"Yo, Jiae, it's time."
Those words from a close friend of hers rung through her ears as she prepped herself backstage. It was another one of those nights again -- performing. Her eyes slanted into even smaller slits as she glared at him from the mirror she was looking into. She didn't even have to say anything before he was raising his hands like a criminal about to be arrested for his rather extreme crimes. They both knew she hated her real name being used by anyone, yet he still liked to push her limits, test her, see how much ground he can cover before the nearest object is catapulted at his head. As he retreated with the small victory of not having any bodily harm, she grabbed her red and black checkered flannel and flung it over her slender arms. Giving herself one finally overlook, Jiae's signature smirk made its way across her face. Let's do this, kid.
Going down the long, dark tunnel-like hallways reminded her of how she started up. The small clubs, the lingering smell of cigarette smoke wafting through the air, the dirty looks she'd get since she was a female going up on stage to rap. She knew what they were thinking -- something along the lines of, 'Who does this girl think she is' or 'She can't even rap'. Jiae never forgot a single face or a single diss she received during those times. She also never forgot how quickly their facial expression contorted once they saw the true talent she had hidden behind the nonchalant facade. It was always such a rush to see how her haters turned into her fans. Idiots.
"Y'all show some love for Choi Sam."
The small applause she heard never fazed her, an inkling in the back of her mind always reminded her that the volume would change by the end. Her feet carried her up to center stage, mic in her hand and heart in the other. When she performed, everything was given up and left right there on the floor. Never taking to heart if the reaction wasn't as grand as she thought it would be. After all, haters gotta do something with their lives. The beat rolled in after what felt like forever, filling her eardrums with the familiar melody of Gazes. Choi Jiae was long gone. Now, it was Sam's turn to shine like the rapper she is.
"Hah."