Page 22 of Don Caselli

“Get lost in a book. Then maybe you wouldn’t be crashing out all the time,” I teased her, and she sat down beside me.

London was theitgirl, and she knew it. The only reason we were acquaintances was because we were invited to the same kind of events. I was someone who enjoyed my own company, so I was never pressed for friends. I had a few friends that grew up with me and actually knew me.

I realized that nothing was ever what it seemed when it came to social media. Everyone was pretending to be someone that they weren’t, and it was all an illusion. So, when they metsomeone who didn’t feed into that illusion, and was comfortable being themselves, they were like a token. I realized I was that token for London and the rest of the content girls. They loved to be around me because I made them seem real, when half of their supporters felt like they weren’t.

Being associated with Navy Bleu meant they were conscious, deep and real. They wanted everyone to look at them as that, and not the air heads that shopped all the time and were too scared to speak out on the happenings of the world.

Brands that aligned with me would support my need to speak on things happening in this country. I was never afraid to lose a brand because I would rather lose the brand than sell my soul for money. My family raised me to stand for things that I believe in, and that has been what I’ve done and will continued to do so.

“These bitches be trying me all the time with these think pieces like they know me.” She rolled her eyes and crossed her legs.

“That’s the point, London. They don’t know you, so why let them get under your skin? It’s hard, but these people want to see the content, give them that and nothing more.”

She looked over at me. “Which brings me to how are you even here and being so calm while Antwan was with Mila Rose over the weekend?”

I had saw everybody talking about Antwan and Mila Rose, another influencer, at some white party in Miami. He was holding her hand as they walked to the Maserati that I’m sure his management team had provided for him.

The endorsement deals had already started to roll in, and Antwan’s head was as big as the sky. He hadn’t been drafted, and he was already acting like he was an MVP. He constantly shit talked Jaiden Cooper, because before the endorsements he had money.

Driving around in a foreign car wasn’t new to Jaiden. He sported a simple gold chain, and he was so humble whenever he spoke in interviews. He spoke on his older sister and how he wouldn’t have been in this space had it not been for her and their family. Antwan acted the opposite, like he was always supposed to be in that spot and none of the little people helped him along the way.

“Why would I care? We are broken up, and he’s free to date anyone that he wants.” I shrugged, although the pictures crushed me.

How could he end things like we hadn’t invested so much time in this? I knew we would eventually end here, but it damn sure didn’t feel nice. While I was going through the grieving phase of what we ended, he was out and about living life like he didn’t break my heart. What hurt the most was how he went right to Mila Rose, the one person I couldn’t stand.

Mila Rose was the kind influencer who got her influence from other people. She stole content and her niche was always changing. At one point, she was heavily into her journey with God, and then when that started making her lose followers, she switched it to this luxury content. Days in the life, and shopping hauls, which was London’s kind of content. At one point, she started to steal my music history series.

When everyone shut her down and told her she didn’t know what the hell she was talking about, she shifted gears because she realized my kind of content was organic. You couldn’t steal that. It had to be in you, and Mila ain’t never gave a fuck about music content.

If anything, I always questioned why London never had a problem with her. She was a bigger influencer than London with more followers, but it was clear she was stealing her content. London was so busy trying to be friends with her to get into theincrowd that she would sell her soul to be invited to sit with Mila and her friends.

“I know, but Mila Rose? I would be in bed sobbing my eyes out or calling his phone and then hanging up… why did you break up with him?”

“Whew, I had to pee so bad… I got some drinks,” Greene saved me from having to answer that question.

I smiled. “Thanks.”

London, no longer interested in having the conversation anymore excused herself and went to sit over by the other girls. They had a ring light out and each of them were trying to get the perfect picture.

“What the hell is her problem?”

“You interrupted her being nosey and trying to be in my business.” I snorted and sipped the drink Greene had handed me. “Yum, this is so good… what is it?”

“Beans told me this is his secret drink… it’s good, but packs a punch, too.”

I smiled while teasing her. “Beannnssss.”

“That man is so smart… I enjoy his time.”

“Just his time?” I side eyed her.

“I would have told you if we hooked up, and we haven’t even gone there. He legit just wants to get to know me, and I love that. You know I’m on a celibacy journey.”

“Cause you couldn’t stop hopping on that man’s dick,” I snorted.

She shoved me as we both laughed. Greene’s ex-boyfriend was toxic, and she knew it. Our entire family hated that damn man. I knew she was doomed when he hollered at her while we were waiting for the L train.

He was driving the train and popped his head out and asked for her name. When she responded, he thought she was lying tohim. While everyone boarded, he got her number and promised he was going to call her.

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