NEVER

14.

the lowly dim and narrow hallway seemed to be closing in on me as we made our way towards solace's designated studio room.

i've never been this nervous before, i'm only here to tag along and support yet my anxiety decides to have other plans...i can't support solace if i'm secretly hyperventilating and sweating my ass off.

"angel..." i've been mentally panicking so much that i didn't notice that we were now at the end of the hall and in front of the room....i guess it wasn't so secret after all. "i can literally feel your heart beating. it's okay, relax. there's nothing to be overworked up about, you're gonna be by my side for my whole session. okay ?"

his reassurance always makes me feel loved. i'll never feel apprehensive about anything because i know, he'll always make the best out of it.

"okay..." i answered as he pulled me into him. his arm securely wrapped around me and instantly, i felt so safe and my nervousness quickly diminished.

we finally went inside and was met with the gut retching stench of weed—weed that wasn't solace's...

"family !" bastard immediately exclaimed once he spotted us, i smiled. there's never a dull moment when he's around. "it's about time y'all showed up."

i always loved our hugs, it was so natural—as if we've been friends for so long. seeing how our relationship blossomed makes me curse myself for being so closed off all the time....

having friends isn't so bad after all.

i moved closer into solace and briefly scanned the unfamiliar faces that dully stared back at me.

what am i even doing here ? they literally don't like me—its evident. i knew i had a reason for my nervousness....i don't belong here.

"aye, look at me real quick..." solace started, catching everyone's attention. "this is bluddy or bluddy.s, my dj and that's dixon, my manager. these are the most important people to me....these other people here are randoms, i don't know them." he introduced, pointing at each person their name belonged to. "and her name is aina-ophelia..."

"is she the girl that was in those videos ?" his manager questioned, i couldn't help the sigh that left my mouth. i get that dixon is his manager but does he have to manage his life also ?

give him a break...

"i didn't come here for an interrogation, i came to make music so that's what imma' do..." he couldn't have said it any better.

"exactly, let's finish this fuckin' tape..." bastard spoke up, tossing solace a pair of headphones. "get in the fuckin' booth bro."

solace caught the headphones with ease before turning towards me, holding out his free hand, he offered for me to grab it and almost instantly, i did with no hesitation.

when he said i'd be by his side for his whole session, i didn't think he'd mean literally. i cannot stress how much of a lifesaver he is, the stares were beginning to be too overwhelming.

a smile rested on my face as i watched solace situate his-self in front of the mic. his demeanor changed and immediately, he was focused.

"you okay angel ?" solace asked with concern leaking his voice once he turned to me. the smile never left while i nodded.

"mhm..."

"this isn't gonna take long, imma' finish this up then we're outta here." his cold hands cupped my cheeks as he began to stare into my eyes. although, his hands were cold, he still manages to make me melt.  "just be patient..."