Before Dawn

Chapter 1

The beginning
~
I sat in the back of the room, unnoticed by most accept the people who sat beside me. It was open mic night at the club, and somehow only being 17 I got in with my friend.

I hated how they didn't have any of these things for kids my age. I was really contemplating on having one of my own, create a space we're kids my age can showcase their talent, so they won't have to sneak into clubs. My living room was big enough for an open mic.

But this, this was the only time I could go out to see some real art, hear real stories told in the most beautiful ways. It was a lot of kids who had that around my way, but you would've never knew because nobody wants to give us a try.

But I will, I walk pass niggas every they and each of them are different, with different talent with no platform to show it. But today is different, today I was gonna go up on that stage, take a deep breath and sing with my mommas voice.

Before she died, she was a huge music fan, big on music and a voice like an angel. That was me I loved everything that had to do with music, I didn't care what typed it was. If I liked it I liked it.

After seeing a couple acts, I was so caught up in the beauty of everyone I didn't hear my name being called.

"Now next on our list we have Zora." The host called my name and just like my extra ass friend are she cheered louder than anybody in the room.

I chuckled at her foolishness, making my way to the stage.

"Who friend is that. That's my friend, you go boo." Yelled my bestie Mecca as I walked towards the stage trying to shake off any nerves I had built.

I wasn't afraid to sing in front of people, but I still sometimes get jitters before I do.

You never know how someone will respond on what you think art is. That's why I'm always cautious on who I share my art, and space with.

Once I got up on the stage I looked out in the crowd, everybody looked different underneath the spotlight I stood under. I couldn't really tell who was all out there because I didn't have my glasses, but that didn't matter, I just wanted to sing.

"Hi my name is Zora's Summer." I said before stepping away from the mic.

Some people cheered, and others said hi back.

I took a deep breath then walked back up to the mic.

''Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly with his song"

My voice flowed perfectly with the instruments, as I used breath control to hit each note.

"I heard he sung a good song
I heard he had a style and
So I came to see him and
Listen for a while and there
He was this young boy a
Stranger to my eye."

I finished this song with my eyes closed, and by the time they opened people were standing clapping. I awkwardly bowed then lightly jogged off the stage.

When I got to the table my bestie Mecca was standing with her arms open for me.

"Aww babe, you did so good mammas I'm proud Z." When she wrapped her arms around me I swear I could feel my momma.

Mecca was the real deal, my biggest support system. We always, always had each other backs, right or wrong she's forever my sister.

Me and Mecca became friends when I moved down here after my mother died. It's like she was my own personal angel from heaven.