Chapter 1 - "The Diner"
---RJ
I picked up the phone while taking off my apron. It was my first day on the job, and Ali wanted to know all about it.

“RJ!! How is it?!?!” she asked.

“Tone it down, it ain’t that great.”

“But you got the job!! Right?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. It sucks though. I’d rather work at McDonald’s!” I replied. Right after I said that, a hand touched my shoulder and spun me around. It was the manager. I stared in shock, still holding the phone. I could hear Ali asking if I was still there and I had no choice but to hang up.

“So.. you don’t like it here, eh?” the big man asked.

“No.. no I like this job, Mr. Johnson, I really do!”

“Well I’m sorry, but you’ve already disobeyed the rules. No talking to friends on the phone while you’re here...” he said, grinning. It was scary.

“Oh, I didn’t know that..” I smiled back.

“Well I’m sorry to say that you don’t know I’m gonna tell you that you’re not getting the job.”

With that, he walked away. I couldn’t believe it. I had gone through the job opportunities page so many times that I could’ve memorized it. And now I lost my chance. I gathered myself together and started to walk back to my apartment where I knew Ali would be waiting. But the only thing she’d be waiting to hear was that I lost control. Again.

---Ali
As I waited for RJ's slow butt, I thought about the possibilities that MIGHT happen. If she got the job, who knows.. maybe a BETTER living? I know I sound like I'm whining like your regular stubborn b*tch, but I can't help it. I need some release.

Suddenly, RJ came out with a frown on her face. She's not ANY good on trying to put a straight face trying to make believe that she didn't care. But hello.. I’m Alexandra.. I don't fall for that bullsh*t, especially not from her.

"You didn't get the job," I looked at her, waiting for any kind of response, but instead she let out a frustrated sigh.

"DAMN, I'M ALWAYS THAT LUCKY, RIGHT?.. I ALWAYS END UP DOING THINGS WRONG, AND MESSING IT UP FOR ME AND YOU!!!" She said. I felt like slapping her when she said that, because she knew she had tried her best, and that's what mattered.

"Listen, if the prick didn't hire you, big f*cking deal.. RJ, we are going to make it through this... there's always a positive in something negative.." I spoke with confidence. I knew this for a fact... something GOOD was going to happen to us, and no.. it's not because I wanted it to happen. I could feel it all over my body.... our dreams were going to happen. I could give a sh*tless if no one else believed...

"Why... CAN'T I just get a good job... actually, you know what? WHY can't we live a normal life.." She said.

I could tell she wanted to jump out a window and come to no return, but.. that's why I was there.. to push her because she lost all her faith... and she may not admit it, but she's losing it.

"Something good will come out of it, let's just go home.... we need some rest," I sighed as we walked home. We were so poor that we didn’t even have any kind of TRANSPORTATION except for the bus and train. I hated them... but yes, they’re a part of our lives. Anyways, when I said the word ‘home’, I could've laughed.. our apartment, was f*cked up nonetheless with one bed and one sofa bed. It had untarnished walls... JUST think of the world "ugly".. and our apartment would be the best definition. But one day we will hopefully get out of the ghetto.. and go to some place... desirable.

---RJ
Once we arrived at our disgusting apartment, I threw my wallet on the bed and headed straight for my keyboard that was leaning against a wall in the corner of the room. It was probably the most expensive thing in our entire possession. I was too upset to speak or breathe and I needed something to calm me down. If some assh*le was just going to blow me off, then this was the right time to let go.

“You comin’ with?” I looked at Ali, who nodded and smiled. I took my keyboard in one arm with its stand in the other and made my way up to the roof of our apartment building. I set everything up and played my music while Ali sang.

Oceans apart, day after day
And I slowly go insane
I hear your voice
On the line
But it doesn't stop the pain
If I see you next to never
How can we stay forever

This was the perfect place to perform our music. It always was. The music flowed its way through my soul as my fingers lightly touched the keys. Ali’s voice was beautiful. It was worth more than anything I could ever imagine.

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you

“That was awesome,” I said after we finished. “Ali.. you gotta do something with that voice. It’s gold,” I added.

“Eh.. I don’t think so.. it’s only platinum..” she said. I knew she didn’t believe me.

“Bullsh*t. You could at least believe in yourself. You know you’ve got what it takes,” I complained. She turned away and walked back to our room. Before I carried my equipment back downstairs, I took one last look of the night sky. There was something out there for us. We just couldn’t find it since we were looking in the wrong places. Damn dreams. Will they EVER come true?


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