sound of your heart

2

Ayyyy, Jigga's in the house. Ty Ty smiled and hugged me tightly as I walked in the studio. I patted my boy's back before greeting everyone else in the room. One of my other boys, Kendrick, and one of Ty's friends, Dre. 

How you been, Shawn? Kendrick asked after I dapped him. I grabbed a bottle of water from the mini fridge before turning back to Kendrick. 

"I've been good man, trying to make this money and take care of myself." I smiled while opening my water. I brought it up to my lips and took a few big ass gulps, I don't know why but I was thirsty as s**t. 

Man, I feel you. Kendrick nodded. He saw me drinking water and grabbed the bottle of D'ussé, offering it to me. I declined by waving my hand. 

"You know I don't drink man." 

Oh that's right, my bad jigga. Kendrick shrugged and set the bottle aside for himself. I chuckled and turned to look at Dre, who was staring at me. I don't know what this nigga's problem was, but he was always looking at me like I killed his dog or something. I didn't even know him like that. 

How come you don't drink bro? Dre asked. I tossed the empty water bottle in the trash and took a seat on the couch. I didn't like telling people my business, so I kept it brief.

"There's no need." I shrugged. 

Dre chuckled and glanced at Kendrick. Does liquor effect this nigga's hearing or something? He's deaf and a p***y? s**t. I watched him say before laughing. I think his stupid ass forgot I'm not blind. 

I got up from my seat and walked over to Dre. "I can still read your lips nigga." 

Ty was at my side before I could do anything. He knew how I got when niggas made jokes about my hearing. I didn't find that s**t funny and neither did he. Shawn, calm down man. I felt Ty's arm around my back and relaxed a little. He ain't worth it.

Dre turned his head so I couldn't understand what he was saying and I fumed a little. That s**t pissed me off, especially since I knew he was doing it on purpose. "Man if you got s**t to say, say it to my face. Stop being a pussy." I jerked away from Ty and got in Dre's face. He was always pissing me off for the fun of it, and I was tired of his s**t. 

Man, how you even know I'm saying s**t. You don't know what the f**k I could be saying. Dre said before shoving me. I punched his punk ass in the face before he could turn around again. I looked to my left and saw Ty shaking his head. He was saying something to Kendrick and I shrugged, moving to take a seat in my chair by the soundboard. I glanced at Dre, who was on the floor holding his face in pain. I chuckled to myself. I was unbothered. 

A few seconds later Kendrick was walking Dre out of the studio and I smirked a little to myself, knowing his dumb ass would have a black eye in the morning. He deserved it. I wouldn't have hit him if he didn't. 

Ty sat down in front of me and looked me directly in the eye. Man, you can't keep fighting niggas like that. You're twenty eight years old. A grown ass man, Shawn.

"My age don't have s**t to do with it, Ty. It's the disrespect. You know I don't tolerate disrespect from anyone, let alone that nigga." I told him firmly. I knew my ass was too old to be fighting, but I wouldn't even consider that a fight. Dre didn't get one swing in, s**t. I just needed to knock some sense into his ass. 

I get it man, I do. You know I do. But you gotta chill. 

I nodded. He was right. “I got it, Ty.”

Ty nodded and patted my arm. Aight man. Let's finish up this track so you can get home and get some sleep. You gotta be rested for your date with this fine girl you been telling me about. He smiled. 

I chuckled and nodded my head in agreement. "Let's do it then, man." We both got up and started making magic. 

******

4:12pm 

I was leaning back against one of the streetlights on the NYU campus. I had my hand in my pockets and I was vibing out to some beats I had stuck in my head. I've been working with music so long I've memorized some of the beats I've heard over the years. All I gotta do is recreate it with my hands or the soundboard, feeling the vibrations like I remembered them. I can't tell you how many weird ass looks I've gotten when I tell people I work in music, since "I can't hear and shit." Like yeah nigga I know I'm deaf, but you don't have to hear music, you can feel it. I feel the vibrations against my ears or hands and almost always know what I'm working with. Music goes beyond sound. 

After a few minutes of gazing out at the crowds of people walking by, I spotted Beyoncé walking towards me and smiled. She was wearing some jeans and a tank top, looking as fine as ever. I'm sure she could wear a cardboard box and I'd still be attracted to her. I can't help it. 

Hey Shawn. Beyoncé smiled when she was close enough. I waited for the dimple to pop out, but it never did. She wasn't as happy as she was yesterday. 

"What's wrong?" I asked, reaching down to grab the books from Beyoncé's arms. She gave me another small smile before shaking her head. 

Nothing, I'm okay. I knew she was lying, but I didn't want to push it. I did just meet her yesterday, after all. A nigga had to plan his moves wisely, especially when it came to women. 

"Aight. You hungry?" Beyoncé nodded quickly and I chuckled. "What do you like?" 

Italian, Mexican, soul food. Beyoncé listed off. She went on about something else but she moved her head, so I couldn't understand what she was saying. 

"Bey, I gotta read your lips baby." I reminded her with a smirk. Beyoncé blushed and angled her body more towards me as we walked.

Sorry. She apologized. I waved it off and nodded for her to continue. Um, I said that I could really go for some Mexican food right now. I've been craving enchiladas all day. I mean, if that's okay with you. It's up to you really.

I couldn't help but smile at her. Her lips were moving a little too quick for me to get everything that was coming out, but I understood most of it. Plus she was cute when she rambled. "If Mexican is what you want, we'll get Mexican Bey." 

Okay. Awesome. Beyoncé smiled and her dimple popped out. I felt a little sense of pride for myself, I'd like to think I was partially responsible for it. 

"I take it you know some good Mexican restaurants around here?" I asked her, and she nodded. 

I know one a few blocks away. They have really good enchiladas. 

I laughed. This girl and her damn enchiladas. I think I'm gonna get 'em, just to see if they're worth the way Beyoncé's hyping them up. 

"Lead the way then." 

******

After our waitress took our orders, I focused all my attention on Beyoncé. She was staring back at me with that sweet smile. "So, what are you studying at NYU?" I asked, deciding to make conversation. I figured talking about her major would interest her, and that's what I wanted. I was kinda curious myself too. 

Right now I'm working towards my English Major in education. I want to be a teacher, I love children. Beyoncé told me. By the way her eyes lit up when she spoke about it, I knew she meant every word she said. I had to admire that about her. It's the same passion I had with music. 

"Is that what you always wanted to be?" I asked, cause I didn't know. Her major could've changed. 

Beyoncé shook her head. No, I was originally a pre-med student because my father is a doctor, and he wanted me to follow in his footsteps. I just couldn't bring myself to do it though. I'm fine dealing with blood, I have a strong stomach, but it didn't interest me the way education does. I switched my major during my sophomore year and he was furious. 

"I'm sorry." I said, genuinely feeling bad for her. "How does he feel about it now?" 

Beyoncé shrugged and sighed. Her whole demeanor changed when she talked about her dad. I now know to stay away from that subject, for future reference. I don't know. He doesn't talk about it much, or to me really. I speak to my mother weekly and she keeps him updated. I think he's still disappointed, but I don't regret my decision. 

I nodded cause I wasn't sure what to say. "Is this your last year in college?" I asked, wanting to change the subject. Plus I needed to get a feel of how old Bey was without being blunt. Women didn't like questions like that and I wasn't trying to get smacked. I don't think she would get offended if I asked, but I wasn't risking it. 

Beyoncé perked a little and nodded. Whew. Yes, it is. I'm so excited. I've been working my ass off for so long, I'm just hoping it pays off. 

"Why wouldn't it? We're always gonna need teachers around." I told her. Beyoncé nodded in agreement. 

You're right, I just hope I'm good at what I do, you know? Depending on who I teach, dealing with kids can be tricky. I want to make sure I'm giving them the best education possible while making it interesting. 

"What grade were you hoping to teach?" 

Ninth or tenth. I want kids who are somewhat mature, but aren't too close to graduating. I'll get attached and it'll be harder for me to let go if I'm teaching the older kids. 

I nodded. That made sense, I got where she was coming from. I felt the same way about some of my artists. "I'm sure you'll be a great teacher, Bey. Don't doubt yourself, aight? I have faith in you." 

Beyoncé gave me the smile, dimple and all. Thank you, Shawn. 

Before she could say anything else our waitress came back with our food. I watched Beyoncé's face and chuckled at how excited she got when her enchiladas were set down in front of her. Don't get me wrong, I like a girl who can eat, but Beyoncé was funny as hell for some reason. 

I grabbed my fork and got ready to dig into my own enchiladas. I ordered the exact same thing Beyoncé did.

Let's see if they were worth the hype.