' 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗠𝗘 𝗦𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗡 ' › D. SWING

07.

I didn't go to New York with the guys since I wasn't quite as bold as them to just up and leave home, but I did keep in contact with them and helped them graduate early from the school they were attending. Over the course of two and a half years, they had a record deal with Uptown and was working with artists such as Father MC, Al B. Sure!, and Ralph Tresvant. Not to mention, Donald was helping with beat production for In Living Color's Fly Girls. There were a lot of great things happening for them and I was excited and extremely proud. Since Donald and Dalvin had left, their father depended on me for majority of the music. Meaning I had to play the drums some days, piano on others. He even wanted me to write a few original songs for the choir, which used to be Donald's thing. I could tell he missed his son but of course he wasn't going to admit it and I wasn't going to force it out of him.

Today was Donald's birthday so Dalvin and the guys were flying me out to surprise him. Apparently he had been 'bringing me up a lot' and telling Dalvin how much he wished I was around to help with their album. I had my suitcase packed and was all set for my week worth of a vacation, carrying it downstairs and setting it down by the door. I waited for my mom to grab her keys before unlocking the front door and heading outside to the car. Once I had put my suitcase in the trunk, we headed toward the airport so I could catch my flight. It was first time on a plane and quite frankly, I was a little nervous, absentmindedly chewing on my nails as we pulled up to the main entrance and she parked, turning in her seat to look at me, "Alright, sweetie. Be good and remember, no drugs, alcohol, or sex. I know you have a crush on Donald but you better not open your legs to that wild lil' boy. I heard he likes to—"

"Mom!", I interrupted, feeling awkward as my eyes grew wide.

She got off of the subject and gave me a warm smile, leaning over to plant a soft kiss on my forehead, "I love you. Now go before you be late."

I nodded and told her I loved her too as I climbed out of the passenger seat and retrieved my suitcase from the trunk, heading inside and following the signs hanging from the ceiling to find the correct gate. "G....", I read aloud as I searched for H. Finally, I spotted it and saw people beginning to pass off their tickets to the staff as they walked into what looked to be a large tunnel which lead to the plane. Jogging to the gate, I handed over my ticket and walked down the long tunnel before boarding the plane after giving the staff my luggage. I founded a seat by the window and waited for takeoff, eager to see the guys and get a tour of the city.

An hour and 49 minutes later, the plane had landed and I got up from my seat, following the other passengers to the exit and heading into the airport to pick up my stuff at the Baggage Claim area. Pulling my suitcase behind me, I glanced around the lobby to see if I could spot a familiar face but I didn't see anybody I recognized. Where are you? After looking for about ten minutes, I gave up and decided to take a seat on a bench near the doorway, my suitcase between my knees and my back against the wall.

"I don't know. He got about five girlfriends now since we've moved out here, so I highly doubt that's considered being faithful", Dalvin said, walking into the lobby with shades on, JoJo and K-Ci following behind.

"He needs to calm his ass down before he catch something", JoJo added.

K-Ci sucked his teeth, looking at them both with irritation, "Ya'll sound like two niggas that ain't gettin' no play."

I giggled to myself as I stood up from the bench, grabbing onto the handle of my suitcase while I walked over to them, "Wow. It's Bell Biv Devoe. Can you sign my boobs?"

They all turned their head in my direction, immediately bursting into laughter as they smiled and walked over to me, all taking turns to embrace me with a hug.