• A Blackbird's Serenade • (GxG)

"Embers & Ashes"

~ Just Minutes Prior ~

Tiana

Never could I get used to watching her onstage and hearing that voice of hers.

In a way, she was a serenade in of itself. Her beauty and grace a timeless tune, and the way she moved people beyond words without having to say not one.

Watching her in her element could never grow old. It'd always been a stunning sight to see.

Song after song, she had every person here entranced, though not possibly more than myself. Standing here in this spot, that I'd missed no doubt, my body's sway mirrored hers, for it always seemed to feel like it was just the two of us here. Everytime she found my eyes, I hadn't looked away from her once, nor did I intend to.

That was, until Coco tapped my shoulder, standing beside me with her hands free of the usual trays of plates.

"Tee, you might wanna check your chin there-" she pointed before smiling teasingly. "I think I spot a line of drool."

"Shut up-" I pushed her shoulder, shyly twisting my mouth as my best friend giggled. "I'm watchin' just like everybody else-"

"C'mon now you 'nd I both know that's a load of shit-" folding her arms as I had mine, she nudged my shoulder, revealing my smile. "Please- 'wathcin just like everybody else-"'

"Whaatt, I am-" I persisted, withholding a grin. "Y'see that man over there, fella's got a whole ass girl and his ass is still droolin, forreal look-"

Slapping my shoulder playfully, Coco snickered along with me as we eyed the older man whose gaze was transfixed upon the stage.

Ever since I'd come back from tour and returned to serving, the two of us had been a dangerous pair. Not a night went by that we weren't over in the corner or in the back snickering and giggling about something only the two of us would understand, at least a few times a shift. Suddenly waitressing wasn't so bad after all.

"It's so good to have her back here again," Coco then said, shaking her head as the two of us went back to watching Journee. "Denise is lovely and all, but I missed havin' my munchkin' here."

"Trust me, she's missed y'all too," I chuckled. "You shoulda seen how excited she was in the car, woman could hardly keep in her skin."

"I can imagine," Coco commented, having me glance over to find her smiling. "This a one time thing?"

"She says so," I shrugged with a sigh. "Her label's havin' her workin' on a second album already, sayin' she needs to build an image and reputation to make sure she ain't forgotten. She thinks they may have her go on her own tour, once it's finished..."

At that, I could feel Coco's eyes on me as I glanced down at the floor.

"Again?... So soon??" Shrugging, I nodded slowly, a silence falling between us despite the noise in the club. "You's goin' with her this time?"

"Hell yeah," I then snickered, having Coco do the same softly. "I may not be happy bout gettin' such a short break, but we ain't separatin' again Cee, I'd lose my damn mind. Last time was more than enough..."

I didn't need to look at my best friend to see the smirk tugging her lips. "Learned ya lesson huh?"

"Sure as hell did," I gave a look, making her chuckle. "One and done, shit ain't happen' again."

"Shit I can believe it, yo ass looked worse than I ever seen you some months ago-"

"Gee thanks Constance, you's a real sweetheart-" my eyes rolled with a smile before she nudged my shoulder once more.