The Collectives

3:1

******NEW STORY*******

Beyoncé

"Are you ready, Beyoncé?"

I opened my bedroom door & saw my God-sister staring at me.

"What Kelendria?" I said. I turned away from the door and finished getting dressed. I literally had to put my heel on next.

"Don't Kelendria me. We're already 30 minutes late. Damn you take so long." She said. Before I would let her ramble on and on, I decided to make my way downstairs. I greeted the babysitter and stood in front of the living room TV.

"Ryan, RJ" I got Ryan's attention first from the TV.

"Be good for Alicia, okay?"

"Yes mommy." I kissed her cheek and bent down to RJ. I placed my hands on the side of his face to get his full attention.

"RJ. Be good for Alicia and you'll get to play your Michael Jackson game." I saw the sparkle in his eyes for a moment and kissed his cheek before standing back up.

"Alicia you have my number & Kelly's like always. Don't hesitate to call us if something happens." I said to her.

"Yes ma'am. Ryan & RJ are always in good hands." She responded. I smiled, and Kelly grabbed her keys so we could head out.

It's been a minute since I've been to a party and I'm a bit nervous. I feel like I'm out of my element, and I wanted to just turn back around and be with my babies.

"Bey...I already know what you're thinking and I'm not turning around. You're going to enjoy this night out & have fun. You're 30 and you don't have a social life." She said to me.

"Hey! That's not true. I do have a social life." I protested.

"Okay name 10 friends you have and before you start, your co-workers don't count." She got me with that one.

"Okay I can't but that doesn't mean I have to have so many friends to have a social life." I responded.

"That's true but your life shouldn't just consist of work and your kids Bey. You're young, gorgeous & you need companionship & a social life. I'm not saying you'll get all of that tonight but at least try to talk to people." She said.

"Okay I'll try but if Alicia calls about RJ, you can't say I didn't try to stay out."

Kelly rolled her eyes and when I looked back out the window, we were already pulling up to the party. I've never been to an album release party, but because Kelly is a publicist to some rapper, I'm her plus one. Kelly handed the valet her car keys and we walked up the driveway.

~~~~~
Shawn

It's finally the release of my anticipated album and I'm so excited that everyone is liking the tracks so far. I worked hard & so I decided to celebrate with my friends and label mates.

"Yo Jay, we need another round of bottles over here!" My homie Pharrell said. I tapped one of the service girls & had them pass more drinks out. I looked towards the entrance of my house and saw my friend Kelly come inside. She's been my publicist for five years, but my best friend since middle school.

"Hey Shawn! Congrats bro!" Kelly said to me. We hugged and I took a look at the woman standing beside her.

"Oh Shawn this is my God-sister Beyoncé." She said.

"Nice to meet you Beyoncé." I said. We shook hands and I couldn't stop staring at her. She barely gave me eye contact but she looked good as hell.

"Come on in and chill with us." I told the girls. I made the second floor of my house the VIP area near the balcony so we can look over the railing & see what's happening down below. Beyoncé sat down next to me while Kelly went somewhere.

~~~~~
Beyoncé

"Kelly where are you going?" I asked.

"Just chill. I gotta make sure the bloggers and reporters are straight." She said.

"But I don't know anyone up here. I'll walk with you." I said quickly.

"Bey I'll be back and Shawn is right there. He ain't nobody to be scared of." She started walking down the stairs & I sighed. I guess I'll be alright up here. I sipped on a drink that I had no clue was, and looked at all the people dancing.

"So...your name's Beyoncé right?" I looked beside me and it was the Shawn guy I just met.

"Yeah. Shawn right?" I asked. He nodded. I went back to sipping my drink.

"So how do you like the music?"

"It's Alright."

"Alright?" Shawn repeated. He looked kinda offended by that.

"Yea. I don't know who's rapping but it's cool." He smirked and sipped his drink.

Just then the DJ paused the music to speak.

"Alright y'all. Give it up to the man of the hour Jay-Z! We doing it up with the Roc Boys!" The DJ said. There was a light that shined on us and then I saw Shawn get up to wave over the balcony. Then it hit me that he's the host of this whole thing. I felt like such an idiot.

"So you're Jay-Z?" I asked.

"Yeah Ma. Welcome to my party." My entire face turned red and I looked away from him. He turned my face back around.

"Hey you don't have to be embarrassed. I actually find it refreshing you didn't know me at first. You don't listen to Hip-Hop?"

"I'm afraid not. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I should go find Kelly." I dashed down the stairs while Shawn called my name out.