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( CHAPTER NINE: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ) February, 1990
❝are you going to a club or a wedding, son?❞
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"Now this is what I'm talkin' about!" Devon whistled, earnest brown eyes staring at the interior of his hotel room, his broken sneakers tapping across the polished wooden floorboards as he surveyed his surroundings. Their flight to Pensacola was a quick one, and Devon was thankful for that, since his upset stomach was ready to explode at any waking moment. And as they disembarked the jet and made their way to the grand five-star hotel that they were staying at, Devon found himself stunned yet again.
Although the young black male was expecting a surreal experience while on tour with Janet, he hadn't even thought about the luxury that would accompany his adventure as well. "Yo, you have to check out the bathroom!" The nasally voice of his roommate, Jake, bounced across the tile walls, causing for Devon to slightly cringe at the unpleasant sound.
Jake was one of the other few backup dancers who had been through a dance academy, studying the art form with plenty of funds from his wealthy parents. He was sometimes a snob when it came to dance, so Devon was surprised they were sharing a room, when they couldn't be more different. "J, how many times do I gotta tell ya?" Devon groaned, stomping into the bathroom with a scowl tapped to his face, "Don't ever say 'yo' or 'dawg' or 'homie', it ain't your style," Devon said.
Jake stood there dumbfounded, his inability to listen to Devon's advice extremely infuriating. It didn't help that Jake was a pale guy with light brown hair and eyes, so that language sounded comical coming out of his mouth. "Whatever dawg, you gotta check this out," Jake snarled, once again not listening to Devon's words. Man, if the brothers from Harlem ever heard this guy. . . Devon thought, a slight smile sliding across his dimpled cheeks at the thought.
Shaking his head, Devon proceeded to gaze at the smooth black tiles that covered the walls. The room smelt of lavender, and the pristine glass shower and enormous bathtub overlooked the view of the city. "I'm in love," Devon mumbled, his gaze melting wondrously at the sight before him. If TJ was with him, he would definitely pimp this place out in order to impress all the girls.
Sighing happily, Devon skipped out of the bathroom and opened the front door, finding himself face to face with Jimmy, who bunched his knuckles expectantly. "Janet wants to do a rehearsal before the show tomorrow," Jimmy said, glancing at Devon's rigid form, "Hurry up homeboy!"
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Sweat drizzled down Devon's round face as the blasting beats of 'Nasty Boys' blared through the Pensacola Civic Centre — where Janet's concert would be held. Devon had never seen a stadium so big, but then again, he hadn't been to a stadium at all in his short lifetime. Despite the overwhelming thought of the empty stands being stacked with people, the twenty-one-year-old held onto his head, focussing on the task at hand: dancing his heart out.
