Nothing lasts forever

Turn up

<song is inappropriate so listen with headphones >

I was in my hotel room slipping into my dazzling costume making sure my melanin was poppin and my hair was on fleek. Months of getting my body into shape had finally payed off because my body was looking A1.  In case you were wondering where I could possibly be, I was in The land of the hummingbird that's right Trinidad - I was ready to get turnt in Carnival. Unfortunately Chris and Jermaine didn't come with us but we promised that we wouldn't cheat. Alyssia knocked on my door and came in, "I need your help putting on my head dress please I need it to look perfect", I could see the excitement in her eyes, we hadn't even moved around much and we were already sweating, luckily we were smart and had fans that matched our costumes. "There you go, now it's perfect", I adjusted her head piece. "We look hot! finna get crunk and turn up", she stared at her reflection adoringly.  I sat down at my dressing table and painted gold and royal blue by my left eye carefully adding the gold diamanté's.

Once we were finally done getting ready we hopped in our rented car and drove to the meeting place where we were going to meet the rest of our band. We were called Juveniles because we were all young and wild. "Ally, TT you guys are looking gorgeous", Janelle came up to us giving us air kisses and walking away. Yep Janelle was apart of the group too, we weren't cool no more she was fake so both me and Alyssia left her. "What's up with her, since when was she nice to us?", I asked. "She probably buzzing off something, I wouldn't be surprised if she was drunk already", Alyssia laughed. "Attention all Juveniles, grab you're alcohol shots and get ready to get onboard the truck and or float, make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes we got a long day", shouted Juvenile leader Christine. Me and Alyssia went in line for drinks just talking to the other members and being friendly when something in fact more like someone caught my eye. I thought my sight had forsaken me but I could have sworn I saw Isiah waving at me in the distance, next to this Isiah looking figure was a figure that looked Dre, a figure that looked Cameron and a figure that looked like Andy. "Alyssia look over there, is that Isiah and his friends", I hissed. She looked in the same direction as me and her mouth hung wide open and she lowered her sunglasses squinting at the figures. "Frickin hell, it's them! They followed us to Trinidad", Alyssia whined. They walked towards getting closer and closer, "Hey Alyssia, Tiana", smiled Isiah but it didn't seem like a genuine smile. "Hi", I said bluntly nodding at his friends. "You guys look really good",   Dre said walking around us, it reminded me of a predator circling its prey before it pounces and attacks. "Thank you", Alyssia said. I could see through her sunglasses she wasn't up for any bullshit they annoyance in her eyes were evident. "So how come you guys are wearing the Juvenile T-shirts since when did you guys play", I asked, I found it odd that I hadn't seen them at any of the meetings over the last couple months or well ever. "We recently joined like last month", Dre said. "How come you guys were allowed to join you usually have to be apart of it for at least 4 months", Alyssia folded her arms. "Well Isiah did a ting with Christine sooo, we had no problem joining", Andy smirked high fiving Isiah who had a smug smirk that I wanted to slap off him. Finally we made it to the front of the cue where a choice of whisky or rum, Alyssia and I both got Rum. Today was going to be a long day especially since Isiah, Cameron, Dre and Andy were tagging along. We climbed on the truck holding on to the bar as the steel pan players set up, Dre and Andy were apart of them. Isiah was just about to sit next to me on the truck but luckily Cameron got there before him - this was why we were friends. "So TT you good?", he asked while sipping on his water bottle but I could smell it contained Courvoisier. "I could be better to be honest, Isiah's always popping up everywhere it's jarring", I sighed. "Don't worry, just enjoy yourself today. You don't even have to talk to him today", he patted my shoulder. "Thanks, this is why we friends, imma jam with you", I snatched the bottle out of his hand and skied the drink. "What are you doing", he snatched the bottle back defensively cradling it. "Trust me mate, Imma need as much as I can get today's gonna be long especially with him around", I side eyed Isiah, annoyed at his presence. "Don't get too drunk, keep your eyes open, knowing him he'll try some shit".

Music from other floats and trucks got louder and louder as we approached the carnival. The colours which were once a blurred fusion came into focus as I saw the sun reflect off each bead, sequin and diamanté, various body shapes danced, jumped, sung, screamed and shouted. Everyone was in their own zone full of joy and happiness it was an amazing sight.  "Come on!", I shouted to Alyssia as we jumped off the truck and joined the other dancers. The massive speakers at the back blasted out Lyrikal - dip and roll. I could sense someone behind me and as I turned around of course it was Isiah, "move from me!", I shouted over the pounding music. "I can't hear you", he smiled knowing full well he heard every word. I looked over to see Alyssia and Cameron motioning for me to come up front to where they were so I pushed through the crowd and finally reached them. I was relieved to get away from Isiah. We were up by the float Infront and it was a Grenadian float, I blew my whistle with delight as I was a proud Grenadian well part Grenadian. They were playing Big red - no behavior ; it was one of my favourite songs. I danced until I was out of breath, everyone was tryna cop a wine but I was in my own zone. I felt a vibration and pulled out my phone. It was a message from Chris saying Enjoy yourself today baby, I understand it's carnival so it's cool if you wine pon other guys, you're irresistible so I know they gon wanna dance with you. I give you permission. Love you.
I smiled at the message and the fact he trusted me, I saw Alyssia smiling at her phone too so I'm guessing Jermaine messaged her something along the same lines. The floats and trucks were playing some tunes, One drop came on so everyone flocked to the road, Walk and Wine came on, but what really got everyone  hype (especially Grenadians) was Soak it good by Skinny Banton.  The song that got Trinidadians hype was Gage - throat (now is best to play song in media); I knew carnival was mad but this was the craziest it's been in a while. People were on the floor getting daggered, people were hanging by their arms off the truck, feathers and sequins were scattered in the road. The song was a banger not even gonna lie. Isiah must of seen this as an opportunity so he grabbed my waist attempting to pull me towards him but I looked around quickly and grabbed the nearest person, it was a guy around my age with dreadlocks, he seemed to enjoy the wine much more than I did, he could really wine, next thing you know he attempts to grab me by my legs but I had to quickly move away. He pulled me back, "Where you from?", his accent was strong. "England", I replied attempting to get out of his grip. "What's your number?", "I have a man sorry", "but you just gave me the wickedest wine". I felt an arm wrap around my shoulder and I looked up to see Isiah, "I'm her man, thanks for looking after my girl, bye". "But - " he was cut off immediately, "I said thank you and goodbye", Isiah tightened his grip. The man kissed his teeth obviously pissed off, "Watch your back rude boy". He walked away and into the crowd. "So do I not get a thanks, a hug, a wine?", asked Isiah stroking my face. "I didn't need your help I'm grown, and stop touching my face you'll ruin my paint", I flicked his hands away. "You look really beautiful by the way", he said ignoring what I said still attempting to stroke my face. "I told you stop", I took a step backwards bumping into Cameron, thank the heavens he was there, Alyssia had gone off somewhere to look for food she was always eating. "Yo Cameron, there you are dude, Tiana over here being stush", Isiah said. "Isiah, she has a man leave her alone man, she doesn't want you", Cameron said pulling me gently away from Isiah. "Fine, I'll leave her alone for now", Isiah rolled his eyes and walked away. "Thank you Cameron", I hugged him truly grateful, "anytime, now come on we gotta go find Alyssia, she's taking her time".  I held his wrist pushing out way through the crowd, ignoring the flirtatious comments that were being made by passers by. I saw Alyssia sitting on a step in between the Roti hut and Saltfish and Bakes stall and she was coincidently talking to the same guy who Isiah shoo'ed off earlier. She seemed really uncomfortable and her eyes seemed to scream help me. "Ohh baby girl there you are, I've been looking for you", Cameron said rushing up to Alyssia hugging her and pulling her away from the man. "Who are you?", the guy asked standing up, "Her boyfriend, who are you", Cameron asked. "I'm James, sorry I didn't know this was your girl", he held his hands up defensively. James looked over at me, "Eh eh sweet ting it's you again", he licked his lips. "Mmm", I rolled  my eyes. "Let's go girls", Cameron linked both our arms guiding us through back to the Juvenile float. "Well today was... Interesting", I spoke up.