Please excuse ANY grammatical errors.

September 30, 1994

~DeVanté's P.O.V~

"I been seeing y'all walk around each other not saying shit. Especially yo ass. Y'all broke up or some shit?" Pac said snickering.

I released the smoke from my nose. "Fuck her. We wasn't ever a thing."

"Shittt, could of fooled me." Pac laughed and started coughing from the hard hit I took. "Everytime y'all see each other its some shit and a cold shoulder."

"Could of fooled me with y'all. Y'all was tight as hell. Had all of us fooled for a minute. Thought she was a hoe." I chuckled underneath my breath.

"Nah, I ain't ever seen her with nobody in that way and ion think me and her 'a ever work. She fly and got her shit together but nahh. It's strictly friends and business. Why you say fuck her though?" Pac passed me back the blunt.

"Because fuck her. She ain't shit. Took all my shit and gon' get mad at me like I'm the one in the wrong. She the one thievin'. Shit don't make no type of sense. I'm tired of you niggas keep bringin' her up. New subject 'cause she ain't it." I shrugged.

"I believe you."

I sat up, looked at Pac then at the blunt in disbelief. "You spiked this shit or somethin' because I think I'm tripping HARD!?"

"I believe you big eared nigga. Perch up yo ears fuckin' K9!" He said laughing. "You know ion do no other shit but weed, nigga! Can't say that for you though. Did you pop a few or somethin' because you is kinda trippin'." Pac raised his eyebrow at me.

"Finally, a motha'fucka who believe me! My own damn brother ain't believe me! That's crazy..." I trailed of shaking my head at him ignoring all the other bullshit he said. I hear what the fuck I want to hear!

"Why wouldn't I? You said she stole yo shit and I believe you. Shit, ion put nothin' past nobody!"

"Shit, at least somebody don't. People trust everybody. Tsk tsk, you can't be doing that in these streets or industry, I learned that the hard way. Andre Harrell taught me that with the shit he pulled." I shook my head.

"What she steal though?" He asked me.

"Why everybody keep askin' me that?" I said irritated. "Shit don't fuckin' matter. The point is she stole MY SHIT, niggah!" I laughed. "Fuck her."

"Anyways, did yo ugly ass get somethin' down yet?" Pac asked me and I looked at him confused. "The music nigga!"

"Oh! I'm quick on that shit. You know dam well I got somethin' down. If you wanna get technical, I'm done. Got that shit down pack." I slouched back on the couch.

"Fuck you here then nigga!?"

"Because I'm DeVanté motha'fuckin' Swing, I can do what the fuck I wanna do. Not you or some other motha'fucka gon' tell me I can't."

"Nigga, you got a whole label and people depending on yo ass. Do yo job and stop fuckin' aroun'!" He raised his voice.

"I do what the fuck I'm supposed to do. Me and the people under my label gets shit done, no matter what time of day it is. WE GET SHIT DONE. YOU BEST BELIEVE THAT! I may party and shit but I still do my job nigguhh." I pointed at him. We got a bunch of music in the works. Shit, we even got some completed. It's just hard to release that shit because the way the industry works. "You know how the industry work! Shit, you having trouble yo'self with yo peoples."

Then there was a knock on his trailer door. "You mind gettin' that?" He asked me.

"Fuck I look like? Geoffrey or some shit, nigga?" I laid back and he got up. I'm surprised he ain't got no buck naked women in this bitch. This nigga known for that.

"You could be helpful steada' just smokin' up my shit!" He opened the door.

"They need you for a scene. Why you ain't answer your walkie talkie?" I knew that it was Q from his voice. He's an assistant or something shit. I don't know what to call them.

"A'ight, I'm comin'." Pac exhaled loudly and turned to me. "Get yo ass up, I ain't leavin' you with my shit alone!" Pac motioned with his hand.

"Actin' like I'm a thief or some shit!" I stood up, walked towards the door, but not before grabbing all of my things.

"Ion put shit past nobody, remember? Nobody includes yo ass. Specially with you on that shit." He told me. "Cole, stop stankin' my shit up and come on!" He yelled at Cole who been in the bathroom this whole time.

Cole caught a bad case of Taco Bell. That place tastes like bad booty hole so I don't even know why he ate from that nasty and cheap ass place. He came from the back and walked towards the door holding his stomach and ass. Food must have fucked him up bad.

"Fuck y'all laughin' fuhh?" He stood up as best as he could.

"We laughin' at yo funky ass!" Me and Pac said at the same time while cracking up.

Pac locked his trailer door and we started walking to the golf cart to get to the set. The driver started it up and off we went even though I didn't meed to be there. I sat at the back with Cole then popped a pill. Cole looked at me amd shook his head.

"You need to slow down on that shit man. That's gon' fuck you up if you keep on." Cole said eying me.

"Mind yo fuckin' business. Everybody always worried about what DeVanté doin'. Y'all need to worry about y'all self." I said irritated. I'm fed the fuck up on what people keep telling me. "Besides, I been good so far right?" I asked him. Cole just shook his head at me in disappointment and turned the other way.

"Dude, you're late. Everybody is on break now because you took TOO long." Tia said to Pac once we got out the cart. Bitch.

"My bad boss!" Pac said being sarcastic.

"I HATE when you say that. What are you doing here? I didn't see you earlier." Tia said turning her head away from Pac.

I opened my mouth. "Bit-"

"Oh, I ain't get here when everybody else got here." Cole said to Tia. I thought she was talking to me because I was ready to snap after that shit she pulled at the towers that day. Getting all loud and shit at me.

"Oh. You good?" She eyed his stance. Yes, this nigga was still hunched over.

"I'm cool." Cole said to her and she stood there awkwardly nodding.

"Well, since they on break we can go back y'all." Pac told us.

Tia raised her right eyebrow. "No, sir. You're late as is and you haven't even been on set today at all. The rest of them won't be gone too long. It's just a short break." She told him.

"You right." Pac nodded and looked between us. She ain't even acknowledge me or look my way but it cool. That tells you the kind of "friend" she was beforehand, if you can even call that shit a friendship.

"You not even gon' look my way or acknowledge me, huh?" I spoke up.

"Where did Dalvin go?" She looked around ignoring me. "He said he was coming back because he don't wanna stay to watch the scenes. Ye know, spoilers."

"So you gon' ask about my brother and not acknowledge me at all?" I asked her. Nothing.

"I saw him walk pass our ride with Marlon a little while ago." Pac said to Tia. I chuckled at her ignoring me and lit a blunt. She still mad about that petty shit? She need to grow the fuck up!

"I'm sorry Mr but there's no smoking on set or around it unless you are taking part of a scene. If you want to smoke take it elsewhere. Thank you." Tia had a tight smile on her face and nodded.

I chuckled and exhaled the smoke that just so happen to be released in her face. "Now you wanna talk? Fuck you lookin' at me fuhh?" Cole and Pac was standing there looking shocked as hell.

Tia coughed from the smoke. She closed her eyes, bounced her leg up and down, and tapped her thigh. I'm assuming she's trying to calm herself down. She ain't about to do shit so I don't know why she's trying to make it look like she is. She exhaled and screamed at me.

"Fuck that!" She swung at me hitting me in my face TWICE. Cole grabbed her right before her hand came in contact with my face a third time. "DIS-RE-FUCKIN'-SPECTFUL ASS MOTHA'FUCKA'!"

"You outta pocket for that shit nigga!" Cole yelled at me still holding her back. Okay, maybe I am out of pocket but what's done is done.

"My bad, Tia!" I told her chuckling but the apology was genuine.

"Fuck that fake ass apology! Fuck outta heahhh!" She yelled at me. Ghetto Indiana accent came out on me.

"Maybe you should go. That shit was disrespectful as fuck." Pac said shaking his head.

Jax and Bigg Redd came trudging my way. "You gotta go or we gon' have to escort you out." Jax pointed.

I held up my hands in defense. "I'm goin'." I said backing up then turned around. "I'm out."

I ain't got time for one of them niggas tackling me again. The last time that nigga Redd did that my back was hurting for a few days. I should beat ass for that but that would be childish and we ALL know I ain't that. Plus that other one would jump in. Sure Pac and them would help me but I ain't got time for that shit. Dalvin came beating on my window so I rolled it down.

"What?" I asked him nicely.

"Why you so hostile?" Dalvin frowned at me. "I ain't did nothin' to you."

"I was being nice nigga. What you want?" I asked him again.

"I ain't even know you was here or coming today. Unlock the door." He told me and I clicked the button to unlock it. Dalvin walked around to the other side of my ride. "What's up?"

"What you mean?" I raised my eyebrow as I heard him close the door.

"What happened back there with yo ex?" He joked. I looked him sideway. He held his hands up. "I'm just playin' ol' sensitive ass!"

"Which part?" I asked him.

"I saw her swing at you from afar and heard some yelling that's it."

"Oh, it wasn't nothin'." I shrugged.

"Fuck that, I wanna know what happened because she was about to beat yo ass!" Dalvin said laughing.

"She wasn't about to do shit. I would've stopped her before it got that far. She just caught me off guard. I ain't think she would hit my ass. Surprised the fuck outta me with that. She's a biter not a fighter. Know what I'm sayin'?"

Dalvin looked at me and laughed harder. "What you do? I don't see her mad too often."

"Why am I always the bad guy?" I aske him. "I was smoking and she just got mad at me. If you wasn't there during the full thing then you don't need to know. Simple." I told him. "Now, gon' scurry off because I got shit to do now." I waved my hand at him to get out.

"You kickin' yo brotha out? For REAL!?" He joked. "I just want you to know that you my big brother-"

"Nigga, I know that I'm your big brother everybody and they mama know including ours. Go on now." I told him waving my hands.

"You gon' let me finish motha'fucka'? Goddamn..." Dalvin said looking at me. "Like I was saying, you my big brother- we blood and I'm on your side no matter what. I love you bro, but just like you talk sense into me and put me in place when I'm wrong, I'll do the same thing with you. A'ight?" He held his hand up.

I dapped him up. "A'ight, 'preciate it. Now get yo ass on!" I said laughing.

"A'ight nigga. I'm gone, see you lata!" He opened up the door.

"See yo soft ass lata'!" I said once he stepped out my ride.

"So NOW I'M soft!? Nigga please, I'm harder than you- the hardest one in the motherfuckin' group!" He hit his chest.

"Well you keep thinkin' that nigga!" I said shaking my head laughing and drove off.

October 17, 1994

~Tia's P.O.V~

"Cut!" I yelled out to the cast.

"Cut?" Jeff looked at me like I was nuts.

"Yes, did you see that?" I asked him.

"See what?" He asked me. "I thought it was great!"

"It was good but not great. His words were believable but his body language says otherwise."

"Take thirty!" Jeff yelled out to the cast.

"Can you come here for a hot second?" I tapped Duane's shoulder.

"What's the problem? What did I do?" Duane asked me.

"When you said the last three lines, your facial expression didn't meet your eyes or match your body language. You are a great actor but you need to work on that. That's all." I smiled at him. "Good job."

"Thank you." He nodded at me.

"You're welcome." I said and Duane walked to one of the producers to practice. "Come watch this scene right quick." I motioned towards and walked to the controls. "Can you replay us the last four minutes for us, please?" I asked my co-workers.

"Sure." Melinda responded. We watched for a little bit.

"Pay attention right here." I told Jeff.

"Mmhm." Jeff looked closely.

"You see that?" I pointed to the screen.

"Yes, and I feel intimidated." He looked at me. "Your point is?"

"If you say that back where I'm from looking like that won't nobody listen to you. You're a whole joke to them." I told him.

"Rewind that again." Jeff told Melinda.

"B. Mike, can you come over for a second?" I asked and he made his way toward us. "Can you watch this and give us your opinion?"

"Alright." He watched the screen after Melinda pressed play. "The message is there but coming from the messenger- most people'll take him as a joke." He shook his head.

"Thank you." I nodded. "See, he gets it."

"He wrote it but if he says it then okay." Jeff said to me.

"Exactly, so he KNOWS." I told him. "Well, I'm gonna go take my now seventeen minute break." I said looking at my watch.

Then I walked away going to my trailer. My guards right behind me. Yes, I walked because I'm working on maintaining my weight. I lost a lot of weight a year, almost two years ago from being in the hospital. I want to maintain the weight loss and also get toned. DeVanté was standing there in front of my trailer and I frowned at the sight. Jax and Redd were about to get to him but I pushed them back.

"What're you doing here?" I asked him not getting too close. "What are you doing in front of my trailer?" I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms.

"This- this yo trailer? Oh shit, my bad." He said pointing to it. "I know this is yours. I'm here to apologise about the other day."

"Which one? Lately, you been doin' a lot of fucked up things."

He scoffed. "Look, I just came to apologise for blowing the smoke in your face. I shouldn't have did that and it's my bad."

"So, apologise..." I folded my arms.

"I said my bad." He repeated.

I scoffed at him and his fake apology. "Worst apology ever. Out of of the fucked up things you've done, you decide to ONLY apologize about that? You made like you were going to hit me. You're out here trying to ruin my reputation telling everyone I'm a thief. That could ruin opportunities for my career!" I said holding up my finger and adding one on each thing he did. Then I continued on.

"That blowing smoke in my face was disrespectful as hell but the LEAST disrespectful thing that you've done. Disrespectful none the less. You can take yo apology and shove it up yo PILL POPPIN' ass. You're dismissed..." I held my hand up with a smile. He took over two weeks for this. Fuck out of here with that.

"Technically you are a damn thief. Take it or leave it. At least I apologised to yo stuck up ass." He said and started to walk away taking his sweet time.

I exhaled and looked at my door. Okay, I may or may not be scared to open up this door. Who could blame me? That DeVanté dude is unpredictable and I don't put much past him these days. Him or his posse, the one he calls manager. I know a few people who've been handled by Suge Knight or around while he's handling someone else. He's crazy as heck and rubbing off on DeVanté. Feathers of a bird flock together. I walked closed to my door afraid to touch the handle.

"Can you guys stand back please?" I asked them and they moved back some. I snatched open the door, and ran in the opposite direction covering my head. Okay, maybe I am overreacting just a tad bit OR a lot.

"Crazy ass bitch." I heard DeVanté say. "You must think I'm homicidal or some shit." He shook his head and kept walking.

"Ye damn skippy! Ion put shit past you!" I told him then sped walk back to my trailer.

I have to go to the bathroom BAD and been holding it for some time now. Ypur girl drank WAYYY too much water. This cold weather isn't helping my bladder AT ALL! Once I entered the trailer I ran to the restroom to relieve myself. After I finished, I only had a few minutes to spare. I was handling business then DeVanté for the majority of this break.

At this point I'm like F everybody I done met during my career. DeVanté, Tupac and everybody they hang around. Tupac was on some bull believing DeVanté on me being a thief. It's business ONLY from here on out. I feel like De La Soul and Beyonce at the same time, Me, Myself, and I...

Well, one thing I can say is Cole hasn't done anything but I wont stick around until he does. Neither has Derek and I keep in touch with him from time to time. You know, bible stuff. I have Elijah as a friend- a GREAT one at that but sometimes you need balance and Derek is that. I have ALWAYS enjoyed reading and talking about the bible with the right person. I'm spiritual but also a strong believer in God.

November 24, 1994

~Derek DeGrate's P.O.V~

It's Thanksgiving Day and my brothers Dalvin and Donald/DJ/ Junior or as he makes us call him De or DeVanté are both here. Last year they were both on and off tour for their first album. De strong as hell for continuing to tour after the accident. This year we all back together for the holidays since they didn't have much promotion for the last album they made.

They been in North Carolina for the last four days. I offered them to stay at my house, I have more than enough room here. Our parents did the same thing, but I know my brothers, they don't want to stay because they got they groupies the industry people they hang around, and constant smoking. I smoke too and have been since I was young but not like Dalvin or De. They always lighting up. What can I say? It is plant and plants are healthy.

"I'm ready to eat." De said impatiently.

"This a black house. You know the food ain't EVER done on time ESPECIALLY on holidays!" Dalvin told him and aimed the pool stick at the ball.

We are are my parents house in the basement and yes they have a pool table. Pool is acceptable in this house as long as we aren't betting which we are currently doing. That's why we have a lookout person and a codeword for when one of the older people are coming. The young male adults are in the basement, the older ones are upstairs on the main floor, most of the women are in the kitchen, and the kids are on the second floor.

"Nigga you suck!" De said shaking his head at Dalvin's missed shot.

"You see how many balls I hit the last time? Yo ass just jealous that I can aim unlike yo lanky ass. This 'bout the ONLY ball you CAN aim!" Dalvin said laughing at De.

I joined in on the laughing. "You right and can barely do that right." I told Dalvin.

De kissed his teeth at us. "I'm already musically gifted. You can't be both it's impossible!"

"Prince and Dalvin can play basketball. I can play baseball and am too musically gifted. Who else can I name?" I said and found the right ball to hit that can get a good three balls in a hole.

"You forgot dad, he used to be good. Also Shaq got albums out and he's one of the best ball player's right now. Should I continue?" Dalvin raised his eyebrow.

"Fuck you." De said to him.

"Nah, that ain't my job. Nigga, I ain't no damn groupie." Dalvin moved his head back.

"You look like one." Clarence said to Dalvin. He's one of our cousins.

The basement is pretty full. We have a lot of family members here. Some family from Virginia are here as well as the ones who now reside here in North Carolina. Some of them are staying at my house and some are staying with our parents. I'd much rather have my brothers stay with me so I could have an excuse that I don't have room.

"You look like a pimp named Slickback with that perm in yo head." Dalvin pointed and started laughing.

"I think his hair is dope." De said to Dalvin.

"Right, you jealous as hell if me and my hair. This a new decade and you should try one. Another thing, this ain't no damn perm it's a straightener." Clarence attempted to correct Dalvin.

"Nigga, what? It's the same damn thing Eazy E use before he put those damn old lady curling rods in his head which you also use. Bitch made ass." Dalvin said giving him a funny look.

I was laughing hard at this point. "He got you and I got Dalvin." I laughed harder as the rest of my balls went in the different pocket. "Give me my money!" I snatched it off the table.

Dalvin kissed his teeth. "Man... You cheated!"

"Dalvin, I watched him. He won fair and square. Admit that you suck." Moses spoke up.

"Mo right. Dalvin you ass at this game." De said shaking his head.

"Why everybody ganging up on me? I'm just an innocent bystander." Dalvin said sounding like a child.

"Ahh man, don't give us that!" Wesley shook his head.

"Get yo ass outta here with that!" De waved his hand at him.

"Y'all been doing this since I was a kid. Always ganging up on Dalvin. That's not right." Dalvin told us.

"You? It was me. Y'all always had something to say about my eyes and then my glasses." I pointed out.

"That's because you was a googly eyed motha'fucka." King said laughing.

"Still kinda is..." Isaac said looking from the corner of his eyes.

"Fuck you and yo receding hairline. You too young to have a hairline like that!" I told him.

"Let that shit go!" De told Isaac.

"Let it go? It already let his ass go. His hairline a lost cause. His scalp is Mufasa and his hairline is Scar." Dalvin said laughing.

"Whatever. I tell you what De, I cut my hair when you get some finger braces! How 'bout that?" Issac told him.

"Oooohhhh!" Everybody said in sync.

"I bet yo bitch like em though." De said laughing. "I ain't worried 'bout this guy. He got more face to wash everyday. Why don't you take off that headband Lebron?"

I lost my breath laughing and so did everybody else. Clarence laugh ain't make it better. He sound like Eddie Murphy when he laughs. "He tryna wait until his hairline turn into a shag and even then he still gon' be holding on." I said out loud.

"This Christmas ask Santa for a better hairline!" Dalvin said laughing. Me and my brothers talk about each other but we come together when somebody else talk about us.

"Donald because that's yo name should get in touch with Geppetto for Christmas. He made Pinocchio into a real boy and maybe he can do the same for you E.T." Earl said laughing. Earl and Isaac are brothers.

"That E.T shit is old now and overused on me. Shit don't bother me nigga." De waved him off. "I'm next nigga." He said taking the balls out the pockets and placing them in the rack.

"You bout to get yo ass whooped!" Dalvin said to De.

"That right. Derek is the Champ!" I said holding up my hands like Tyson.

"That's right, the champ! Drink this champ!" Dalvin yelled out then hit my chest as a pep.

Dalvin put a straw in my beer and held it near my lips. I drank it and beat on my chest jumping up and down. I started punching the air getting ready while making fighting noises. While I was doing thay De came my way and did a whole 360 spin and slapped me.

"Nigga, I said how much?" He said turning back around. I shook my head trying to rid the feeling of the slap.

"Di-did you just slap the champ?" Dalvin asked De.

"Yeah, I did it. Y'all niggas doing the most. Let's bet, how much?" De said chuckling.

"You want me to get him champ?" Dalvin asked looking at me.

"I got him. He about to get his ass handed to him." I told Dalvin holding his collar from the back.

"Nah, let me at him! LET ME AT HIM CHAMP!" Dalvin yelled out fighting against me.

I let go of his collar. "Get him!" I yelled out amd Dalvin took off towards De.

"You bite me, I'm calling animal control!" De told him with a straight face.

Dalvin stopped and purred like a cat. "You supposed to be a dog not cat!" I told him. "How you go from barking to purring?"

"Oh, yeah..." Dalvin said and started whining like a dog.

"Good doggy! Would you like a Scooby snack?" De exclaimed.

"Fuck you Shaggy." Dalvin said to De.

"A stoner and his dog." Moses shook his head.

De turned around to him slowly. "Fuck you call me? You just call me a crackhead?" Okay, now this is serious... I know from the tone of De's voice.

"Nahh man, he said stoner. Clean out yo ears." I said lightening up the mood but also telling the truth.

"Where you get crackhead from?" DeAndre asked.

"Right, you buggin'." Dalvin said looking at him from the corner of his eyes. "You good?"

"Yeah, I'm just tired of hearing that bullshit name." De said to us.

"Who called you that?" DeAndre asked.

"Nigga everybody. I'm pretty sure y'all heard." De said to us. There were a different no's being said from each individual. "Them magazines be spreadin' all these damn rumors about me- US". He said referring to JoDeCi.

"You know we don't pay that shit no mind after all that other shit went down." Clarence told him.

"Right." Dalvin patted his back.

"You first. We bettin' $200." I told him while frowning.

De removed the rack. "My bad cuz."

"You cool. Don't even worry about it." Moses said to him.

"You might as well put yo house on the market because you finna lose!" Dalvin said changing the subject.

"I been looking for a new pair of shoes. Might as well take them off too." I said eyeing his shoes.

"You rant De shoes?" Dalvin said looking disgusted. "When it come to shoes he ain't got no taste." Dalvin shook his head.

"On second thought, Dalvin's right because those shoes ugly as shit." I shook my head laughing.

De hit the white ball. "This ain't Sundays best. I ain't tryna look my best. I just threw on some stuff. Y'all everyday people. Best believe when I'm in public I be looking fly." De said to us.

"You be A'IGHT." I corrected him.

"That ain't what the ladies say. I can wear these shoes and STILL get some pull." He chuckled.

"How you first and you still miss the ball?" I said shaking my head.

"The same way you miss the inside of the toilet. Pissin' everywhere." De laughed.

"I was a kid." I frowned at him hitting the ball.

"Nigga you was nineteen because I remember having to take a shit after you came out the bathroom and I sat in it." Dalvin told me.

"A kid." I said again.

"A kid? Nineteen is grown." DeAndre said to me.

"Boys mature when they 21 and you not grown until you on your own. I was neither." I told them.

"Excuses, excuses. Don't nobody wanna hear that bullshit." De said looking down at the pool table.

"Right, pissy potty ass nigga." Dalvin said laughing.

"We'll see who's pissy after I beat them." I said to De.

"It'll still be you." De shrugged.

De ended up losing and I won of course. More money in my pockets. I should've betted more money but they my brothers. Many would think Dalvin and De are good at everything they do because they talk a good game but HELL NO!

"The food is DONE!" My uncle yelled down the stairs.

We all looked at each other then ran upstairs trying to get what we want before it's all gone. Food goes quick in this family. Most times people have leftovers but we don't. There was pushing and all trying to make it up the stairs.

Author's Note: I know, I've been gone a while now. Anyways, y'all finally got point of view from Derek. Y'all liked it? The last chapter was A LOT and I wanted to ease up on this chapter.

Word Count: 5,200

Please feel free to like and comment. Feedback gives motivation, and motivation urges me to continue to write.

Thank you all for taking the time out of your day to read another chapter of this story. Thank you for staying despite the slacking.💚🖤❤💜💙💛