Page 19 of Set me Free

I turned to look at her and found myself smiling immediately. She was my height,—tall, with rich, chocolate skin,full lips, and a long weave that cascaded down her back. Her grin was playful, showing her slightly larger front teeth, which only made her look even cuter.

"I mean, it’s cool or whatever," I said, smirking. "But y’all don’t think it’s a little funny that they act like it’s on the same level as other forms of art? I mean, music is art, dance is art, art is art, but drama meh." I shrugged.

The girl with the bob raised a brow. "Girl. Exactly. Back at my high school you couldn’t tell the theater kids that what they were creating art; it’s pathetic."

"They swear they special," the tall one muttered.

"Like, no shade, but shade," the one with the bob added.

I laughed. I didn’t even know these girls yet, but I already liked them.

"I’m Serenity," I finally introduced myself.

"Averi St.Claire," the girl with the bob said. "Future grammy winning producer and song writer.

"Egypt Armstrong," the taller one said. "Same only add singer instead of producer."

"Oh, so y’all are at Tisch huh," I said. "I’m a dance major."

"Damn, you actually got talent," Egypt teased. “I know for a fact you gotta audition to even get in here for both dance and music.”

"Yup, imagine us now having to take this class and deal with a bunch of idiots." I sighed, shaking my head.

"On the bright side, it should be an easy A," Averi finished.

"I mean yeah," Egypt nodded. "But, if I wanted to pretend, I would’ve told my grandma I was pre-law like she wanted."

"Same. My parents were pushing me to go into medicine or law, but I’m trying to be a producer," Averi added.

"What kind of music?" I asked, intrigued.

"Mostly R&B. I write too. I play piano, bass, and acoustic guitar," she listed off casually.

"Oh, she talented talented," I said, impressed.

Egypt grinned. "Same. Well, not the instruments, but I sing and write. I been singing since I was a kid. Thought this was gon’ be my way out." Something about how she said that caught my attention.

"Way out?" I asked.

Egypt shrugged. "Yeah, I ain’t come from much. Grew up with my grandma, been working since I was fourteen. Singing was always my dream, but real life kept getting in the way. I was determined to leave Tennessee though and my granny was determined to get me out. I’m here on scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to afford it otherwise."

I nodded, understanding but not really.

"You?" Averi asked.

"I dance," I said simply.

"Obviously," Egypt smirked. "I mean like, what’s your story?"

I hesitated for a second before shrugging. "I’m from L.A. Just moved out here with my cousin. My family’s… kinda well known."

“What you mean well known? Like you got famous people in your family?”

“Well, I have a pretty famous person in my family.”

Egypt narrowed her eyes slightly, studying me. Something about her expression shifted.

"Wait," she said slowly. "You said your name was Serenity?"

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