Ayoluwa had gone this long without singing was when she had strep throat in fifth grade.

She didn't sing for two days and she had promised herself she would never go that long again.

But now Ayoluwa was on her second week without belting a single note.

Ayoluwa sat on the couch, mindlessly gazing at the reality show that was on VH1.

The sound of someone walking in from the hallway that contained the bedrooms caused Ayoluwa to glance back.

Imani was clearly showing now, with a hand always protectively hovering her protruded abdomen.

Ayoluwa shook her head as Imani sat down on the cushions on the other side.

Imani was the perfect mother when the child was inside the womb, she didn't touch alcohol, she attended every doctor's visit and she wouldn't step foot in a room that contained a hot tub.

When the baby was delivered was a clearly different story.

Ayoluwa folded her legs into her body and then rested her arms on top of her knees, whilst glancing at her sister.

She couldn't remember the last time that her and Imani could manage to be in the same room without a major disagreement.

When the show went to commercial, Imani coughed and looked up at Ayoluwa, "I saw that video of you singing. I forgot how good you are."

Ayoluwa glanced at her again but said nothing, sure that it would lead to an argument somehow.

"All of my friends were telling me about it." Imani continued.

Ayoluwa sighed, "Is there a point to this? Why are you bringing this up?"

Imani blinked, clearly surprised, "I forgot you were blunt."

Ayoluwa didn't speak, simply raising an eyebrow as her response.

"Do you remember when we used to go to church with mom and you were part of the choir?" Imani asked, "I remember one time, you had to wear this ridiculous church hat."

"Imani, what is your point?" Ayoluwa pressed as she put the hood from her orange hoodie down.

Imani shifted a little, "Shareef told me something that kinda freaked me out... Did you really stop singing?"

"The last person I want to discuss my decisions with is you." Ayoluwa stood up and padded over to the kitchen.

Flinging open the freezer, Ayoluwa snatched a blue ice pop then tore it open.

"I'm just saying... I did and look at me now." Imani said.

Ayoluwa stopped and turned to look at her older sister, "I didn't even know you sang."

"I wasn't as open as you are about it. Only mom knew, really."

"I don't even remember what it feels like." Imani continued, "I don't even know if I still sound good."

"Why'd you stop?" Ayoluwa questioned.

"Well..." Imani positioned herself in an upright position, "When mom died... Nothing really mattered. Some things still don't and I guess singing was just one of them."

Ayoluwa pushed up some of her ice pop then bit a section off.

"So the point is... Don't be like me." Imani shook her head.

"I mean... Have you tried singing again?"

Imani shook her head again as Ayoluwa rejoined her on the couch, "I don't know that I want to. I haven't warmed up properly in years, I'm almost scared."

Ayoluwa was the one to shake her head this time, "Singing is like riding a bike. If you could do it once, you can do it forever."

Ayoluwa turned off the tv in order to have a perfectly silent house.

"I don't know, Ayo..." Imani sighed.

"One verse, you can pick the song. I've never heard you sing," Ayoluwa pleaded.

Ayoluwa could see the wheels in Imani's head spinning for a moment and then...

Imani launched into the chorus of Heartbreak Anniversary by Giveon, "Cause I remember every time, on these days that feel like you and me, heartbreak anniversary, do you ever think of me?"

Imani was rusty as she thought but her raspiness and the breath control left Ayoluwa a little in wonder.

"You still got it." Ayoluwa confessed then took another section of the ice pop into her mouth.

"Thanks, sis." Imani snickered as the doorbell rang.

"That's probably Jamal," Imani stood up, "I have a doctors appointment."

"Okay." Ayoluwa muttered.

Her lips quirked as she watched her sister waddle out the door before turning her gaze to the cell phone still laying on the ottoman.

Ayoluwa blinked before reaching over and snatching it off.

Hesitating a second, Ayoluwa hit the do not disturb button, effectively turning it off.

Almost immediately, her phone screen was filled with of a bunch of Instagram notifications.

"Still can't believe he did that shit." Ayoluwa muttered.

She began to scroll through the all of the likes, tags and comments then stopped in surprise at a the most recent one.

Def Jam posted that God forsaken video to it's Instagram page and the caption was directly asking who the girl was.

"Oh my god. Oh my god." Ayoluwa whispered and her heart began threatening to beat its way out of her chest.

Ayoluwa felt conflicted.

On one hand, she had given music up to nurture Lauryn and answering the Instagram story would probably mean that she had just given up all of the time but this was also the chance of a lifetime and if she let it float past her, she might never receive another offer.

'You're too young to give up on your dreams.'

'Don't be like me.'

Ayoluwa pursed her lips once more then went to direct message the page.

"If it works, it works and no one's the wiser. If not then oh well." Ayoluwa whispered in an attempt to console herself.

She hit send and then immediately started to pray.

Lord, please let this work.

I don't have anything else.

this story is almost finished🥺

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