The Art of Falling | Szn 1, Episode Seven

Faded Pictures | Shameek

“Why are you always determined to do things the hard way?”

“Don’t you have anything better to do than call and harass me? I know you have a hoe or two in the cut to entertain.”

“I am a changed man. I don’t have a hoe to my name,” Hendic announced, pulling a hearty laugh from Shameek. “Fuck you.”

“Boy,” Shameek gripped his stomach as his rideshare approached a car dealership. “I ain’t laughed like that in a minute. I appreciate you, bruh.”

“Whatever. Just let me know how everything goes or if you need anything from Pop or me. Although I don’t know why you didn’t just take the car he offered you.”

“For the last time, Dric. I got myself in this mess, and I’ma get myself out of it. You looked out by handing shit with my apartment so my credit wouldn’t be fucked up, and I appreciate that. But the rest of this is on me, and I’ma handle it. Plus, your Pops hooked me up with a salesman, so am I really doing things the hard way?”

“By paying for something you could have gotten for free? Hell yes.”

“Exactly. I’m paying for it, so mind your damn business.”

“Whatever. You better than me. ‘Cause if someone offers me a free car, you damn well better believe I’m taking it.”

“Goodbye, Hendic. I have shit to do. I need to get this out of the way and link with that producer. Gab will kill me if I’m late.”

“Speaking of, how is she?”

Shameek’s eyebrows dipped. “Since when do you worry about Gabriella?”

“Just answer the question, motherfucka.”

“She’s straight. About her business as usual and constantly on my back now that I’m close enough for her to harass me.”

“Remember moving out of the city was your bright ass idea.”

“Facts. And I need that. With everything up in the air, Gabby keeps me motivated and on my shit.”

“And what the fuck do I do?”

“Lead me down paths of destruction,” Shameek joked as he finally arrived at his destination. “I’m here, though; I’ll hit you up later.”

“Bet. Like I said, let me know if you need anything.”

“Got you.”

Exiting the vehicle, Shameek strolled into the dealership, already knowing exactly who and what he was looking for, thanks to Hendric’s father. He may have been proud and stubborn, but he wasn’t stupid. Shameek knew he wasn’t getting a brand new car at that, without having a leg up. A few hours and a minute hiccup later, he was driving out of the parking lot with his newest bill and on his way to the studio with the man he hoped could help get his music dreams back on track.

After pushing through the doors, he stopped at the receptionist’s desk.

“How you doing? I’m Shameek. I have a meeting with Phoenix.”

Annoyance covered her face as she raised her eyes but quickly faded when they landed on his face. “Hi,” she twirled a lock of hair around her finger, leaning forward. “I’m Chelcy.”

Unimpressed, he quickly shut her down. “And I’m here for business. So, can you let him know I’m here?”

Seemingly offended, she rolled her eyes and pressed a button on her phone. “P, your potential client is here.”

Shameek almost laughed at the venom in her words but paid her no mind. He was there for one reason and one reason only.

Moments later, the man Shameek assumed was Phoenix turned the corner with a stunning russet-skinned woman talking a mile a minute behind him. “I’m just saying this could be a great opportunity for you.”

“No, they’re probably a problem client for Ra, and now you’re trying to pass them on to me. You’re not slick, Bre.”

The woman gasped while bringing a hand to her chest. “Would I do something like that? Me?”

“Yes, yes you would,” the man laughed before turning to Shameek and extending his hand. “What’s up, bruh. You must be Shameek.”

“Phoenix?”

“The very one,” he confirmed as they shook heads.

“And I’m Brelynn,” the woman announced, claiming their attention. “My brother is also a producer, just in case things don’t work out here at PAin’tShitRecords.”

“Bye, Bre,” Phoenix chuckled, mushing her. “Go away.”

“I’m joking, I’m joking,” she grinned. “But it is nice to meet you. I’ll let you boys handle your business.”

“It’s nice meeting you too,” Shameek chuckled as she pranced away. “She is a handful.”

“You have no idea,” Phoenix laughed. “But you can follow me to the back so we can chop it up to see if we’re a good fit.”

Shameek’s phone vibrated as he started forward, flashing a number he wasn’t familiar with. He ignored the call, only for another to come through with the same number.

“Can you give me a second?” he said to Phoenix. “I’ll be right back.”

“Handle your business. I’ll be in room two.”

“Bet,” Shameek nodded, stepping outside to answer.

“Hello?”

“Meek?” the woman on the other end replied, seemingly in disbelief.

He froze, his mind unable to comprehend what was happening.

“I—you…”

His hands shook as it settled in who he was speaking to.

 “I heard you were home, but I didn’t believe it. When? How?”

“This has to be a fucking joke,” he chuckled, trying to control his anger.

“I know you’re probably upset with me, but—”

“I don’t know what the fuck you think this is, Amber, but you obviously need to hear the words, so let me deliver them loud and clear. Don’t ever call my fucking phone again. I’m cool on you.”

“Baby. I promise I can explain if you give me the chance.”

Shameek’s frustrated laugh reverberated around the room. “Miss me with that baby shit. And save your time and breath. I don’t want or need an explanation from you.

“Meek…”

“I hope you enjoyed it because this is the last conversation we will ever have. I’m cool on you.”

“Wait!” she cried, but whatever she wanted to say, Shameek didn’t want to hear.

Hanging up the phone, he swiftly placed her on the blocked caller list and inhaled deeply, hating that he hadn’t ignored the call as he wanted to. Putting his feelings aside, he headed back inside the studio to wrap up his meeting with Phoenix and get his life back on track.

***

With nothing left on his agenda for the day, he headed back to his apartment. Upon stepping off the elevator, he noticed a plastic container with a note on top outside of his door. Raising an eyebrow, he approached carefully and bent to remove the note first.

Sorry for keeping you up last night.

xo, Kiy

His mouth curved into a grin as he grabbed the plastic container and peeled back the top, his mouth nearly watering upon glimpsing the apple crumb cake inside. Closing it back, he stood and stepped to her apartment door, knocking heavily.

“Why are you always banging on my door like you’re the police?” she demanded, yanking open the door.

Ignoring her question, he lifted the container. “I’ll think about forgiving you for keeping me up all night if you split this with me.”

“I have my own, thank you,” she tittered. “You keep that. It’s for you.”

“Appreciate it, shorty,” he extended his hand. “Why don’t we try this introduction thing again? I’m Shameek.”

She appeared unsure initially but hesitantly obliged after a few seconds of deliberation.

“I’m Kiy. Well, Kiyanne. And you can thank my mama for the cake. I told her I had a new neighbor, and according to her, the proper way to welcome you to the building is with food.”

“Tell your mom I said I appreciate it,” he replied, tracing the back of her hand with his thumb.

“Uh,” she chuckled, pressing her index and thumb against her lips and nose in the shape of a C. “Is there a reason you’re still holding onto my hand?”

Shameek smirked. “Maybe I like the way it feels.”

Pulling away, Kiyanne playfully rolled her eyes. “You’re so corny for that. And I need to get back to what I was doing, so enjoy your cake, Shameek.”

“Meek,” he corrected her. “And I will. I’ll see you around, Kiyanne.”

“Kiy,” she smiled. “And we’ll see.”

And with that, she closed the door, leaving Shameek on the other side, grinning as though he’d won the lottery.