"Knowles-Maraj residence." I uncapped my water and took a long sip.
"Don't tell meh you've gone and gotten hitched before I could even meet ya child."
My eyes nearly fell out of my skull. That could only be one person. "Mrs. Maraj I-" I choked.
"C...
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to any (song) names/persons mentioned in this story. This is a fictitious representation of events. Uses are for entertainment purposes only.
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"Relax your shoulders." I did so. "Breathe in." Did that too. "And sing from your head not your diaphragm, remember what we practiced."
"Okay." I nodded, shaking my nerves out.
There was a room full of people today. Not enough to be considered an actual audience, but definitely more than what I was used to. Yara and I had been working on not only finding my range, but toning my voice. That I was used to. But with so many expectant eyes on me I felt like a performing monkey.
She started again but this time I was so focused on the suits I missed my count and messed up on one of the easiest pitches for me. Yara stopped playing abruptly and gave me a confused look.
"Are you nervous?" I nodded, slowly at first, then double time when I looked back. "Take ten Bey. We'll be right back."
I shrugged almost imperceptibly, leaning on the lid. I looked back when I heard the footsteps get quieter then dropped my head on top of my forearms. I knew I could hit that note. I'd been able to do it all week. People listening in is what threw me. As soon as I saw the suits I 'bitched up' as my body double would tell me. Nerves were always my biggest obstacle.
If you can't sing in front of a handful of people, how the hell are you gonna perform in arenas? I scolded myself.
"This is why I didn't wanna do this." I groaned.
"Relax sugarplum. That's what you have me for."
I lifted my head slightly, rolling my eyes before dropping it back down. "Can you not? I have enough to deal with. I really don't wanna be hearing voices right now."
"Last time you shooed me away you got your ass beat." I could just hear her trying to smother a giggle.
I lifted my head once more. "Fuck you." I mugged her, narrowing my eyes.
"You miss her huh Cupcake."
I just stared at her, further contorting my features into a look of pure disdain. "What's your name?"
"Sasha." She replied simply. "You gon answer my question Cupcake?"
I sighed heavily. I couldn't stand her. It was like she lived to get under my skin. Especially with the way she pronounced my name, being intentionally hard on the c's. I wanted to-
