Toxic

Dave East

                                   Dave and Trell were at the studio.

Dave: Yo Trell, you think I should run this back and redo the hook or just let it rock?  

Trell: Nah, the hook's solid, bro. You just gotta put more emotion into it and we'll have a hit.  

Dave: Bet, say less.  

Dave ran a hand over his fresh fade, stress written all over his face. Pouring real emotion into the track wasn't easy after keeping it bottled up for so long. At just 20, he'd blown up into one of the hottest rappers out. Growing up in a broken home in Atlanta, his dad had gone to the store when Dave was 10 and never came back, leaving his mom to raise him, his brother, and his sister alone. As the oldest, he had to step up, acting like a father to 7-year-old Kasey and 6-year-old Kalani. He'd done his best, but kids will be kids—now Kasey was one of the biggest dealers in town. Kalani, though, was his pride and joy, the one person who could do no wrong in his eyes. Trell had been by his side since he was 16, back when he had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Now, he just hoped he could get through the track without breaking, standing right on the edge.  

Trell: That's a wrap, bro. Sounded real good. I'll get it mixed and mastered and shoot it over to you by Friday.  

Dave: Bet. I'm out. One.  

Trell: One.  

I hopped into my 2019 blue Benz and headed to my mother's house to check on her and my little sis, Lani (short for Kalani).  

Dave: Hey, Ma, how you doing today?  

Ms. Laci: I'm doing good. Your sister's got me running around like crazy. You know she's starting to get into boys, and I swear if she's messing around, I'm gonna beat her ass. I caught her sneaking a boy in last week. She thinks she's grown. If she ends up pregnant, she's coming to live with you, and I mean it.  

Kahlani

I had Meg Thee Stallion's "Hot Girl Shit" blasting while I slipped into my gold and black dress with my black red bottoms, getting ready to head out with my best friend, Armani. We've been friends since we were young, and honestly, she's the best thing that ever happened to me. With my mom always working, it was just me and the two men in the house—Dave, my big brother, always acting like he ran things. I love my brother to death, but he wasn't about to stop me from doing what I wanted. I'm not a bad girl; I've been with my boyfriend Darius for almost a year, and yeah, I sneak him in sometimes, but we haven't done anything—I'm still a virgin. Hard to believe, right? But I'm waiting for the right man to "snatch this cookie up." I love Darius, but we're young, and I think I've got a thing for older men—it's just how they carry themselves, it turns me on.

Dave: "LANI, I KNOW YOUR ASS HEAR ME! I BEEN CALLING YOU FOR THE LAST 5 MINUTES. What's this about a nigga being in my house?"

Lani: "Chill out, Dave. Me and Darius were only studying. Ma just overreacts and never asks—she just assumes."

Dave: "Alright, Lani, don't get that nigga beat the fuck up. And what the fuck do you have on?"

Lani: "A dress. Come on, there's nothing wrong with it. I'm going out with Armani for a bit. I'll be back before twelve, I promise."

Dave: "Hell naw, make that 11:30. I'm not playing—y'all better be where you say you're at or I'ma pull up. How's Armani doing anyway?" Dave asked, his mind drifting to how fine Armani was. She'd always been around, but he never thought of her as a sister. Deep down, he always wanted her to be his wife, though he never said a word.

Lani: "She's good, why?" Snapping Dave out of his lustful thoughts, he muttered, "Don't worry about why. See you, lil' girl."

Dave kissed his mom and sister goodbye, then headed to the bar. He was bored, didn't mind a few drinks, and would probably end up staying awhile.