Exotic (A Month Later)

Everything had been going well. I had been going to therapy and I had completed my anger management classes. I felt like a new me. I was happier and things were chill, but I was so used to shit going wrong that I was waiting for some shit to pop off. My Aunt finally met Ja and boy did she put the fear of God in him. I think if it had not been for my aunt I wouldn't be in the place that I'm in now. She made me realize I had so much to live for.

Tonight was going to be epic because Ja's EP had hit the top of the charts as number one in the country and Issa was right behind him in the number two slot. They were going to do it big. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it because I am currently in New York meeting with a team of dancers that will be entering the dance program that I started. I will be critiquing them to see if they are a good fit to join me in a trip to Paris to see the background of ballet.

Sharee and Andie are in the process of opening up another shop in Miami as well as developing their own hair and make-up line. I mean we are all young, fly and successful.

I looked at the time on my phone and knew that I had to get to the dance studio on 34th street because I had a long day ahead of me. I jumped up and made my way down to the lobby of the Ritz Carlton. I walked to the front desk and told the lady that I was ready to head out. She called my driver and within a few minutes I was out the door. I was ushered in the backseat of the car and then we headed to the dance studio.

Once I got there I walked in the main entrance and then went to a room off to the side to change into some baggy sweats and half off the shoulder shirt. I pulled my hair into a messy bun and put my game face on. I had on a pair old J's and I was ready to put these girls to work. I was coming hard and I was coming fierce. I just hope they are ready.

I walked out and was lead to a room where there were about fifteen to twenty girls lined up. I took a minute to look at each and every face. I wanted to see who would crumble and who would be the last one standing. Dancing was hard work and since dance is my passion I'm about to make their asses work hard.

"Okay Ladies! We meet again. Today I'm coming hard so be ready to sweat and to feel a few body aches." I said walking back and forth in front of them.

"Let's begin with a series of stretches so that we can warm up."

I started stretching my legs and back because when dancing a lot of stress is put on these areas. Honestly your whole body is stressed because you are working every muscle. I looked through the glass mirror and I saw the girls stretching just as I was. After about fifteen minutes we wrapped up stretching.

"Today we are going to mix ballet with hip-hop. This can be difficult especially in trying to figure out what moves work best in putting these two together."

"Exotic how do you know what moves will work best?" Marla asked. She was one of the dancers that seemed shy, but could dance her ass off.

I smiled and walked over to the stereo. I looked back and said, "I'm gonna show you how."

I pressed play and scanned the disk until I found Get Low by Flo Rider. As the beat dropped I did a series of plie's (plee-yay). I added pirouette's (peer-whet) to me popping, and dropping. I had to make sure I executed every turn and move percisely or it would look sloppy.

The girls watched in amazement and fascination because it looked easy but it takes much practice and concentration to get this right. Once I had showed them the routine, I looked at them and I could tell that they were nervous as hell.

"Look ladies don't let fear paralyze and trick you into thinking that you can't when you can. It is a mind thing. Y'all have been dancing for a long time and you didn't make it this far because of fear. It was the belief that you could." I said smiling at them warmly.

"Now let's do this!"

Grindin' gets you where you need to be. Grind all day everyday!

********

Later that night I was on a plane back to Atlanta. I wanted to surprise Ja. The location that he was having his celebration had private vip rooms and I had called Andie after practice to get the information that I needed. Nobody knew that I was coming back tonight and I knew it was gonna be a surprise because I was supposed to be in New York another month, but I had to pull some strings to be there for my baby.

I finally touched back down in the A and my car was brought to me from the garage at the airport. My luggage was loaded in the trunk and I got in the car speeding down the highway. About twenty minutes later I was pulling up to my house. I parked and got out. I left the luggage in the car because I had everything that I needed in the house. I was gonna get the luggage in the morning. I opened the door to my house. I went upstairs so that I could take a shower and get ready to head to the spot.

I was finally ready and I looked at my self in the mirror. I loved what I saw and I smiled at my reflection. I had on a cream body con dress with capped sleeves. I had on gold accessories with my red 5' pumps. My hair was straight and parted in the center. I felt and looked like a million bucks. I grabbed my phone and clutch jumping in my ride. I was listening to Future deep in thought. For some reason I had a feeling that something was gonna happen, but I tried to brush that off. I was just so used to shit happening that I thought that something bad was always gonna happen.

I pulled up and it took a minute to find a place to park but I did. I sighed and took a deep refreshing breath as I opened the door.

Time is ticking so I might as well step off in here and make my presence known...

**********

"Are you sure you got the right information?" I asked while smoothing down my tight black dress.

"Look bitch I told yo ass I got it right. You just make sure you make this shit happen because Exotic is gonna pay for all that she put me through."

"How the hell did you even find all this shit out anyway?" I asked narrowing my eyes.

"Lets just say I had to do a lil coaxing to get the information I needed and besides she really didn't have a choice after I found out her dirty lil secret."

"Oh so you were there that day huh?"

"I'm always around, lurking, watchin and waiting."

"Hmm that you are. How is your boo?"

"Things could be better, but hell she been through a lot. You just focus on getting in there doing what you need to do."

I nodded and strutted off ready to make things happen.

********

I could hear the music as I started walking up. I saw a girl with a tight black dress on going inside. That weird feeling came back to the pit of my stomach again. I just hope it was me being anxious or excited.

I made my way inside and I scanned the crowd of people looking for my folks. After a few minutes I saw Sharee and Andie all boo'd up. I walked over to them and stood there clearing my throat. They all turned and looked at me. Sharee and Andie got up hugging me as Issa and Twan smiled.

"So did y'all miss me or what?"

"Bitch hell yeah and Que did too." Andie said.

"Speaking of Que where the hell that nigga at?" Sharee asked.

I smirked because I already knew where he was at. He was in that private VIP room waiting on his special guest. He just didn't know it was me.

"Aye Exotic what you over there smirking for?" Issa asked with a goofy grin on his face.

"Oh nothing, but look Imma get wit y'all later." I said walking off.

Jacquees

I was sittin' in this big VIP room waitin' on my special guest. A nigga was kinda nervous because I couldn't think of who it was. I really wish it was Exotic because we could do some things in this room. I leaned back into the plush leather sofa and turned my hennessy up. Just as I relaxed I heard the door open. I looked up and my eyes got big as hell. I thought I was way too faded and was seeing shit. I rubbed my eyes and focused on the person in the door way.

I felt like Exotic felt that day I brought Giselle to dinner. I felt like I was being punk'd, but I knew that wasn't the case. This shit was real. She was real and she was still beautiful, but on the inside she was fucked up and wasn't shit as far as I was concerned.

Skye what the fuck are you doing here??....

Oh shit bout to get real in the A....

@drameishalewis- This one for you baby girl!