance, Brian. They are getting married this summer in Cancun. They wanted a destination wedding hutch is pretty dope since I don't have to pay anything. My folks got me my own room as a grad present which is fine with me. I don't have to share with my annoying little brother. We got settled and Mike found us with his new girl of the night. The lights start to dim and the DJ switched the music and out walks Jermaine Dupree as the host! He introduced Ciara and the crowd goes crazy when 1,2 Step. It felt like we were back in the early 2000s when each performer came out. When they got to Monica, I couldn't hold it any longer. I had to go piss. When she started to sing "For You I Will" I left.

The bathrooms were packed and I was about to burst. I ran to the near stairway and released everything I had in the corner. Yeah, I know that was ignorant and irresponsible to do, but I wasn't about to piss myself. I got it together and checked for no security in sight. When I heard "So Gone" about to play, I broke out the door without thinking. Then, BAM! I go straight for the pavement. I rolled over in pain and vision started to come back to me. People rushed over to me and helped me up. I shook my head and cleaned myself off, then looked to see what happened. Shit! I ran into this older guy. He was wearing a white button down shirt that is red now from spilling his drink. I felt so bad and reached my hand out to help him.

"I'm so sorry, sir." I said with remorse.
"Goddammit! Look at my shirt!" He shouted. I gave him some napkins.
"I am truly sorry. I didn't see you there." I said. "I can get you another drink."
"Fuck the drink! My shirt is ruined!" He yelled angrily as he blots his shirt. "You need to pay-"

He stopped and looked at me. I was frozen because I didn't know if he was about to punch me or yell at me some more. He blot his shirt a couple more times and hands me back the unused napkins.

"I'm sorry about shouting at you. Accidents happen." He said.
"No it's my fault. I didn't pay attention and that's on me." I said watching him clean hisself.
"Yea, you're right." He said throwing away the napkins. "Listen you enjoy the show."
"Are you sure you're good?" I asked again trying to keep him for a few more minutes.
"Nah, it's fine. Thanks for helping me." He said as he walked away putting his hand on my shoulder.

I could've just melted right there. He touched me. Damn that man is so fine. I truly believe God has favorites and he's blessed me with one of them. I was so dazed that I didn't even hear Monica's song coming to an end. I slowly walked back to my seat and sat down. Everyone was so hyped that they didn't even noticed I came back.

"Jon, you missed you're song!" Kedria shouted giving me a hug.
"I know. I'm pissed." I said fake upset.
"Aw. I'll sing it to you." Kedria said clearing her voice.
"Key, I'm already pissed. Don't make me livid." I said with a smile.
"Boy, you know I can sing." She said standing up.
"If you call a dying cat screech singing, then you got the number one spot." I laughed.

Kedria opened her mouth and tried to sing out loud. The people in front of turned around in disgust. Brian had to stop her from embarrassing us. The stadium was loud enough, but that voice could kill the aliens in space.

We heard a few more performers and the show came to an end. We left before traffic got bad. As we pulled up to a stop light, a black truck stopped next to us. I looked over and it was him. He was listening to music with his window down. I was hoping he saw me and he did. He smiled and when the light turned green, he rolled up the window and drove off. For some reason, I feel like I'm gonna see him again. Hell, I hope so.