Streetlight Serenade

New Sparks, Old Flames

Man, Laila always had that spark, that light that made her stand out from everybody else. She ain't like the other girls round here. She got dreams, real ones. And even though I know we on different paths, I can't help but keep my eye on her. Always have, always will.

But every time I see her, it's like she slippin' further away. I'm out here tryna survive, and she out here tryna fly. But no matter how high she go, I'm gon' be there, watchin', makin' sure nobody mess with her.

It's been a minute since I seen her. She been busy, I get that. She got that ballet shit takin' up all her time. But I'm still here, same place, different day.

Then one summer, I spot her comin' out the store. She lookin' even better than I remember. Got that glow, like she really gon' make it outta here. But it's somethin' in her eyes that tell me she still the same Laila I grew up with.

"Wassup, superstar?," I say, givin' her that smile she used to love. But she don't stop, just give me a quick "hey" like we ain't got history.

"You ain't been around," I say, steppin' up to her. She tryin' to act like she don't see me, but I know better. "I don't see you no more."

"I been busy," she says, her voice a little softer now. "You know, dancin'."

I nod, but inside I'm thinkin' 'bout how I hate this distance between us. "Yeah, I get it. You chasin' them dreams. But the thing is, Lai... you can't run from where you from. The streets, they don't forget nobody."

She stop and look at me, and for a second, I see that fear she tryin' to hide. "I ain't in that, Rico. I ain't never been."

I step closer, lower my voice. "That's what you think. But just 'cause you ain't in the life don't mean it ain't gon' touch you. I been watchin', and trust me—some folks don't care that you a ballerina. All they see is opportunity."

Her eyes go wide, but she play it off quick. "I'm good, Rico. I got this."

I smile, but it ain't the same smile from before. This one heavy, 'cause I know what's comin'. "Aight, Lai. But just know... you ever need me, I got you."