Off Record

/Ten/ *Reupload*

A/N: Please excuse any errors. I had an absolutely horrible time rewriting this. It was originally nearly 6k words and very important in building Sasha and P's relationship that was only mentioned when talking about their phone calls. I tried to keep the same details in the story, so you won't be missing anything for chapter 11. Enjoy 💜

September 3, 1990

Sasha went to work on Tuesday to find a class full of curious teenagers. They had all read her interview with Prince and wanted to know what it was like meeting such a big star from the Midwest like them.

One particular student, Kelly, was a huge fan and specifically wanted to know what the star smelled like. Sasha laughed at her insistence, knowing that she would find out very soon when Prince paid a visit to her school on Friday. It was Sasha's alma mater and one of the three schools he'd picked to tour.

A third of his tour earnings were going to 5 junior and senior high schools in need of help funding their performing arts programs.

As the clock neared 4:30, she sent them on their way and promised to answer the rest of their questions in their journal responses on Thursday.

She herself was excited about Friday considering she would not only see the man himself but also take him somewhere so sacred to her.

As the day neared, they spoke extensively on the telephone. It was night for Sasha and in the early morning for Prince. He himself was also nervous to see her again. He'd picked up a Cartier necklace in London and wasn't sure she would be so accepting of it. It was a gift he felt she deserved after humanizing him so well with The Rolling Stones piece. He felt like he was much more of a person than a personality while reading it.

September 6, 1990

When Friday arrived and he was at Southeast High School, the Principal, Mr. Johnson and Sasha's after school coordinator, Mrs. Wakefield led him on a tour through the school and to their performing arts building.

"We house the band, chorus, and drama rooms in this building." Mr. Johnson explained as they entered. He had been the principal at the school for the last 15 years and spoke highly of the 22 year veteran band director, Mr. Lewis.

Prince was curious about the state and availability of the instruments when seeing how outdated the building was. As he entered the band room the students were quiet and sat at ease with their instruments. When Mr. Johnson told them to give him a warm welcome, they told him good morning in unison. It made his nervous habit of fiddling with his sunglasses dissolve. The admiration in Mr. Lewis' eyes also calmed his nerves.

After formalities, the director asked if his students could play something for him.

"Sure, I'd love to hear it."

As they were called to attention, their instruments went up and began a beautiful arrangement of Purple Rain. Just when he thought it couldn't get any better, an alto saxophone took the lead, literally making the instrument sing. Prince was beyond impressed. So much so that he got the seniors information to hold until the following Spring. He planned on calling him after graduation.

Staying another 15 minutes to ask about the state of the instruments and give out signatures and take pictures with students. Kelly, a talented clarinet player herself got to meet her idol and smell the sandalwood/jasmine combination.

Leaving the building, Prince glanced through all the awards in their trophy case. He was ready to move on until a row of awards caught his attention. They were for an annual Jazz Pianio competition performed at a spring festival.