𝐜𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧' 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 ─────⋆⋅★𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘺

𝟑𝟏. 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐭

The studio had that unmistakable mix of anticipation and quiet intensity. The lights were dim, casting a soft glow over the equipment and the high-end furniture. Suki couldn't believe she was actually here, sitting next to Megan Thee Stallion, both of them prepping to create a track that was sure to make waves. Even after all the achievements under her own belt, Suki was still in awe of Megan—the unapologetic way she owned her space, the boldness she wore like armor. And with everything she'd been through, Megan had only gotten stronger.

"Suki!" Megan's warm voice broke Suki's thoughts, her signature smile spreading wide. "Girl, I am so pumped. We're about to make something iconic."

Suki grinned, trying to shake off her nerves. "Believe me, the feeling is mutual. I've admired you forever. You're just... everything. I mean, you've faced so much and handled it all, on top of just being yourself. It's inspiring."

Megan's expression softened, and she leaned back in her chair, a light chuckle escaping her. "Girl, you know how it goes. This industry wants you perfect, easy, and quiet, but I was blessed with none of those traits," she said, laughing, her voice filled with pride. "And that mess with Tory, everything they tried to use to break me? I realized that if I didn't own my power, someone else would. And let me tell you, no one else is getting that chance."

Suki nodded, feeling the weight of Megan's words. "Yeah, I know what you mean. People don't see how brutal it is—like, I can't even eat a meal without it being a story. I saw a bunch of comments the other day about how I 'let myself go' and might be pregnant because I had to unbutton my jeans after a pasta night."

Megan's eyes narrowed. "And if you dared say something back, you'd be labeled 'defensive' or 'problematic.'" She shook her head, sympathy softening her expression. "Trust me, it's a trap. But I'm telling you, Suki—own it. People are always gonna have something to say. If you're happy, they're mad. If you're sad, they're glad. So just do you."

It was good advice. But as much as Suki tried to shake the thoughts of those comments, they lingered like an annoying itch at the back of her mind. Even here, with Megan, someone who'd been put through the media wringer and survived stronger, she couldn't help but feel the weight of the world's eyes on her.

"Speaking of the world's eyes..." she started, hesitating, but then plunged ahead. "Drew and I... we're getting serious. Really serious. And there's this pressure for us to go public, and I don't know—I'm terrified. I've seen what people say, and, honestly, it feels like giving them ammunition."

Megan turned to her with a knowing look, crossing her arms thoughtfully. "Let me tell you something from experience. Once you're out there together, people think they own a piece of your relationship. It's like they want to be in the room, making guesses, assuming they know what's going on." She paused, her voice turning serious. "They'll pick apart every little thing, Suki. My advice? Protect what's yours. It's special because it's yours—don't give them the satisfaction of messing with it."

Suki let out a slow breath, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She wasn't alone in feeling that pressure, and hearing it from someone like Megan made her feel a little stronger. "Yeah... you're right. I just don't want people twisting things. I love him. I don't want that to turn into something ugly."

Megan's face softened, and she placed a comforting hand on Suki's shoulder. "It's hard for all of us, Suki. People get so invested in their own fantasies. I mean, look at all the drama with Justin and his girl. They couldn't handle that he was happy." She chuckled, but her tone was serious. "But remember, this life—this fame—it'll be there whether you let them in or not. Just make sure you're the one in control. If there's one thing I know, it's that we have to be the ones calling the shots."