Collided

Chapter 11 | You've Changed

A Month Later

I'm Singing My Heart Out In Zero's Basement Trying To Hit This One Note In This Song. Once I Hit That Note, The Album Is Finished. I Took Off My Headphones, So I Could Take A Break, And Rest My Vocal Cords. I Pulled Out My Phone, And Logged Into Instagram. I Took A Quick Picture, And Posted It. I Instantly Received Three Hundred Likes, And I Smiled.

I Heard Footsteps Approaching Me, And I Quickly Put My Phone Away. Zero Entered The Room, And I Sparked My Blunt.

"Hey Babe." Zero Greeted.

I Looked At Him, And Pulled. I Still Feel His Belt Whipping Me On My Back, Arms, And Legs. Zero Took Notice, And Let Out A Unpleasant Sound.

"How Many Times Do I Have To Tell You I'm Sorry. I'm Just Preparing You For The Star You're Becoming." He Said. "You're Supposed To Be In The Booth Right Now Anyways."

"I'm Taking A Break." I Said Flatly.

He Licked His Teeth.

"A Break? London, This Album Is Supposed To Be Out In Three Days. You Don't Have Any Time To Take A Break."

"Who Said?" I Taunted.

"We Did. You're Fans Are Waiting Patiently For This. It's Only A Matter Of Time Before They Get Impatient And Leave You."

I Pulled From My Blunt.

"Let 'Em."

Zero Grabbed My Arm And Led Me Into The Booth. He Placed The Headphones Over My Head, And Walked Outside.

"Now Finish." He Instructed Over The Speaker.

I Sighed, And Began To Sing. I Still Couldn't Hit That Note But I Did What I Could Do. I'll Try Another Angle Later.

***

I Opened My Car Door, And Stepped In. I Told Zero That I'll Be Talking Business With My Mother. I Played My Music As I Drove To The Outdoor Restaurant. I Let Valet Park My Car, As I Walked Towards My Mom. She Hugged Me, And We Both Sat Down.

     "How've You Been? You Haven't Called In Like What? A Month?" Mom Asked.

    I Sighed And Took Out A Contract, And A Pen.

     "Here. This Is A Confidentiality Agreement. It States That Whatever I Tell You Stays Between Us, And You Can't Tell The Public. If You Do, I Can Sue You For All You Have. Or You Can Go To Jail. Now, This One Is For You. You Can Look It Over Now, Or Later It's Up To You." I Explained.

    My Mom Inspected The Contract. Her Face Is Scrunched Up As She's Reading The Words.

      "Are You Kidding Me London? Why On Earth Will I Expose You Like That, You're My Daughter."

I Let Out A Harsh Chuckle.

       "I'm My Father's Daughter Too, And Since I'm Becoming Who I Am He Will Try Anything To Bring Me Down Along With My Soon To Be Empire With Zero." I Stated.

Mom Gave Me A Look.

      "London---"

      "Are You Going To Sign The Agreement Or Cease All Communications With Me Instead?" I Asked, Impatiently.

"Fine. Only Because I Love You." Mom Said As She Clicked The Pen.

She Searched For Where She'll Put Her Signature Down, And Once She Found It She Signed. Mom Handed The Paper Over, And I Placed It Into My Purse Along With The Pen.