LOVE IS KEY || A Tyler, The Creator Story REIMAGINED

18-Tug Of War (The story behind Akeylah and Sabrina)

It's been a few months since Tyler left and we have not spoken at all. We both have been super busy with our careers. I was starting to garner more attention within the industry as a writer. I had already had the opportunity of writing for some talented people but recently I had been asked to join this writing camp for Ariana Grande. I was beyond excited and felt extremely blessed to had been granted such an opportunity.

The next day was the start of the writing camp, and I was both nervous and thrilled. Ariana Grande's team had put together a stellar group of songwriters and producers, and I was eager to prove myself among them. I packed my bags and headed to the studio, my mind racing with ideas and anticipation.

As soon as I walked into the room, I was greeted by a sea of smiling faces and outstretched hands. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, and I couldn't help but feel a little starstruck. The camp was set up in a large mansion-like house with multiple studios, living spaces, and even a pool. It was like a creative utopia.

The first day was mostly introductions and setting the ground rules. We were split into smaller groups, and I ended up with some of the most talented individuals I had ever met. We talked about our influences, our creative processes, and what we hoped to achieve during our time there.

One person stuck out to me though. This girl. She had a masculine aura to her with the way that she dressed. She was caramel complected, had light brown eyes that resembled honey that I kept finding myself getting lost in. Her hair was cut in a short taper that honestly looked amazing on her. She was apart of my group and extremely talented, funny and more. I learned from introductions that her name is Sabrina but people call her "Rin".

Sabrina: (extends hand) Hey, I'm Sabrina but everyone calls me Rin.

Akeylah: (shakes her hand) Hey Rin, I'm Akeylah.

Sabrina: Oh, you're that producer right? That's dope!

Akeylah: Yeah. That's me. What's your deal?

Sabrina: I'm a songwriter. Been grinding for a minute now. This is a big deal for me too.

As the days went on, I found myself getting closer and closer to Rin. We had a natural chemistry when it came to making music, and our personalities just clicked. We would spend hours in the studio, bouncing ideas off each other, and by the end of the second day, we had already written two solid songs together.

The nights were filled with jam sessions, late-night snacks, and deep conversations that often turned into laughter-filled debates. It was during one of these nights that Rin opened up to me about her past and her struggles with her identity. She talked about how she had always felt like she didn't quite fit in anywhere, being a tomboy in a family that expected her to be more feminine, and her journey to accepting herself as she is.

I listened intently, nodding along and sharing some of my own experiences. I felt a strong connection to her, one that went beyond just our shared love for music. I could see the pain in her eyes, and I wanted to be there for her, to support her in any way I could.

As the week progressed, the flirty banter between us grew more intense. We would playfully bump into each other, steal glances, and share knowing smiles. The tension was palpable, and I couldn't ignore it anymore.

One night, after everyone else had gone to bed, Rin and I found ourselves alone in one of the studios. The moonlight streamed in through the windows, casting a soft glow over the instruments and soundboards. We had just finished up a particularly emotional song, and the air was thick with unspoken feelings.