Old Friends (Janet and Toni Fanfic)

Chapter One

Janet

Finally, the last show until my much-needed break in L.A. I was tired as hell, but I knew this show would have a lot of energy; a lot of my celebrity friends who were in the Hollywood area told me they were coming out tonight to see me. 

"Are you ready to slay the day, honey?" Gil, my creative director and best friend popped his head in my dressing room as Preston finished up my makeup. I looked in the mirror to check myself over. Not to toot my own horn, but beep beep. I looked good. He really beat my face for the gods tonight. I just wish Wissam was here to see me... I knew he'd go absolutely bananas if he knew how I looked tonight.

"Hell yeah." 

"Then let's go pray with the kids and we'll be right on schedule." He turned to leave and I followed close behind him, fixing my headset in my ear. "Thanks, Pres," I called back. He did a little wave and wished me good luck.

All of my dancers were dressed, circled up and holding hands, waiting for me. We prayed, did our little hand shake and took our spots behind the curtain. I had a good feeling about this one.

Toni

As a staff member led me all the way to my VIP seats in the front row, I couldn't help but smile. I was coming to surprise Janet tonight at her last Los Angeles show, and I was so excited I could scream. I was seated close to all my friends, from Mariah to Usher, and I was just ready to have a good time. It had been YEARS since Janet and I have even talked on the phone and I really missed her; she was one of my best friends. I needed her company back in my life. 

I'd made it just in time as the announcer said her name and the music blared. Her tours were legendary, and the last time I'd even seen her perform was in the late 90's. I knew she still had it. When she came up from under the stage on a raised platform, hand placed confidently on her hip, my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe it was her. Her usually golden brown shoulder-length locks were now an edgy, jet-black cut that was boy-short and free. Her once slim, muscular physique was replaced with voluptuous curves packed tightly inside a tight, vinyl catsuit that threatened to let her D-cup breasts let loose. Needless to say, she looked sexy beyond words. 10 minutes into the show and she was already glistening with sweat that gave her a heavenly glow as she danced around the stage and entertained every single person in the room. 

   Before I could even realize that I was gazing, Babyface nudged me with his elbow. I'd forgotten I'd even come with him. "Why aren't you dancing and cheering? You look like you've seen a ghost," he said into my ear with a hand on the small of my back. 

"I-I'm fine," I responded, still not daring to take my eyes off of her. I started to feel something in the pit of my stomach as she finally caught my eye and realized who I was. Her smile brightened and I turned red as she pointed to me, singing, "Friends come and friends, they go, my friends are real, I know." She winked and danced her way to the other side of the stage. 

   Was I blushing? She was my best friend, and she was making me blush like this? This didn't feel right. I shook my head and tried to take my mind off of my racing heart. I just wanted to talk to her again. As much as liked to watch her swing her hips and shake her ass the way she-What? I didn't just think that. I'll be happy when I can talk to her after the show, and maybe all this--whatever it was--would be put to rest once we caught up.

Janet 

I'm in the middle of singing Alright, when a woman who looks painfully familiar catches my eye right in the front row. Is that Toni? TONI BRAXTON?! My ride or die friend who got me into so much trouble back in the day; it was like we totally lost touch at the turn of the century. I wanted to stand there and stare at her for a while longer, but the choreography wouldn't allow me to. She looked beautiful and she'd barely aged since I last saw her in 98, I think. Through the entire show, I couldn't stop thinking about her, and I almost missed a couple of cues to pay for it. I wanted to hug her and talk to her. Maybe I could get someone to invite her backstage...