Should've Been Me

Reminisce - 1988

15-year-old Nasir Jones walked around the busy room in awe. There were so many famous people at the party that he couldn't believe he'd even got in. He and his friend Bunky talked his uncle O'Shea into letting them follow him to the party. As soon as they got inside, his uncle had slapped them both on the shoulder and danced his way towards a crowd of women. As Nasir looked around the room, he wasn't paying attention and bumped into someone.

"Dammit!"
"Uh, my bad Miss. Here, let me help you with that."
"I got it, I got it. Can you uh, get me another napkin and some water?"
"Aight."

Nas shook his head as he made his way over to the table. He took a cup from the table along with several napkins and made his way to the kitchen. As he filled the cup with water, he heard someone call his name loudly.

"NAS!"
"What's up man?"
"This my brother I was telling you fellas about. His name's Nas and he can rap his ass off!"
"Oh yeah? Tell ya what. Y'all little cats come through the block this Friday. We got a rap battle going on. We'll see what you got."
"No doubt."
"Oh shit son! It's on now!"
"That's dope fam. Now I gotta work on my flow!"
"You got like, three days! You got this son!"
"Aye yo man, I'll be back. I gotta take this to a shorty I bumped into out in the living room."
"Aight."

Nas went back to the area where he was and looked around. He hadn't really looked up at the woman's face but he'd seen what she had on. And her feet were pretty as hell. He looked down for the shoes and saw them over by the couch. He chuckled as he saw her still rubbing her dress.

"Here you go."
"Thank you."

She looked up and Nas felt his breathing hitch for a moment. To say she was gorgeous would be an understatement. She was hands down the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. He watched as she dabbed at the spot on her dress before wiping it. He stared at her, not realizing Bunky walked up, talking to him. It wasn't until the woman looked up and met his eye, looking at him amusingly.

"NAS! Man, are you okay?!"
"Oh, uh, yeah. I'm cool."
"Damn she fine!"
"How old are you two?"
"Uh, well, we're -,"
"No disrespect shorty, but don't let the age fool ya."
"Ha! You two don't even look like you've hit puberty yet!"
"Oh the balls have dropped. Check for yourself."
"Ugh, no thanks. But, how does my dress look?"
"Good. But on you, amazing."

Nas couldn't stop staring. He let the music drown out Bunky's poor excuse of flirting as he looked at the woman up and down. Something about her seemed oddly familiar. Then he heard Bunky's loud gasp and shook his head.

"Damn! I knew I recognized you! You the babe from the Spuds MacKenzie commercials!"

Nas' head flipped back at her with wide eyes. Bunky was right. He knew she looked familiar! The woman smiled and playfully rolled her eyes.

"I see you are a fan?"
"Oh hell yeah! But not as much as my boy! He learned how to -,"
"Aye Bunky! What the hell son?!"

The woman laughed as she looked at Nas. She had to admit, even though he looked really young, he was cute. With his little gold chain and fresh cut, he definitely had swag. She pursed her lips before taking a bold step towards him.

"So, Nas, how old are you?"
"Uh, I, umm. 15."
"Well shit. How did y'all get in here?"
"My uncle got us in..."
"Y'all know y'all could get in a lot of trouble being here..."
"Yeah, but shorty, we're low key. Ain't that right Nas?"
"Well, we were low key until you started turning heads."
"It's what I do homie! In fact, you might as well say, I just started your career."
"Career? You act?"
"Naw shorty. My boy here is going to be the next big thing on the rap scene. A legend."
"Oh yeah? Those are some big words."
"Trust me shorty. Remember this face. You'll definitely see it again."
"Indeed. I hope that I do..."
"By the way, we never caught your name..."
"It's Lela. Lela Rochon."
"Well as gorgeous as you are, I'm sure you'll be a big name as well."
"I sure hope so."
"Baby, where have you been?"
"I missed and bumped into this young man and he was helping me with the stain."
"Yooooo! Jermaine Jackson!"
"That's me. Sorry kid, no autographs."
"I wasn't asking..."
"Mmm. Well, darling, I have someone I want you to meet."
"Oh, okay. Well Nas, it was really nice meeting you and your friend."
"Uh, yeah, it was nice meeting you too Lela."
"It's BUNKY!"

Nas laughed as Bunky yelled at Lela's retreating back. He had a stupid grin on his face and he couldn't wipe the smile off even if he tried to.

"My boy's a goner!"

Nas wouldn't run into Lela again until a couple of years later. The year after they met, she got a role in "Harlem Nights" with Eddie Murphy and Red Foxx. Nas watched the movie so many times that he knew every line by heart. By the time they ran into each other again, Nas was 17 and getting ready to release his first rap album. He had no idea how life would be. Yet neither did Lela. Both were embarking on a journey in their careers that were just getting started. Both with promising futures in both life and love.

And they developed a friendship that would be tested beyond belief. Two hearts falling hopelessly in love but sadly, can't do anything about it. Or so they thought. It's never too late to mend a broken heart and be with the person made for you.