RED PARALLEL

Chapter 57: If This Is Where We're At, Then This Is How We Do

Song: The Message, by The Grandmaster Flash.

"And the key was there: we both started as janitors in a gym. There were dance classes on afternoons and nights, and we were simply marveled. Meppo was the first to show his feelings. "Bro, I wanna be a dancer," he said. I don't recall what I said back there, but one thing was true: something felt pretty hot in my chest and it wasn't anger."

It was funny to see G.Klo' so emotional. The big serene man was now some kind of shining bear.

"What I wouldn't do to see my brother chase dreams and be happy. He had a pure spirit that, frankly, I see it in all of you, boys."

Aaron chuckled. "Daaad, why you're complimenting us? 'Course we got the vibe! We the shit, papa. We know that."

"And also, you are all very cocky," G.Klo added, smirking. That man was super damn shining, for real. Traviz was impressed. Nate and Aaron did a high-five as if they had just won a bet. Traviz wished he could do a high-five, too. Not to worry, because Aaron threw him a happy wink, showing that the 'lil bro' was part of the team.

G.Klo' continued.

"Little I knew that dance would captivate me, too. We would work as janitors during weeks, peeking from behind the walls and watching people dance, and then we'd 'practice' at home, with our recently bought mini stereo. Soon, we took the courage to watch dance battles, and we both became the-"

"The Fantastic Duo!" Aaron exclaimed, interrupting G.Klo', raising his arms. Aaron was back to his normal high chillax spirit. "Hehe..."

"Yes, The Fantastic Duo," G.Klo' shook his head, chuckling. "I know, sounds a little lame, but that's what we had at the time. And people loved us, I cannot lie. And we had the nicknames, obviously: G.Klo' and Mope."

"So you wouldn't be recognized by the dark gangstas," Traviz said quickly.

"Boys, dance is something amazing, isn't it? And I had no idea at the time what was best, to dance or to watch the crowd of dancers cheering and talking and learning with each other. Meppo was so happy. One day, he said, "Dance is the best thing in the world. Why some people don't get it?" And I don't remember what I said, but one way or another, we ended up with an idea."

An idea?

"I gathered some friends and called them out to battles. Not in the streets, but in our house. This house."

"You guys did battles here in The Crib?! Yo..."

"Yes. Anyone who wanted to dance could go to our house. Meppo and I saved money and we bought a nice stereo."

"T-that one? I mean, the one at the living-"

"Yes, son."

"Woah. That's fucking old! Sorry."

"No problem. But in the beginning, people thought it was weird. On the first months, no one would go."

Why? That's sad.

"But I kept trying. I told them about the stereo, about the opportunity to dance when it was raining, that the acoustic was better, that no police officer would ask them to leave the streets, and the most thrilling thing: anyone who wanted to crash here for a night was invited as long as they brought their food and some peace and energy."

Peace and energy. Ha, that's so Daddy G...

"We spread the word and in a few months, the house was crowded. Each one with their meal, doing a big mess, dancing, the stereo playing all day long. The house got so crowded that I had to set a rule."

Like, 'no shampoos'? Haha...

"We'd go back to the streets and the battle's winner would crash here. Every two days we'd battle. One day, a guy had just come here and asked "So, what's the name of this place? I still don't know!" I said, "I'd like to call it Liberty, but I think it's lame. After all, this is just a crib, ya know.""