As You Are (The Weeknd)

Prologue

Jayda

    "Please, Mr.Artina. I need this one day off. I requested today off over a month ago, Mr.Artina. Please, I need this," I pleaded as I followed my manager through the bakery. It was eight in the morning on a Thursday and though the bakery opened thirty minutes ago, it was hectic. "I don't care, Jayda. We need you here. We gotta bake cakes and other stuff for three weddings, five birthdays, two parties, and all these customers coming in," my boss said as he packaged a box of peanut butter cookies. "Order number 38!" Mr.Artina called before handing the box of cookies to Gavin who looked at me remorseful. "I understand that but this audition means everything to me. This may be my only shot to reach my dream," I explained as he grabbed a empty box of napkins and threw them away before replacing them with a new pack.

    I had been working at Artina and Co. Bakery since I moved to New York a year ago. I only moved here to take care of my aunt and hopefully find a permanent dance position but that was't happening. I finally got an audition and made time for it as soon as I heard about it but my manager was now trying to force me to work on what may be the blessing I've been looking for. "This is your job, Jayda so I don't care. It's a silly audition for nothing which means my time will be wasted and my bakery has limited employees so I don't care," Mr.Artina ranted as he waved his hands in frustration. "But this is my shot!" I defended loudly causing customers to stare. Mr.Arinta sighed in frustration as he narrowed his eyes at me before pulling me towards the kitchen.

    "Now listen here, you brat," Mr.Arinta began once we were in the kitchen. I raised my eyebrow at his words wondering who he was talking to. "When you came to this city looking for a job we hired you when no one but family works here and when you had no professional experience in baking. Now here you are trying to leave when you're needed what does that show of who you are and how appreciative you are for what my family has done for you?" Mr.Artina said angrily. "I'm grateful for everything that you and your family have done for me, Mr.Artina but you knew my dream from day one. And you knew about this audition over a month ago. This is my chance and I won't just let it go," I argued. "No, you will "just let it go." You either let it go, put on an apron, and get to helping Gio with that fondant or you go to that audition and lose your job. What's it gonna be, Jayda?" Mr.Artina asked. I looked to see my Italian coworkers staring at me awaiting my next move. My only source of income or my dream since forever?

    I looked away from my coworkers and back to the eyes of my slim boss. "I'll be back for my last paycheck," I said before walking away. I could here my now former boss yelling and feel everyone's eyes on me I walked away but I drowned it all out as I left the little blue bakery. Tears fell from eyes and down my brown cheeks but I refused to go back or even let myself regret my decision. I adjusted the black strap to my red gym bag as I walked down the sidewalk with my head held high. I wouldn't have a place to sleep tonight if I didn't get this audition which meant I would be homeless but sometimes we have to make sacrifices in order to get what we've been working for...right?

*This is only a prologue that's why it's short as hell but FINALLY A NEW STORYYYYYY!!!!!!! I'm sorry I basically vanished but I had to fix some things within my life with no distractions but I'm back now. This actually isn't the new story I was supposed to be putting out (still typing and editing it). This idea has been floating my head for months but I didn't really give it much thought until a couple days ago. I haven't done a story about The Weeknd (and kept it) so I just felt like I should do it especially sense basically all of the stories I've read about him with African American girls in it, the girl is always light skinned. There's nothing against light skins because I'm light skinned, I just feel like brown skinned girls and dark skinned girls should be the love interest more in stories about Abel. I'm ranting so anyway, I hope y'all enjoyed this please vote, follow, and even message me if you feel like it. Much love, peace, and blessings lovely people*