Jimmy's POV
I breeze past the line outside The Shelter, going straight towards the back door.
"Yo, rabbit, wait up!" I turn to see Cheddar hobbling towards me in his crutches, Sol and Iz behind him.
"What's up man?" Sol asks as we slap hands, "What the hell happened to you?"
Cheddar adds, "You straight? Look at your eye."
"Yeah man. I'm fine. Come on." I brush them off.
"Winks sayin' you blew up 'cause Roy Darucher wouldn't pay for your demo." Iz tells me.
Oh is that what he's saying? That little fuckin'-
"Yeah and what's this shit about him and Tessa? Man, is it true? 'Cause Wink said-"
"Fuck what Wink said. A'ight?" I snap.
Things may be good between Tess and I, but they're far from it with Wink. And if he doesn't stop runnin' his mouth, I'll stop it for him.
"Okay, well...we gonna jump those guys again?" Cheddar asks.
"Fuck that." I say calmer. I'm not fighting them with my fists no more. "I'm gonna battle 'em."
All three of their faces show the same thing as they look at me; shock, disbelief, doubt.
"For real?" Iz questions.
"Yeah." I nod.
They're all silent, just looking at me still.
I scoff. I mean I get it. If I was them, I'd doubt me too. But they could at least pretend to believe in me. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
I continue walking towards the door, but when I notice they haven't moved yet I call to them impatiently, "Yo, you guys comin' or what?"
They're gonna want to see this.
Tessa's POV
This isn't my world. I think that right away as I walk through the doors of The Shelter with Gabi and Hanna on either side of me. I mean, I know nothing about rap battles. But if it's Jimmy's world, than it's mine too.
When I saw his bruises and injuries earlier I knew the rumor that Wink, Papa Doc and his crew jumped him was true. And so I lightly suggested, he should come here. I don't think I even had to though. I could see it in his eyes. He was never not going to go.
We make our way through the crowded underground club, focusing on making it to the back. I want a good view of the stage, but away from the rowdiness.
Hanna takes the lead and as I follow them, I bump into someone.
"Sorry, I...Oh...Hi." I say as I stare into the eyes of Future.
"Hey." he says a bit reluctantly. He doesn't look like he wants to talk to me. Ouch.
Gabi whispers to me that they're going to get a spot. I nod at her as she and Hanna walk away, leaving me to talk to Future.
"Uhm...is Jimmy here yet?"
His eyebrows scrunch together in annoyance, "What's it to you?"
I was prepared for this. I knew not only will I be repairing my relationship with Jimmy, but his loyal friends too. But the always friendly Future, treating me not so friendly is tough.
"Future, Jimmy and I-"
"Yo, if you just came here to mess with my boy some more, you gotta go sweetheart. Whenever he decides to show the fuck up, he'll be battling- he doesn't need all this on his mind when he needs to focus."
