Forever Never

Chapter Four | Aretha in Abundance

Tyana

As usual Elle always had something to say about my mere existence in the same space as my ex. She really hated that man. "I promise I have it all under control, ok?" I huffed as we both set the long food table in its spot.

Elle's birthday was tonight and this party was something she'd been planning for the past few weeks. Her reaching three million subscribers was just an added excuse to make it even more lavish. She hired people to do most of the work of setting everything up but she was still in here doing her part. Elle was the type to wanna be in the midst of everything.

The theme was formal and she even hired a pianist to play the music. I wiped a tired arm across my sweaty forehead and took a seat to catch my breath.

"I'm just saying you've just started the healing process and what a surprise he comes barging into your life just when you're about to move on," she rolled her eyes. "You are better off without that fool. Don't let him drag you back down to the abyss you barely crawled out of, Ty please." she pleaded, looking down at me with a concerned expression and a slightly tilted head as she stood in front of me.

"I won't." I told her, for the umpteenth time. "So is he invited?"

She sighed heavily as her arm dropped down from where it was on her hip. "Fine, yes. But he better not ruin anything and he should keep his distance from me cuz I can't promise he'll be safe." she finally gave in. I jumped up and suppressed a squeal as I thanked her again and again.

"He'll behave." I promised and gave her a wet kiss on her cheek, to show my gratitude. She groaned and playfully shoved me off.

After our video call earlier today I was definitely not gonna let him be alone tonight. He seemed he could desperately use a bit of fun and feel a sense of community, to be surrounded by people.

I stepped outside the party venue to let Tim know the news. He picked up after the third signal and I heard that defeated depressed breathing yet again. "Hey hope you got something nice to wear cuz you're coming to Elle's birthday party with me tonight." I told him, genuinely feeling excited.

"Birthday? What present do I bring?" he asked.

"Yeah any present from you would immediately end up in a dumpster fire," I laughed. "Don't worry about that. I'll come pick you up later at 8."

"I need an excuse to get drunk anyway so yeah count me in." he breathed tiredly.

"I promised Elle you'd be on your best behavior so you gotta be chill, okay?"

"Yeah of course."

I decided to go home considering I had some work that needed done, deadlines coming up, before the party. The dress I planned to wear was on a hanger in my closet and the heels placed on the floor.

As soon as I submitted my work I set my laptop aside to get ready. My hair was already done but I decided to pull the braids into a high ponytail. I always looked better with my hair up. My makeup was pretty simple. Finally I put on the black satin dress and the heels before picking up my purse and heading down to my car.

Tim already stood outside his place when I pulled up on the sidewalk, wearing a white shirt and dress pants. The party still hadn't kicked off yet when we arrived to the venue. Elle's parties don't get going until late. To my concern though she seemed stressed about something.

"What's up?" I asked when I walked up to her.

She had one hand on her hip and the other holding her phone. "The damn pianist cancelled on me. I mean it's not that deep really, I could just make do with a Spotify playlist. But I really wanted the nice live music," she huffed.

I looked around as everything was set up. The elegant black piano sat vacant with a microphone mounted to it. "I can play it," I heard myself say all of a sudden.

Elle shook her head. "No you don't have to. It's fine," she waved her hand dismissively but I insisted.

"No I want to."

"Are you sure? There will be people here, and a lot of them."

Elle knew better than anyone that I didn't do well whenever I had to do shit in front of a crowd. I became nervous easily and would forget how to do the most basic shit like breathing. But I got this.

"I'm sure." I ensured her and she thanked me.

I walked up to the piano and ran my finger along the keys as I sat down. Elle had a set of songs she planned for the pianist to play and sing. Aretha Franklin seemed to dominate the list and I had no complaints as I began playing the intro to At Last, completely forgetting I wasn't alone as I became engrossed into the music. By the time I had come back down to earth again the party was finally in full swing.

Everyone who walked by me would nod in my direction and shoot me a smile, a few of them I knew. To my relief and surprise my nerves seemed perfectly relaxed. Across the room I caught sight of Leroy who stood by the bar, looking over the dance floor with a drink in his hand. He was wearing a vest over his long sleeved button down shirt that made him look like a black Kurt Hugo Schneider, except prettier. I noticed he was wearing his glasses again.

Tim came up next to me and he seemed to have had a few drinks in him already. "That dance floor is calling my name," he said as he leaned against the piano with a smile on his lips.

"I can't leave. Someone's gotta play the music." I told him.

"Fine. I'll find someone else." he walked off to the dance floor.

Dancing bodies blocked my view of Leroy and I refocused on the music instead. As soon as I started playing Think more people made their way to the floor. I closed my eyes to feel the music even more. When I opened them back up again I had Elle stood in front of me, her phone on me, as she was most likely recording for her story.

"Say hello to the gorgeous talented Queen behind the music tonight!" she shouted over the music and I had to laugh. She continued dancing her way through the room, receiving happy birthday wishes along the way.

I suddenly locked eyes with a dancing Leroy when I looked away from Elle and cast a glance out at the dance floor. He made his way through bodies towards me. "You're a woman of your word, huh?" he said as he placed a hand on the hood of the piano.

"On what?" I wondered.

"You said you'd definitely sing another time. Didn't think it would be so soon and so publicly tho," he chuckled.

"Well it definitely wasn't part of the plans when I woke up today."

"You glad it happened?"

I took a moment to look around, taking everything in. "Yeah." I nodded, as I began playing the next song.

"Y'know I checked your insta and twitter. With the following you got I don't know why you haven't tried capitalizing on that yet. Especially after finally hearing you not only sing but perform," he said and I chuckled at the fact he just told on himself. "What?"

"Nothing." I shook my head lightly.

His smile grew as he seemed to realise. "I wasn't stalking your socials, just so you know."

I may or may not have indulged in such activities myself so I didn't have much grounds to speak. "I believe you."

"So. Any insight on my inquiry?" he asked and I was lost briefly until I understood.

"I don't know. Never thought to do it," I shrugged.

"I've seen people grow from putting their art on their insta and stuff. You could always try something like that and see where it takes you." he suggested and I nodded, thinking over it.