Treading The Waters [on hold]

Chapter Nine

I'm not sure that I'm ready to face everyone. Not only do I have to worry about the tension and awkwardness surrounding Jensen, but I also have to worry about the 20 questions game with everyone else.

What have you been doing? What's L.A. like? How does it feel to be famous? I'm not by the way. Have you met this celebrity? How successful have you been?

And then we have the doozy of them all. Why are you back here?

I don't want to tell everyone that I've been so sad about my life that my work suffered, and I was forced to take a leave of absence or get fired. No, that would be embarrassing, and it would make others think I couldn't cut it out there. Especially the people I left to pursue it.

My stomach is the equivalent of what it feels like to take too many spins in the washing machine. Nerves to face Jensen, the people I left, to feel like I'm under the magnifying glass because I'm one of the few people who actually left this town. Nerves all together. I haven't seen this many people since I've moved back and once I go there today, everyone will know I'm home now. No more hiding.

Am I ready for that? Am I ready to face the music? I guess there's no use in hiding now, especially since I'll be a part of Lorraine's upcoming wedding.

After my little pep talk to myself, I'm feeling a bit better. I'm not even quite sure what to wear. It's a weird time of the year for North Carolina since it's May because it's bordering the summer and spring, so she can't make up her mind whether she wants to be cold, hot, or comfortable.

After sifting through my closet and trying to find something that can balance the change in temperature, I choose to wear a pair of jeans, my Sperry's, and a cute, white flowy top that hangs off the shoulders and has a slit down the middle of the back. It's cute, it's simple, and fitting for a cookout.

During the time it takes me to get ready, apply makeup and straighten my hair, the nerves are back in full force. I know that I'm not gonna get anywhere by hiding out and staying away from things that make me uncomfortable. That's not going to help me better my music or better myself.

I just need to grab my nerves and fears by the balls and send them packing to somewhere they won't come back from.

I finally gather the strength to leave my house and head over to Jensen's, but the sound of my phone ringing stops me in my tracks. I would ignore it if it weren't the ringtone for my boss.

"Hello."

"Baya. Kid. How's it going?"

"Uh, it's going good. I'm just about to head to a party." I'm not trying to rush him off the phone, but man does Brant have crappy timing.

"I am so glad that you're getting out and doing things, Baya. It's exactly what I asked you to do." His tone mirrors that of a fake happy tone, and I get the feeling that he's not calling me with good news. "I'm calling you to talk about the song you sent in yesterday."