Real Friends

 

11:09p.m Friday. Brooklyn, New York.

           

            For once in Que’s life he felt like the stars were finally aligning. His money was nice, his b*****s weren’t tripping, his skin was clear, and his music was starting to create a buzz in the east coast. That’s every n***a’s dream right?

           

            It was the first Friday in January. Cold as f**k. The streets were busy with coke dealers and prostitutes more excessively today compared to any other because it was payday. Que was just getting to the studio. He was a known rapper in the city. Very popular n***a. He was one of those stand up guys that got shown love by everyone from the candy lady to the king pins. His music had been compared to some of the most lyrical artists in hip hop. He had a huge following, but he felt like he didn’t have the resources he needed to reach his full potential as an artist. This was the moment he was praying for. Tomorrow night was the finale of the Def Jam Hip Hop showcase. Que was a finalist, and he outperformed over 50 artists from around the world. Tomorrow night a winner would be chosen and everyone was in Que’s corner.

           

            Que lit a blunt to calm his nerves as his music played in the background. He reflected on everything that happened in his life up until this point. From being homeless to losing his son in a car accident, he couldn’t help but be thankful. Que begin to shed tears because he knew his life was about to change forever. He stayed in the studio most of the night.

 

            The next day Que woke up around noon. He was extremely relaxed. He went to the fridge, grabbed a cup of ice and poured himself some Louis XIII *(in case you aren’t up to part, Louis XIII is a cognac, also mentioned in Rihanna’s “ B***h Better Have My Money”). He watched a few episodes of “Martin” and after went to his closet to pick out his attire. “ I gotta be fly as s**t tonight” Que thought. He chose a royal purple Supreme hoodie, a black ,leather biker jacket, black Topman jeans, and black timbs. As Que went over to his dresser to grab his rose gold Jesus pieces, his phone rang. It was Mac, one of Que’s homeboys. They were so close Que considered Mac family. “What up money”, Que answered. Mac answered the phone enthusiastic as hell. “ Tonight’s the night my g, you nervous?” “Nah, I’m chilling, God got me” Que replied as he hooked his second chain around his neck. “Me and Kobe gon swing through so we can f**k with you before the show.” “ Ok that’s cool. Let me know when yall pull up” Que said. Que hadn’t seen Kobe and Mac in a few weeks. Que, Mac and Kobe were like the migos. They had known each other since middle school. Lately they claimed that had been too busy to kick it with Que and they missed his last couple shows, so he was excited to see his boys.

            Mac and Kobe pulled up about 20 minutes late with Hennessey and a few blunts. Que had to be at the club in about an hour so they kicked it and talked to past time. “Ima run to the bathroom real quick then we can leave.” “Aight bro” Kobe said. As Que left the bathroom, he stopped to take a last look at himself in the mirror. He said a quick prayer and took a deep breath. As he walked back towards the living room he noticed he didn’t hear Mac and Kobe talking anymore. “ Why yall so quiet?” Que asked as he entered the room. When Que got into the room he saw Mac standing there with a gun pointing towards him and Kobe beside him with a look of hatred in his eyes he had never seen before. The room was silent. A tear rolled down Que’s face as Mac pulled the trigger.  Mac and Kobe never showed up to the showcase that night neither did Que. 

 

 

 

Author’s note

 

            When you have the gift of making people pay attention to you through raw talent, you’re your worst critic; be mindful of who’s in your corner. Never apologize for having a gift that God’s blessed you with because even though you may not see it everyone else does, including your enemies. Most of the time your “friends” and the people that watch you the most develop jealousy if they lack a pure heart and eventually hate forms. They begin to envy you so deep to a point that they want to be you and usually there are signs. Pay attention and don’t ignore any bad vibes and if they just so happen to hurt you consciously always remember, “ Hurt people hurt people”. It’s not you, it’s them. F**k n****s never prosper.

 

- RB