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OCTOBER 23RD, 1997 BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
JOSIAH WALKS INTO THE JAM PACKED PARTY with a tired look on his face. He stayed up all day writing rhymes and all he wanted to do was sleep.
But since his man Nasir was hosting the party, the least he could do was show his face. He wondered how the older man could go from being cooped up in the studio to throwing a big ass party.
Once he found where Nasir was, Josiah pushed through multiple people to get to where the older rapper was. He daps the man up before looking around.
"I'm glad you could make it, Jo. I know ya' schedule tight and all that shit." Nasir said, making Josiah shrug. "You know I ain't missing no party, chippy." He said playfully, smiling slightly. "What you got 'round here? A nigga starvin'.." He added, making Nasir chuckle.
"You know I got the eats, B. I got everything you need." He said. Josiah nods along as he cased out the party, noticing a lot of familiar faces. Both from the industry and from the streets.
But his eyes stop at one person. "Yo, Nas.. who's that girl over there?" Josiah asked, pointing at the girl standing by herself. "You don't know ha? That's Aaliyah, Slim.." Nasir started to say before glancing at the man.
"She just dropped a dope ass single from ha' album she released a few months ago." He added as Josiah kept his eyes on the girl. "You tryna holla? You know I can put you on." Nasir said, making Josiah furrowed his eyebrows.
"Ion know... Ain't she dating that Ginuwine nigga?" He asked, making Nasir laugh. "Nigga you got jokes? You know that's a lame ass rumor!" Nasir said, giving Josiah a playful push.
"She's been standing off to herself since she got here. Go say somethin', B!" He added, causing Josiah to glare at the man. He smacks his lips before glancing at the girl again.
This time, their eyes met. Josiah felt his cheeks heat up as he saw the girl smile before looking away. He takes a deep breath before looking over at Nasir. "Aight.. I'ma go see what's up." He said to the man before maneuvering across the dance floor.
Josiah kept his eyes on her as he moved closer. She must've felt his presence because she looked up as soon as he stepped in front of her.
"Aaliyah right? The name's Josiah. But niggas 'round here call me Jojo." He said, unknowingly mispronouncing the girl's name.
Aaliyah chuckles before nodding her head, moving her side bang out of her face. "It's nice to meet you, "Jojo". But it's ALI-YAH. Like.. Muhammad ALI-yah." She said, making Josiah chuckle in return.
