Chapter Four

Ola blinked, startled by the sound of the front door as it banged shut.

"He did not just do that…" She trailed off in her thoughts when she noticed the piece of paper and some money on the table. She picked them up and glanced at the paper which had only two words written on it. 

Feed Yourself!

"So that's how it's going to be huh, Michael? Oh well," She said as I pocketed the money. "He'd better not ask for his change." 

#

When Ayo and I pulled up to the venue of the party, we could feel slight vibrations in the car from where we sat.

"Man, that is some wicked bass." Ayo grinned.

"That thing could cause permanent ear damage!”

"Are you kidding me? That right there is the life of the party!" Ayo shouted. "Come on man, I'm all pumped up and ready to go."

I just shook my head in response and got out of the car.

It was normal for Ayo to be so hyper before a performance. I knew he never took any performance-enhancing drugs but his excitement made it seem that way. At the entrance, he knocked twice before the door opened slightly. A chain lock could be seen through the partially open space.

A guy's peered at us questioningly.

"What, is there a secret password now?" I whispered jokingly to Ayo.

Only to look on in disbelief as Ayo flashed something that looked like a bracelet at the guy.

"My friend is with me. It's a special invite." He said.

Shortly after, the guy nodded and shut the door once more. We heard the locks as they were opened. I turned to Ayo and asked.

"Man, what was that about?"

He just shrugged it off.

"Never mind, come on."

The door had opened now and the guy gestured for us to come in. We followed the sound of pulsating music through the hallway and came to a huge room full of people. The DJ played a party club mix that had half of the guests on the dancefloor. My eyes widened slightly at the crazy dance steps being displayed. It was only an hour into the party and it was evident that people had gone wild.

Surely, there must be something in the water.

We made our way over to a private room in the back of the building. The room was dimly lit and a few people lounged around on couches and bean bags as they sipped from cups or played video games.

"You guys made it!" A tall, pretty, girl said as she walked toward us. She was dressed surprisingly casual for a party.

I stood back as Ayo walked up to her and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Yeah, but I've got two more friends coming later." He said to her then turned to me. "Michael, this is Cindy, the party's host and the birthday girl."

She smiled warmly at me and offered her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Michael. I prefer to be called Cee-Cee though."

I shook her outstretched hand and replied.

"The pleasure is mine. Happy birthday by the way."

"Thanks. I was told that you were performing alongside AY here. I bet you've got a great voice." She purred.

Now this information shocked me speechless.

"Anyway, you guys," She continued. "I'm going to go change for the main attraction. You didn't really think that I'd wear this to my own party right?"

She giggled as she walked away.

As soon as she left, it seemed my voice finally decided to make an appearance. I immediately whirled on Ayo.

"What on earth is she talking about? When did we make this agreement?"

He had the nerve to smirk.

"Consider it a little payback for a certain day courtesy of Laura and I."

I could only gape at him. I tried to recall which day this might have been but came up blank.

"Never mind though, I was sure to only pick songs that you were already familiar with." He tried to reassure me. "Besides, it seems that Cee-Cee is really looking forward to seeing you on stage." 

An hour later, I found myself on stage, twirling a pair of drumsticks between my hands while I waited for our cue. I had joined Ayo and some other guys which I had only met an hour ago for a short rehearsal in the building's basement.

I almost couldn't believe that I agreed to this. Not that I was nervous. I had helped Ayo out before with his music in front of small crowds and other gatherings but at least I had been prepared for those. I looked up as he gave the signal. It was our cue to start and also when Cee-Cee would make her grand entrance.

While the song intro kicked up, I relaxed and got into the zone while Ayo hyped up the crowd. Then as the large double doors on a raised platform opened and special effects went up to catch the crowd's attention, Cee-Cee sashayed her way into the room with two toned guys at her side who escorted her.

The band started singing.

"In she walks like a vision ..."

There was a deafening applause when Cee-Cee was fully in sight. Guys in the crowd whistled even as the girls beside them whacked them over the head.

She was dressed in a skintight white and silver dress that sparkled. It stopped a couple inches above her knees and revealed shapely legs encased in ankle boots.