𝙼𝚒𝚕𝚔 & 𝙷𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚢 | (Austin!Elvis x Black!OC)

Ch. 9

Summary: Michael gets Honey a chance at a real performance, but now she has a big choice to make.

Warning: NSFW 18+(Just a dash), swearing, racial issues, alcohol, self deprecation, anxiety

Song: I Got a Woman by Ray Charles, Trouble by Elvis Presley

-

"AHH!!"

"AHH!!"

Vickie and I scream at the sound of my own voice blasting through the radio. She squeals, gripping my hands tightly. "Michael did it! You're gon be famous!" We scream once more, hugging each other in excitement.

My heart pounds in my chest. I'm on the radio. What does this mean for me? What's next? For the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful for what the future holds for me. Would I be performing in front of a live audience again? Would I ever be put on TV?

"How much are you gettin' paid now that you're on the radio and everything? Ooo, you could get us one of them new Cadillacs like Elvis rides." She puts her hands out in front of her, mimicking the motions of a steering wheel.

I pause to think. Hmm. Never really got to that part. "Um, are you supposed to get paid right away...?"

"Hey! Though I heard screaming." Michael suddenly calls from the end of that hall. He treads happily across the carpet that Vickie and I are supposed to be cleaning. "Been looking all over for you."

"You got me on the radio!" Without a thought, I run to him, wrapping my arms around his neck. With a chuckle, he lifts me, letting my feet dangle in the air. Then, he sets me down with a soft look, staring into my eyes with an odd sense of tenderness. It makes me realize what I had just done, so I clear my throat awkwardly and take a step back. "Um, thank you."

He chuckles. "You think getting on the radio's great, I got a call from WDIA this morning. They asked me if you wanted to perform at the revue tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?!" I exclaim.

He guiltily smiles. "I know it's last minute, but I already told them yes. This will be a great opportunity for you, and besides, I know you can do it." He pulls me in for another hug, leaving a kiss on my cheek as he always does. "I gotta go get the band in order, they're downstairs doin' God knows what, but I thought I'd say goodnight before I left. I'll pick you up tomorrow night, alright?"

"Okay..."

Oh my God, I'm gonna perform tomorrow. My body tenses at the thought, an anxious feeling swelling in the pit of my stomach.

"Did Michael ever say anything to you after the party?" Vickie whispers over my shoulder.

I jump at the feeling of her suddenly so close to me, not realizing she had traveled all the way over to me in such a short amount of time. But then I pause. I also thought that the band told him once we left. How could they not? They saw everything. But to my surprise, everything just continued on as normal. Maybe they don't care enough to tell him. Or maybe they already did... "No, actually..."

She studies me for a moment before letting her eyes fall to the floor with a contemplative hum. However, she's quick to shrug it off and go back to folding towels like before, but nearly just as fast, she drops what she's doing with a gasp of realization. "We are absolutely going shopping together! I gotta help you get a real dress. I don't trust you after seeing that time capsule you call a closet."

-

That night I could barely sleep. My head raced with so many thoughts and doubts. I could never safely be on stage or TV. I can barely walk down the street. I saw how difficult it was for King to get his foot in the door, I can't imagine the things they'd allow on TV before they'd consider giving someone like me the chance. What would people say after seeing me? Better yet, what would they do? Maybe I should have just given up on music all those years ago like Ma wanted. Would I be putting her in danger? What if they riot my house? What if I get arrested?