Chapter 8

"Next up on the list to perform is The yellow buzzards give it up for them lady's and gentlemen!" The guy up on the stage called before moving out the way. The crowd around them stood up and began applauding a little to loud for Johnny's taste, especially the bear beside him who was hooting and hollering like his life depended on it. He almost stood up himself to tell him to give it a rest but Calloway as if sensing what he was thinking gave him a look and he sat back on in his seat. He knew he was depressing the group and that he should start having fun and forget about Porcha but he couldn't. He never intended to develop a crush on her.

They were two totally different people, he was a grease monkey, she was a princess/diva from the other side of the tracks. He'd seen how that played out before with his mom and dad. His dad who was working to turn his life around didn't exactly have the greatest of upbringings and had to grow up way to fast according to the storys Johnny heard. His dad was kicked out of his home by his father and mother without warning when he turned 15 and from there had to turn to a life of crime in order to survive. He eventually collected enough money to open up a auto repair shop but still decided to keep robbing on the side.

He was content with the life he'd made for himself and didn't mind being alone. One moment in time changed all that, he set his eyes on Johnny's mom one day when she brought her car in to get fixed, her limo driver having lost his way and knowing they wouldn't make it with the limo's engine acting up the way it was stopped. He didn't think much of it but once she got out of the car and they locked eyes it was all over. He didn't want to get into any of the details but according to his dad they snuck around behind her fathers back would have sooner died then see her marry a grease monkey and ruin all that they worked hard to achieve.

Well one thing led to another and Johnny was born 9 months later. His dad didn't even know that she was pregnant just that after one of their outings she stopped calling him and quit all contact with him now here Johnny was wrapped up inside of a hand basket along with a note that said; Please take care of our son, I'm sorry that you had to find out about him this way. He needs you now more then ever and if you have any ounce of love left in your heart for me please don't come looking for me. Signed: Lilith

His father was heartbroken and was sure as heck not ready to be a father by any means he could barely take care of himself let alone a small 3 day old baby. He was going to leave him at the social services office the next day but realized they would be closed until that Monday. Johnny is not sure what happened between those two days that changed his mind but he ended up keeping him.

"I can't let that happen to me. I just wont do it" he muttered to himself, he looked up and realized he'd been so zoned out he'd missed the first and second song.
He looked over to Gunter who was on his feet and doing some sort of robot dance, if he wasn't so preoccupied with his own thoughts he'd have smiled.
"guys I'm gonna go take a breather" He called out unsure if he heard them or not, sticking his hands in his pockets and slumping his shoulder just slightly he made his way out of the concert and instantly relaxed. He didn't realize how stuffy it was in there until just now.

Fortunately it didn't last long, once he stepped out on the beach he could see the girls just feet away from them. He couldn't understand what was going on but knew for certain that Tia was at the center of it. He watched the drama with them unfold, Tia storming off, Meena having a full on mental breakdown and Porsha comforting her.
He almost broke down and went over to see what had happened but a voice behind him stopped him in his tracks. "Son whatever your planning to do. Don't its not worth it" Calloway warned.

"Yeah but...they..."
"Can take care of themselves. You going over there is only gonna make things worse. Just leave them be, I'll have a talk with Tia before the day is over. I promise you, I will NOT let this go."
Sighing in defeat Johnny nodded "Alright" and followed Calloway back towards the small arena. "Now" He began "You wanna tell me whats really on your mind."

"It's nothing..." Johnny began but calloway simply smiled "Son if you think I believe that nonsense your not as smart as I give you credit for"

"What do you mean?"

"I have eyes" he continued, "I've noticed the way you've been moping around and trying to pretend like everything is ok when in reality its not. I've been where you are son and trust me its going to eat away at you. Little by little. Bit by tiny bit your going to lose yourself to all the misery you have bottled up inside you and your gonna lose all your friends who are going to try to help you at first but are going to realize that unless you help yourself nothing is going to change. Do you understand what I'm getting at?"
Nodding in defeat Johnny who was leaning against a nearby wall replied "Yeah I think so"

"Just something to think about." Giving Johnnys shoulder a gentle squeeze Calloway walked off leaving Johnny to the dozens of thoughts going thru his head at that exact moment. He headed back to his hotel room but for some reason paused near Meena's hotel room. He could hear her and Porcha talking but couldn't realize understand anything because it was so muffled.

He moved away from the door and convinced himself to keep walking. Lord knows what would happen if they came out and saw he had his ear against the door they would think he's a perv. Especially Porsha.

He had his hand on his hotel room doorknob when Meena's door swung up. Porcha came storming out "Well fine!" She all but yelled "I was only trying to help you but if you want me gone then fine consider it done!" slamming it closed she paused for a second when she noticed Johnny staring.

"What are you looking at" She said turning away and wiping something from her face. His heart sunk, she was upset and he hated seeing her this way. "Everything ok?" He asked dumbly.

She perked up and scoffed "No it's not. My life was so much simpler a year ago. Now I got all these feelings that I dont want to have. Friends who despite the best of my intentions to help DONT WANT IT" she shouted that towards the door "But fine. your wish is my command!" She continued "You want me gone, I'm leaving" She stormed off in the other direction and despite everything in him telling him don't he called out "Porsha wait!"

She paused for a minute. "Can I join you, I really need to clear my head"

Porsha shrugged "Do whatever you want" And kept walking, Johnny rushing to join her. This was his chance to get everything all out in the open and knew if he chickened out now the feelings would continue to eat away at him. He had to get this done and over with. Like ripping off a band aid.

"Here goes..." He thought. "Porcha would you...would you like to do a duet with me on our next gig!" He closed his eyes and waited for an answer, his heart beating a mile a minute. When she didn't respond he dared open one eye and looked up at Porcha staring at him with the most confused look on her face. "That's a really nice offer Johnny" She finally said after a minute "But I'm gonna be leaving for Paris by the end of the year."
His heart sunk in his chest. "Yeah. I saved enough money to make the trip down there and have some cousins who are gonna let me stay with them. I just really need to get out of this place and start fresh you know."
Looking down in sheer disappointment he nodded "Yeah, I- I understand."

"You do? Great! Oh your such a good friend" She squealed before going in for a hug, Johnny blushed a bright red. A good friend...that hurt more then any punch ever could. At that moment he wanted to crawl into a hole die. He felt like his life was truly over.

To be continued...

Sorry for making this so depressing, I promise I'm setting the stage for something big thats going to go down really soon.