Darkness and Light

One.

March 3rd, 1986.

Peering up at the sign that stretched across the front of the venue, Mya Johnson felt her breath catch at the thought of where she was and what she was doing. First Avenue. A club that she had never step foot in, but heard so much about. A small smile made its way onto her lips as her head ached, the swelling of her right eye was covered with two containers of concealer, and the bruises on the rest of her body were hidden by the clothes she was wearing. She was desperate. Desperate for an escape. Desperate to forget the pain that shot through her body every time she took a step. Desperate to be someone else, just for one night.

Mya ignored the throbbing sensation in her head and straightened her posture to look more presentable before her eyes saw the event already taking place inside. Prince and The Revolution present: The Parade Tour. The music was so loud that she could feel the vibrations in her chest and a faint smile curved her lips for the first time in awhile. "Ticket?" The bouncer asked loudly, catching Mya by surprise as he held out his hand and waited. "Hello? I know you heard me," He was becoming impatient, as were the people behind her who were waiting to get in. The huffs started, the mumbling, the glares and Mya sighed before she counted to three and took a run for it, hoping the man wouldn't catch her as she walked through the doors and stopped, admiring the scene in front of her.

The crowd was going wild for a figure in black heeled boots, a black crop top and pants with three buttons that matched. He wore sunglasses that hid his face and Mya felt her heartbeat quicken as she stared at him prance around the stage with such confidence, self-assurance. The shyness she possessed slowly slipped away as she walked into the sea of people enjoying their time. She became a different person and before she knew it, she was mirroring everyone else in the crowd and mouthing the words to a song she recognized almost instantly with excitement coursing through her veins. "You don't have to beautiful, to turn me on.." Prince sang with a smirk on his face. Tonight was the opening night of the Parade Tour and the show was going perfectly as far as he was concerned. The crowd was energetic and engaged and that in turn, made Prince more lively than he was before he got on the stage.

—

Throughout the next thirty minutes, Mya didn't feel the after effects of the beating she received before she came, she didn't feel afraid. She felt liberated, she felt happy, she felt like every other person in the audience, she felt free. Her mouth moved to sing the song that everyone knew and she willed herself not to cry, not to reveal the dark secret she was trying so hard to hide as she danced with people sandwiched on either side of her. She needed this. Her soul needed it. "First Avenue," The gentleness of his voice calmed her nerves that had started to bubble once she realized the concert was over. "You were incredible, thank you so much. Goodnight!" Watching his body disappear, Mya felt herself start to panic when people bumped into her as they walked towards the exit, some glared and scrunched their noses when they saw her outfit, some laughed.

Biting her lip, Mya walked towards the darkened part of the space and smiled softly as she recognized the slim figure a few feet away. He stood tall thanks to his heels and she smirked when she came face to face with his back. Before she could retain what she was doing, she opened her mouth and spoke in a much louder tone than she was used to. "I'm digging those heels," She was somebody else when she said those words, and she loved it as everyone turned around except the man himself.

"Back up, please. Let the man rest. No photos or autographs tonight," Mya nodded in understanding, doing what she was told as her heart raced and she looked down out of habit. When Prince partially turned around to face whoever spoke to him, his eyes widened behind the black sunglasses he was wearing. He was captivated by Mya's eyes, which were a mixture of blue and hazel as she met his gaze with an excited yet nervous expression.