DOWN BY LAW // WHEN THEY SEE US *DISCONTINUED*

Chapter 20

Not edited

Opportunities come & go.

We'll find a way.

1991, New York
Queensbridge

Megan McCoy

Fresh had at least 100 days in jail with that possession charge. Things could have went worse. But with bad things, something good happens. Raymond & D rekindling their relationship, no more Monica, Rose with her promotion & Lyric had that meeting with Uptown records.

But with me, I had nothing special; yet.

I've been working with trying to create my own brand, it's been paying for the most part but it's so much work. Selling clothes from the street corner, I'm moving my store into the discount mall soon. But they've been here to help me, selling shirts, accessories.

They're my true friends.

Who you know would stand in 90 degrees weather for 8 hours selling shirts?

"Where's Lyric, her ass about to be late, it's too cold for this shit," Rose groaned, swinging her keys, she took the day off to make sure Lyric was making the right idea.

"She's getting dressed, don't worry bout' it" D smiled, eating her ice cream on top of the hood of the car. We had to be there by 9:30, and it's 8:50 right now, it's still a far ways & we don't know where it's exactly located.

"Her ass taking too long, and tell her I want my gas money"

"Yea' Yea'," Dmirikel waved, "let's go get her Megan, and turn off ya' damn car"

I cackled, no one told Rose to leave her car running if anything she's just wasting her gas & fuel.

Lyric Jackson

"Don't touch me, it ain't my fault you got ya' ass beat on MTV" I pushed Nasir's face back with my free hand while the other was tightly gripped. He had another thing coming if he wanted me to apologize for my boyfriend beating him up.

"But I love you, I love everything about you. What does he have that I don't huh? Your smile, every-time I was in New York City, I saw you in the courts. You caught my attention, please don't let him get in between what we could have" I rolled my eyes, while the grip became looser, I know what it's like to feel rejected.

But he needs to let it go. Literally.

His face was all bruised & I could tell that he was genuine.

"I love you Nasir- but not like that, you're just another friend to me" I slowly pulled my hand back, his eyes are watery but I know he's too strong to let his tears fall.

"Call me when he breaks your heart" he walked back upstairs while I scoffed. That'll never happen. I know Korey better than he knows himself.

"What was you taking so long?" I looked at Dmirikel who had ice cream dripping on her chin. Megan & her looked a little annoyed.

"You look good girl" Megan squealed, hugging me as I stumbled back, walking in heels was so new to me.

What Nasir said still bothered me, Korey would never intentionally hurt me. He had me, I was his lock & he was my key.

"Yo' fat ass take too long, hurry up!" Rose complained waving her keys back and forth.

"I know you not talking that's not even yo' car!" Megan flinched at her while we all hopped in.

"What's his is mine, simple"

***

"So all you have to do is sign here an-"

"Uhnnn Uhnnn, hold up, how much she getting paid? How long is the contract for? You aren't about to finesse her" Rose stood up, eyeing the attendant, they've been rambling on about their facilities & successful artists but not focusing on how I can be another successful artist.

"$1,000 a month minimum is our budget for our new artists, this contract says 3 years minimum but if not compliant you can legally held up to 10 years with us-"

She paused looking at the black men trying to enter the room.

"Calm down Dalvin," a couple of guys came into the room, if looks could kill, we'd be dead. They looked super upset as if I did something wrong.

"I thought we had an interview and here he is, discussing our contract with some girl-"

"It ain't that serious Devante," the four men continued to argue while we looked around in shock.

"What did he mean, our contract? Is it something you ain't telling us?"

Piecing it together it wasn't hard to understand, whoever came first today got the record deal, it's like they were begging for new artists. Why couldn't they take both of us?

"Let's have a deal- whoever could get the biggest crowd from their music can stay an-"

"No thank you," I quickly got up, sliding my chair in, I'm not competing with them, when in reality I know I can find some other place that's better. "Let this fine group of men take this," I grabbed my purse, walking away from everyone.

It looked dumb but I have everything under control. With or without them I'll make it, I know I will.