𝑾𝑰𝑪𝑲𝑬𝑫 𝓖𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

MONTREAL.

Sept 9. Saturday 9pm.

"First public appearance, you excited?" Toni grinned while Jane clung to his shoulder like a parasite gawking at me as if she were just as involved in the conversation. She always seemed like she was leeching off of him, but I know better than to interfere. We were tucked off backstage waiting for me to psyche myself up enough to go on stage and sing in front of 7oo people. They've never even seen my face before... and excited is what I'm supposed to be.. more like scared.

"Shiid, I'm nervous." I take another swig from the bottle of Hennesy. I've never been an eyes all on me guy, I was an average quiet kid in highschool if anybody was paying me any mind it's because I was standing next to Lisa. She was on the cheer team her freshman year, but quit her sophomore year due to her family issues. Then she was a known fighter, she was also crowned baddest Junior at Kinleigh Shore, not by anybody important it was just an unspoken status.

"Boy you know it comes natural to you. You got this, don't overthink it." Lisa kissed my cheek. She was my best friend since forever, just very affectionate. We used to roll in all kinda of ways during highschool until I got with Evelyn, now it's just strictly friendship. She squeezes my arm. "Okay?"

"Alright alright." I try to conceal my smile that wanted to break out with a slight chuckle and smug grin. I couldn't afford to get up there and embarrass myself. My future depended on it and so was my family.

Taking a few deep breaths to settle my nerves I grab the microphone and head out before my mind takes over. The stage was small, a band I was assigned was tucked off near my left and back up singers to the right.

The alcohol began to settle mid performance and the crowd's energy only fueled my rushes of adrenaline. They were pumped and so was I. People with their phones out, recording and waving their flashes was all I saw when I got the courage to glance down at the crowd. Other than that it was staring at the Exit sign near a side door.

After my set ended I went backstage where my crew had looked like they'd just arrived. "You okay?" Lisa examined my face as she dabbed at the beading sweat at my hairline.

"Yeah, I'm just feeling all that Hen."

"You saw that girl out there? She was staring like she wanted your soul." Toni tossed me a water.

My eyes drifted to the right as I was trying to recall anybody staring at me. "I mean. . . weren't they all?"

"Nah they were chilling, she looked like she was plottin'." He smirked accompanied by a head shake. "Some guy already gave me the money from the ticket sales. Henny and Jane took it to the car." I don't see taking money to the car as a two person job, but I just shrug and down my water as we make our way out.

The air was thick and it smelled like it had rained. It was still cold out, but I didn't bring any sleeves. Everything was hushed like a relief to my ears. Making my way to the Impala, that same car from the Queens scandal was parked with their blinding white headlights. I picked up the pace and hastily got into Toni's car. Peering out of the window I watched them pull off. Before they could even leave the parking lot a bald guy hopped on a motorcycle and followed behind them.

"Abel," Toni called my name as if he'd been saying it for a while before I snapped out of my trance. I turned to him trying to hand me the envelope. I opened it up: it was a check for 5k. Considering we ain't got shit, this ain't shit. I guess we'll just have to get by til Ricky comes through.

***

"We need to Lie low, because those niggas are following us or some shit. I saw their car when we were leaving the club," I say, taking a seat next to Lisa on the couch.

"Why are they following you?" Lisa asked interlocking arms with me. Lisa and I were almost conjoined at the hip, she even dropped outta high school her last year as I dropped out of my juinor year. That's when her sister realized things were wrong and they moved away just before the entire scandal happened.

To put it long story short, "they thought I was setting them up, there ended up being a shoot out and. . . one of the gang members ended up dead." They've been sending me death threats ever since then, but hey, can't live my life scared of threats.

"Fuck them! Tell em' to gon about they business cause it wasn't your fault," Toni butted in. Henny just kept looking between us. Eventually he went to his room. I wanted to ask whether everybody thinks he's okay, but considering everybody is now vibing out in a full blown convo I'll just keep my mouth closed for now.

My phone buzzed which I thought was a call from Evelyn about to get on my ass for not calling her as soon as I made it, but instead it was a random number. The room goes silent, so I take that as my cue to answer and see who it is. "Hello?'' I wait for a response putting the phone on speaker.

"Abel Tesfaye, right?" a woman's raspy voice said. Everybody's face twisted in confusion including mine.