Sunshine Girl (Ryan Upchurch)

Cheatham County

Aaliyahs POV

We stopped at the gas station filling the tank of my 2016 Dodge Ram. We just reached the outskirts of Nashville, about to head toward centennial park. My friends, Hope, Bree, and Emmy Jane, riding in my truck.

"Are the cops still following us?" I asked Hope who volunteered to fill ole Earl up. And yes I did name my truck that.

"No you're safe to get out of the bed. What were you thinking riding out there in downtown?" She hissed at me.

"I'm living my life. Look its my 27th birthday. Let me have some fun." I replied as I noticed Bree stepping out of the truck.

"Want anything?" Bree asked.

"Any snacks and a drink!" I replied. Hope nodded and listed off a couple items while my mind wandered. I noticed a black Ford filling up beside us and I watched as the man behind the pump began filling his tank. I climbed out of the bed of the truck and went to turn up the music. Music kept me lighthearted when I felt I was sinking. A love song played and was immediately skipped until I found something that just spoke to me.

As Ryan Upchurchs music filled my ears I began rapping and singing along to his song. Hope seemed to give me a worried look and began quickly tapping my shoulder pointing to the black Ford beside us.

"What? Whats the big deal? Is he old or something?" I asked.

"Its THE ryan upchurch you ass!" She replied. I watched as he glimpsed over at me and my stomach dropped. I looked away as my anxiety lumped into my throat.

"You're not gonna say anything to him?" Hope asked.

"I'm gonna puke." I replied as I felt my stomach churn. I busted out of the truck and let the wind hit my face. I calmed down a little before I realized he was actually beside me. But my body couldn't move or make a sound. I was so nervous I could hardly breathe. The song suddenly changed and I was ripped from my thoughts.

"Aaliyah we gotta go if were gonna sneak into that park!" Bree yelled out as she held up the bag of snacks.

"Park?" I questioned.

"Centennial duh! You've been wanting to check it out! Lets go!" She replied as she rushed me into the truck before I had the chance to muster up any courage.

We arrived at the park within a few minutes and managed to sneak in. We walked throughout the area and I began dancing and laughing for a few. We spent a few hours there before we decided to go out toward Ashland City to get to our hotel. It was still early in the night and we decided we should stop and get some food.

I noticed a bar and restaurant that was a few minutes from our hotel and I made everyone stop here.

"Kings bar & restaurant?" Bree asked.

"Yeah they have karaoke nights. Figured I could surprise yall with my kickass singing." I joked. We sat down and orders some appetizers to share, watching the drunk and sober people singing on the stage. Before I knew it I heard my name on the speakers.

"Well you said you'd surprise us. Get up there." Emmy said as she smiled at me. I got up from my seat before grabbing the mic and choosing a song.