Bianca Taylor woke up from a nightmare. She got out of bed and walked into her living room where she found her roommate and bestfriend Tonly Lucca, sitting by the window strumming his guitar.
"I'm having the dreams again." Bianca said, her voice cracking.
"C'mere," Tony replied. She walked towards him and he embraced her while leading her to the couch. "It's alright B, its over now...he's gone. He'll never hurt you again."
They sat together, Bianca sobbing on Tony's shoulder while he rubbed her back trying to calm her. 'That bastard.' Tony thought. 'it's been almost 2 years and he's still affection her' He hummed softly into her ear until she finally fell asleep in his arms.
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JC Chasez entered the tiny bar. He had left his penthouse in a rage and really didn't know how he ended up where he was. He recalled the situation that set him off.
"The fans want a solo album JC," said his manager Johnny Wright. "Jive wants to see one too."
"When we as a group decided to take a year off I thought we would actually take a year off." JC retorted into the phone.
"I know Jace...but do you know what a solo project can do for your career?"
"Johnny, when was the last time I wrote a song? I've been in a slump ever since the tour ended. I'm not inspired to write right now."
"Then relax, soak up what NYC has to offer, check out a club. Whatever it takes." and with that Johnny hung up the phone.
"What the fuck?" JC yelled. "I'm being forced to write now?"
JC Grabbed his keys, a hat and some shades and left his penthouse.
Meanwhile, Bianca looked at her watch. 3hours until her shift was over. She worked as a waitress at 'The Blue Room' in the village. She worked there with her friend Ally Carter and Tony who bartended at night and did construction during the day.
Tonight was the start of open mic weekend. So Tony spent more time singing on stage than serving drinks. He and Bianca wrote songs together. They considered money for copywriting songs just as important as money for rent.
Bianca was a natural beauty, even though she ididn't think very much of that. She was African American with black curly hair and hazel eyes that went well with her caramel complexion. She was about 5'4" and curvy. Men who came to the bar always hit on her but she would just smile and reply "I already have a man in my life' technically it was true. She wasn't with Tony, everybody knew that, they would share an occasional kiss but it never went further than that. Not many people knew who her mystery man was.
JC found a table in the corner of the bar; he didn't want to be spotted. He wanted to be oblivious for a while.
Ally approached his table. "Can I get you something?"
"Umm a rum and coke." he replied.
She took down his order and walked towards the bar. She stood by Bianca and got Tony's attention.
"You Tony I need a rum and coke. Hey b, working hard or hardly working?'
Bianca chuckled. "I'm on break right now. Plus I gotta play cheerleader when Tony goes on stage."
Tony handed Ally the drink. "Yeah Al so when is Nick gonna sing on stage?"
"Nick's performances don't go past the shower, you know that...but maybe we could get him drunk and.."
Bianca cut her off. "Ally, don't keep your customers waiting."
Ally laughed "My bad, lemme get this drink over to the cutie in the corner." She headed over to his table. "Here's your rum and coke, that will be 5 bucks."
JC fumbled through his wallet and handed her a $20. "Keep the change"
"Thanks. So you new in town? You don't sound like a New Yorker."
"I've been here on business. But I just got an apartment here."
"Interestiong." Ally replied. "Anyway I gotta get back to my other tables. If you need anything I'll be back."
JC took a sip of the drink while and watched the tiny stage. A skinny man with a goatee' stepped up to the microphone. "Hello hello everyone, my name is Alex McLean and welcome to open mic weekend at The Blue Room. If you think you have what it takes to grace this stage c'mon up.
The night went on and people did come up on stage. Some sang, some read poetry. Some were good and some were far from it. Regardless JC loved it; he just sat back and took it all in. to him it felt amazing to go unnoticed, he almost felt like 'Josh' again.
