Don't lose me

𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫

9pm
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"So would you consider this the first date?" He asks.

After leaving the restaurant we chose to just walk around the city and talk.

"Oh so that's what this was?!" I laugh making him laugh.

"I mean I thought it was.We went out to a nice restaurant.Talked for hours.Seemed like a date to me right?" He asks looking down at me.

"Ask me again later on," I chuckle making him laugh, "I like that restaurant though ..we gotta go back sometime," I laugh.

"Forreal."

"I missed doing this," He mumbles to himself.

"Doing what?" I ask.

"Having fun," He looks down at me as we stop behind other people.

"Walking and talking?" I ask.

"Well I mean like being able to just walk like a normal human being without being mobbed by a whole bunch of people.I don't get much free time to do what I used to do even if I do live in Soho."

"You can't live like that Rak, you gotta be able to have time to yourself and, I know it's probably not my place, but you can't let traveling around the world as a artist take over you if that makes sense."

"Kind of.." He trails off laughing.

"Like you can't let that world fully take over you and fully take control of your old life.The life you had before the fame and everything.Like you should be able to go to harlem and see family and just live you know?"

"I feel you," He chuckles, "I definitely feel you. I gotta feel like myself can't let the industry pull me in too much."

"Exactly.All i'm saying," I look up at him making him smile.

We walked to get to the train that would take us to Times Square.We weren't doing any shopping or anything but just take in the scenery we have been since we were kids.

"Yo that's the M&M store over there? Man I ain't been there in I don't know how long!" He scoffs looking down at me.

"Stop? You deadass?"

"Deadass."

"C'mon we gotta go now!" I laugh grabbing his hand moving past a bunch of people before getting inside the crowded store.

"Damn, this wild crazy.. I honestly don't remember the last time I came here I been too caught up," He explains as we start walking around.

"That is mad crazy," I sigh watching him getting excited just being in the store.

Watching him act as a little kid and go around grabbing candy was honestly sad.It was sad to me.It opened my eyes a little bit of how busy he truly is.

I mean, to not be able to get away and walk places and take the train to wherever in New York and being able to just feel free was sad.

I could never imagine being so sucked into the industry that they'll keep me away from home and keep me away from that little bit of normal ness and happiness was beyond me.

"I can't believe your mom really chased down Rakim with you in a stroller on the sidewalk and had him sign your diaper!" I laugh making him laugh.

"No lie yo, she deadass chased him for three blocks until he finally rolled down his window and she asked him to sign my diaper," He laughs making me laugh more.

By this time it was already going on two o'clock in the morning.We had been out to dinner, to the M&M's store and have been walking around Times Square talking.

"Do you have work today?" He asks me.

"Nah, I'm off today..wait it's already the next day?!" I laugh pulling out my phone and seeing missed messages from my mom and siblings.

"Time really goes by when you having fun," He laughs, "Oh shit what's this place?" We stop in front of a place with red curtains in the window but no sign.

"I don't know maybe it's new..wanna see?" I look up at him.

"Hell yeah," He mumbles opening the door for me.

It was a club.Karaoke club at that.There were two guys up front singing Nicki Minaj while people were eating and drinking liquor at their tables cheering them on.

"This is a cute little place.." I say, "okay lets leave," I quickly turn around before he stops me.

"Nope.Look they're done go up there and sing something!" He smiles.

"Rakim.. I don't know about that, you're the only person I ever sang in front of," I explain, "and plus O don't think these people are gonna like it."

"Aaliyah don't doubt yourself.Im telling you," He grabs my hand leading me to the front of the stage, "People are gonna love you."

"I don't think so."

"You'll never know until you try," He says giving me the microphone and sitting down at the bar.

I look through the computer and pick out Whitney Houston's 'I will always love you'. Before I sang I wanted to introduce myself.

"Um.." I mumble before exhaling, "My name is Aaliyah and I'm gonna be singing Whitney Houston's 'I will always love you'," I start hearing the song start.

"WHOOOOO YOU GOT THIS!" Rakim cuffs his hands together shouting making me laugh.

"If I should stay, I would only be in your way," I start off before everyone starts clapping and 'whooing', "So I'll go, but I know I'll think of you every step of the way," I smile at Rakim who was smiling at me, "And I will always love you I will always love you.. you, my darling you, hm! Bittersweet memories that is all I'm taking with me.So, goodbye please, don't cry we both know I'm not what you, you need. And I will always love you I will always love you."

"YESSSSS!"

"YOU GO GIRL!"

"WHOOOO!"

All while I was singing I would keep watching how Rakim was watching me.He was like in awe of me singing in front of my first crowd.

"I hope life treats you kind and I hope you have all you've dreamed of and I wish to you joy and happiness.But above all this, I wish you love...."

"WHOOOO!"

"And I will always love you.I will always love you
I will always love you I will always love you.I will always love you I, I will always love youuuuuu!" I finish up before everyone in the club stands up and claps.

It honestly felt good singing in front of a club full of like a hundred people.It wasn't much but it made me happy.It gave me the confidence to be more open about my voice.

"I told you! What I told you!" He laughs as I walk off the stage hugging him.

"Excuse me, My name is Monte Lipman Im the CEO of Republic Records here in New York you're Aaliyah right?" A man asks coming up to us.^

"Yes, Aaliyah Almanzar," I smile shaking his hand.

"Have you ever performed before or are currently signed with anyone?"

"Nah, this is actually my first time coming here and singing.I've never sang live before."

"I'm really interested in working with you..here's my card and please make an appointment with me sometime I 'd be happy to talk more with you," He smiles before leaving.

"Are you deadass?" I scoff looking at his card then up at Rakim, "and how did he not notice you?"

"That was the point," He laughs, "I wanted you to get that recognition on your own."

"Awww!" I smile.

"Aww!" He mocks me making me laugh, "c'mon let's get outta here!"