nineteen

2 days later

"Fuck you mean the shit collapsed?" I ask Miriam over the phone.

"A pipe leaked last week. They been tryna fix it before the tour but the water flooded everything and shit just collapsing" she explains.

"So wassup? They fixing shit?"

"They tried. Everything"

"So..? What's the next move? Where am I performing at?"

"That's the problem" Miriam starts.

I take the phone from my ear, put it on speaker, sit it on the kitchen island and go sit on my couch.

"Spit it out Mir" I let out awaiting the bad news.

"Ty'elle, the two other stadiums aren't gonna go. They booked up"

"How hard did you try?" I ask with my heart slowly breaking.

"Hard. Ty"

"So wassup? Last show is canceled?"

"Ty.." she trails off.

"Miriam, just tell me"

"If you want your last show at home, in Charlotte, yes"

"Miriam" I choke on the feeling in my chest with the tears forming in my eyes.

"Either that or we wait"

"Wait how long?"

She's quiet on the other line.

"Miri? How long?"

"I don't know Ty"

Trying not to cry, throw my head back and bite my lip.

"Ty?"

"Yeah? Ima call you later" I say getting up to get my phone and hang up.

Damn, I waited soooo long for this show. I had everything planned perfectly.

"Fuck it" I mumble grabbing my keys and heading out to my car.

Pulling into the ABC store parking lot, I sit back against the seat.

I'm not gonna do it. I just feel the need to be here.

For a minute, I observe the people walking in and out of the store. I wonder and base off of their appearance if they're addicts or they're just drinking to 'have fun'. Most of them look young. Not legally old enough to drink. 19 maybe.

Jet lets anybody purchase alcohol. Hell, I should know. I do know. He used to sell to me.

One person about 5'5, brownskin, and slim thick in black adidas sweatpants and a plain back hoodie caught onto my eye as they made their way into the store alongside a dude.

Autumn P.O.V

"Nobody's watching you weirdo. You're not special" Mari assures me as I swirl my head looking for the invisible cameras.

"Mari this don't feel right. Somebody gonna get me". I say being paranoid.

"Autumn. You're of age. Nobody's watching you, nobody's gonna get you" he says swatting away my paranoia.

He doesn't know about my addiction or my sobriety. I only came here with him for support. I was never ever gonna drink. He doesn't drink either but he's here for the party he and his homeboys are throwing tonight.

Being here is triggering but I don't tell him that but I do tell him...

"Mari, I'm hungry. Get what you gotta get, I'm going to get some food" I say backing out of the store and resting against the cool brick outing of the building.

After gathering myself, I head across the street to McDonalds.

"What can I get you?" The cashier asks sweetly staring into my soul.

"Lemme get a Double Cheeseburger. No onions, no mustard" I tell her reaching for my wallet.

"That all?"

"I got a code. 63-86. And let me get a Coke. And a cookie tote"

"Do you wanna make that a cheeseburger meal?"

"Yeah sure. Just make sure my cookies there I guess"

"$16.47. Cash or card?"

I slide my card, grab my receipt and walk to a table to wait on my order.

Incoming call from Je'Mari🥷🏾

"Where you at bitch ass nigga?" He asked as soon as the phone connects.

"I told your ugly as I was hungry" I answer back mugging dumble dee through the phone.

"Ole fat ass. Get me what you get yourself. Ima be parked outside"

"No" I say hanging up

Few seconds later.

"Can I get another cheeseburger meal" I ask the same cashier with piercing eyes.

"Thank you!" Mari says popping his lips.

"You aggravating as fuck. I can't stand your gay ass" I tell him laughing.

"Coming from the carpetbagger"

"Uhh you irritate me. Come on take me home"

He laughs and then starts the car up.

"Je'Mari?!" Semi-shout whipping my head towards him.

"What Autumn damn? You can't be scaring a nigga like that"

"Please. You scare ya damn self everytime you look ina mirror" I say shaking off my paranoia.

"Autumn you not the one to talk"

"Talk what? I'm sexy nigga"

"Autumn shut up before I put you out"

I roll my eyes at his hilarious ass and sit back looking out the window.

"Mari for real. You don't have any opps do you?" I ask looking in the rear view mirror.

"Nah, why?" He asks rubbing his beard with his index and thumb while concentrating on the road.

"Je'Mari man that black dodge been following us since we left McDonalds. Ian wanna say nothing cause ian wanna seem paranoid"

He stayed silent observing the black car follow us taking a left then right.

"Autumn, ima take you home"

"But we was supposed t-"

"Nah, none of that right now. Ima drop you at the corner, take the most complicated path home" he informs me.

"Here. But call me and stay on the phone with me"

"Je'Mari"

"Autumn, I don't know who this is. You gotta get home. I promised ya moms that"

"What about you?"

"I'm cool"

He nods at me to answer his phone call and I do.

"Mari"

"Autumn go. Talk to me on the phone"

I get out, shut the door and start walking home. Or somewhat.

Over my shoulder, I can see the black car inching within a few feet of Mari's.

"Stop looking back and go" mari demanded on the phone.

"Mari the car-"

"I see em Mani. Just go"

I begin to speed my walk.

"You good?" Mari asks

"Yeah you?"

"I'm chilling"

"Almost home. You see em?"

"Yeah. 12 o'clock"

I peep over my shoulder not seeing the car.

I slow down at the fact that they're gone and not chasing me anymore.

Looking back once more, I allow myself to breathe before pulling my hoodie off. Facing back forward, my step is cut off by the same black dodge car.

"Get in" they shout.