Starfish & Coffee ( Prince Nelson Story )

Waiting Room

I quietly make my way into a dimly lit recording studio.

2 tall, black chairs were  set in front of a sound board. One of them had to be for me because Prince was in the other; his all black ensemble blending in with the ambiance. The one thing that led me to notice his presence was the glow of a screen in his hands.

My cellphone screen.

"Whose Ebony?" He asks, not bothering to look up. My jaw drops. Was I really that loud?

"None of your business!" I shout in disbelief. "Why are you going through my shit?!?"

"Why are you wandering through my house?" He retorts

"Are you reading through my texts?!"

"No," He replies honestly. "She just keeps sending you messages. I think she's worried. You should call her."

I step toward him, reaching my hand out.

"Oh no." He grips the phone a bit tighter. "I'll put it on speaker."

"Are you kidding me?" I sigh exasperated.

"I want you to be able to enjoy yourself. Cellphone and distraction free. Tonight's about the music." He smiles. "I'll give it back after tonight's over."

I step closer to him and dial Ebony's number. He puts the phone on speaker.

"You're really giving me my phone back after this night ends right?"

"I promise." Prince's voice seems softer now. The phone rings one final time.

Ebony: Done already?

Me: No- Ebony be quie-

Ebony: Wow that was quick. What-

Me: EBONY!

I shout at the top of my lungs, stopping her before she could finish the rest. Prince's eyes widen in mock-horror, darting from me back to my cellphone screen.

Ebony: Why are you yelling?!?

Me: Just- Just... I wanted to let you know that I'm fine. I won't be able to reply to your texts tonight though

EBONY: Yeah, Prince keeps those electronics on lockdown when you head to Paisley. I figured as much.

Me: Yeah well I'll text you la-

EBONY: Wow, I can't believe you called Prince an asshole

I can feel his eyes again, burning a hole in the side of my face. Blood rushes to my cheeks.

EBONY: You're really dumb, you know that?

I grit my teeth

Me: Ebony... what if I told you that Prince was in the room with me right now?

Ebony: I'd say "Bitch Stop Lying"

I look to Prince who then looks up at me. He holds the phone up to his mouth, rolling his eyes

Prince: Hi Ebony

Ebony: ....................

Prince: ..........

Me: Ebony?

Ebony: .......... *heavy breathing*

Prince: .........

Me: EBONY

Ebony: P-P-PRINCE?!!!!?!??

Prince: Yes.

Ebony: I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I LOVE YOUR WORK. OKAY I WAS THERE THROUGH IT ALL. WELL NOT FOR THE BEGINNING PARTS CAUSE I WASNT BORN YET BUT EVERYTHING ELSE I- YOU ARE A GOD

Prince: *clears throat* Well, I wouldn't say all of that but I do appreciate you deeply... Thank you.

Ebony: YOURE WELCOME PRINCE.

Me: E!! Your volume.

Ebony: IM SORRY. PRINCE?! TAKE CARE OF MY GIRL OKAY?!?

Prince: Ebony, I promise your friend is in good hands.

Ebony; *scoffs* Oh I bet she is.....And- And... could you say my name one last time please?

Prince: *smirks* Go to sleep, Ebony.

With that Prince hangs up and I cut to the chase.

"So, what,
did you just bring me here so I could be another one of your endless groupies? Another notch under your belt?"

"Mmm..." He rests his hand underneath his chin as if he were thinking real hard. Whatever answer he had, I was ready to shoot it down QUICK. I'm NOT a one night stand. "You're really not my type." he concludes.

.........

"Oh.."  THAT cut like a knife.

"Yeah, you're too loud." He states flatly, getting up from his chair and brushing past me with my phone in his hand