🎤 * ◟ ❛ HOW DO YOU WANT IT ❜ ,  
2PAC.

❝ How do you want it? How does it feel? Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real. How do you want it? How do you feel? Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game I'm livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real. ❞

Tatiana reapplied some venetian red lipstick which complimented her skin tone greatly to the middle of her lips before pursing her them together to mix the color. The quiet melody of You're Makin' Me High by Toni Braxton played from the radio and she couldn't help but move along to it. Stepping back to allow her full frame to be visible in the mirror, she decided to wear a red backless short-length dress which highlighted all the curves in the right places. The last thing she needed was to get her heels and she was ready.

She didn't go overboard with the hair or makeup wanting to just have her hair pinned up with a swoop, with her makeup minimal but good enough for it to enhance her features.

Tonight was a special night as Tatiana and her best friend Michelle heading over to the House Of Blues down at Sunset Strip since the rapper Tupac was having a concert there. Michelle was a huge fan of the rapper, and couldn't wait to see him live ever since he got out of prison. Although Tatiana was a fan of him she was someone who was more on the casual side and wasn't a die hard like her best friend. She'll admit honestly that his latest album was hot and really liked the track How Do You Want It which featured brothers K-Ci and JoJo from Jodeci.

Lucky for them, Michelle managed to get front-row tickets to his concert as she emphasized greatly on them having a good time tonight. While they were busy getting ready, Tatiana couldn't help but look for a pair of heels that she'd plan on wearing to the concert. "Michelle have you seen my heels?" She asked while looking in her closet. She just had them a minute ago and now they were gone.

Michelle entered her bedroom while holding her purse, "You mean these?" She looks down at her feet. Tatiana's eyes immediately grew wide as she notices that Michelle had on the heels that she planned on wearing but before she could say anything, she stopped her, "Before you start don't they look good on me! And it ain't my fault we wear the same size in shoes. So as your loving best friend and partner in crime can I wear them, please?" Michelle made sure to do puppy-dog eyes (as they always worked) while clasping her hands together.

"Alright fine! But if you break 'em you buying it back." Tatiana warns before going back in her closet to find another heel that'll match her outfit.

After what it seemed like hours of getting ready, Tatiana and Michelle stepped out feeling good and looking good. As they waited at a red light Michelle couldn't help but smile widely, "I can't wait til' my man hits the stage." She excitingly states and Tatiana couldn't help but laugh, "Your man?"

"Duh my nigga Snoop, I heard he was gonna be performing there too. I gotta show my support to both." She said in an obvious tone, "Oh and could you get me my lipgloss from my purse, my lips starting to feel kinda dry."

Giving her a really? Look Tatiana obliged nonetheless and grabs her purse from the backseat. Grabbing the lipgloss she couldn't help but stop once she notices the backstage passes. Tatiana asked Michelle about the backstage passes but she told her that it was sold out, "I know this ain't what I think it is. You got the backstage passes?" She held up the passes, "And you couldn't tell me!?"

Michelle laughed at her shocked expression, "I wanted it to be a surprise." She'd been keeping it a secret for weeks and no matter how hard she wanted to just give up and tell Tatiana the truth she had to stick to the surprise.

It's been about twenty-minutes and so far Tatiana's been having the time of her life. She couldn't tell you how many times she's screamed and rapped along to every word she knew. She was having the time of her life. "He is even finer in person." Michelle fans herself a little watching as her performed on stage.

"Girl you ain't even have to tell me twice." She shouted over the music before moving her head along to a song he was performing. His energy was simply captivating and overall stage presence was strong. He truly was the best and doing what he did. It wasn't until the song was over and she then saw JoJo, K-Ci and even Mr. Dalvin walk on stage, Tatiana couldn't help but tap Michelle's shoulder repeatedly out of excitement, "I bet you they're gonna perform it."

It wasn't until the beat for How Do You Want It drops and that's when she went all out, "How do you want it? How do you feel?" The crowd gets extremely hyped waving their hands in the air and singing along with stars on stage. The girls began screaming loudly watching a Tupac did his thing on stage, watching his every move while rapping to the song. Dancing to the music Tatiana danced, sung and had a good time growing oblivious to the fact that she had eyes on her.

While finishing his first verse, Tupac couldn't help but notice the two women who stood in the front row. Specifically the one who was wearing that red dress. Moving while rapping, he was now directly in front of Tatiana and Michelle.

"Girl I think he's looking at you." Michelle whispered glancing at her friend who was still singing along even looking at the rapper in his eyes himself. Even if she wanted to Tatiana couldn't find the strength to look away, there was just something about that man that left you drawn.

With a small smirk he raps, "Your body is bangin', baby, I love it when you flaunt it. Time to give it to daddy, nigga, now tell me how you want it." He couldn't help but add a little hand motion to emphasize what he meant all while not breaking eye contact.

It wasn't until he went on the otherside of the stage that Tatiana finally snapped out of her small daze. Looking Michelle she uttered out, "Did that just happen?"

An hour soon passed and the show was over concluding with Michelle's man of the night Snoop Dogg and both him and Tupac performing 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted. Tatiana has never seen Michelle get that star stuck over a person. Ever.

People were already pooling out to the exit but they made their way over to where they'd be checking for backstage passes, "We had a time tonight. Snoop was looking so fine with his tall ass." Michelle swooned with a dreamy sigh, "And the way Pac looked at you. I may be delusional but he looked like he wanted to tear that ass up right then and there." She joked.

Rolling her eyes, Tatiana dismisses her claims although the brief interaction lit a fire inside. Once they finally reached their destination Michelle couldn't help but point out the obvious, "Damn, look at this line, it's like the whole of California done went to see 'em." She looked at the long line of women who was busy adjusting their dresses to an even shorter length of holding markers with posters for their favorite artists to sign.

"Alright everybody, so we can only bring a couple more in so make it quick." A security guard yells and Michelle and Tatiana ran the best they could to the front but got stopped, "Sorry ladies, but he ain't seeing no more fans at this time."

Michelle eyed the man as if he said something crazy, "Whatchu' mean by he ain't seeing no more fans? Don't piss me off." The bodyguard stayed silent as he just watched her continue with her rant, "Now listen here I paid good money for these damn backstage passes and rightfully deserve to see the people that I paid to see."

Not wanting it to turn into some big thing Tatiana just got a hold of Michelle arm, "C'mon let's just go. We had a good time at the concert and let it be at that."

However Michelle wasn't having none of that, "Nah fuck allat. I paid good money for this shit. Now unless you want me to go Compton on yo' big Winnie the Poo looking ass, I suggest you move out my way." She warned while taking off her earrings.

"Woah hold on do we have a problem here?" Despite the small ruckus that was happening she managed to recognized the voice, looking behind the large man to see none other than Tupac.

"Yes we have a problem. We as fans paid for these backstage passes and he won't let us through." Michelle stated, giving the security guard who denied them a dirty look before looking at the rapper.

"They're fans?" He asked as the security guard nodded quickly in response, "Well let them 'em in then, especially her." He looks in Tatiana's direction as the security guard unhooks the chain and let them by, quietly sucking his teeth in the process.

"That's what I thought. Bitch ass nigga." Flicking past him Michelle turns her head smartly.

Michelle then hurries over to Tatiana's side while putting her earrings back on, "You thought I was playing? Girl I meant it when I said we was going backstage." She laughed as they followed the rapper.

"I know."

"Exactly—wait is that Snoop Dogg? Girl you go have fun with Pac imma go hit up Snoop if you cool with that." Clearing her throat, Michelle fixes her dress "Just give me the deets later on—hey Snoopy I got something I need you to sign."

"Is she always like that?" Tupac asks with a quiet chuckle finding Tatiana's friend hilarious. Tatiana couldn't help but laugh as well, "Yeah she's always been like that. Even when we were kids."

Once the reached a door, the bodyguard soon opened it revealing the backstage room. Looking around Tatiana couldn't help but notice the many bottles of alcohol, various foods and snacks. Failing to realize that she was awkwardly standing around, the sound of Tupac's deep voice got her attention, "You know you can take a seat right? I won't bite unless you want me to." He teases which then causes Tatiana to grow embarrassed quickly sitting in the nearest seat by her.

"You want something to drink?" Tatiana nodded, "Yeah, just give me anything that ain't Hennessy." One sip of Hennessy and it'll have her gone. Trust me she's experienced it before and never again. Taking Hennessy out as an option, he then holds up a bottle of Alize's Gold Passion, "How 'bout this?"

"I'd like that." She nods once again watching his as he poured her a cup. Tatiana couldn't help but bite her lips as she found herself eyeing the way his muscles contorted underneath the wife beater her wore. Snapping out of her small fantasy she looked away only to smile when he hands her—her drink, "Thanks."

Taking a sip she allows the sweet yet satisfying liquid to sink in while eyeing the nice decor and extra stuff. Sitting besides her, he asks, "So what's your name? Or do I have to work hard in order to find out?" He already knew her name just by looking at her backstage pass but wanted to her it from her lips instead.

With a small giggle she answers, "I don't need you to work for anything now and it's Tatiana." He nodded and took a sip from his drink all while smirking at her.

"Tatiana...Tatiana I like that." He repeats placing his cup down on the table next to him he then pulls out an already rolled blunt. "So? How'd you like the concert?" He asks he gestures toward the blunt almost silently asking if she minded him lighting it towards she shook her head no.

Taking another sip of her drink she answers, "I enjoyed it. It was good seeing Outlawz, Snoop, and most of Jodeci up there." She had a great time. Enjoyed herself and despite the slight tight spacing she still made it work, "And don't think I ain't notice the way you was eyeing me up and down, tonight. Following my every move, what was up with that?"

Tatiana wasn't so sure if it was the alcohol talking because she felt really bold. Maybe a little bit too bold.

Chuckling at her rather bold question, Tupac attempted to find his lighter that he could've sworn was in his pockets but answers her question nonetheless, "Whenever I notice a beautiful woman I can't help but admire them."

As he struggled to find his lighter, Tatiana decided to help him and pull out the lighter she always carried with her from out her purse. She wasn't exactly a smoker but when you have a friend like Michelle, there was always the possibility of a smoke sesh happening. And Tatiana loved her a good incense.

"C'mere." She holds up her lighter near the end of the blunt that rested between his lips. Not breaking eye contact, with the flick of her finger it lights up, the reddish gas burning the end of the blunt followed by smoke escaping his nose.

"Thanks," He said rather smoothly her brown eyes staring into hers deeply.

He got some pretty ass eyes She thought to herself, finding herself getting lost in them. Blinking back into self realization, Tatiana averted her gaze by taking a swift sip of her drink. The conversation reverted into complete silence with both adults soaking in the atmosphere and overall energy.

It wasn't until Tupac during a mid smoke suddenly asks, "You smoke?" The question catches Tatiana slightly off guard which in hindsight wasn't a good idea since she almost choked on her prefilled drink. Swallowing it down immediately she nods, "Not really."

Tupac tilted his head slightly, studying her with that trademark half-smile that carried both mischief and mystery. "Not really, huh? So what's that mean—only on special occasions?" He teased, the blunt resting comfortably between his fingers as he exhaled a slow cloud of smoke that curled up toward the dim lights overhead.

Tatiana laughed softly, twirling her cup between her fingers. "I mean, I'm not the roll-up type, but I don't judge. I'll light one for somebody, though," she said, flashing him a knowing look.

"Mm," He hummed, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "That's real grown of you."

The faint bass from the stage still thumped through the walls—somebody from Outlawz must've been freestyling outside the room because she could hear bits of laughter, random ad-libs, and the metallic hiss of a beer can popping open. The air was hazy, thick with smoke, the scent of cologne and something slightly sweet—Alizé and weed—lingering between them.

"You know," Tupac said after a pause, resting his elbow on the couch behind her, "you don't really seem like the kind that be front row at a concert screamin' like that."

Tatiana looked over, feigning offense. "And what kind am I then?"

He chuckled, tapping ash into a tray. "The type that usually be chillin' in VIP, legs crossed, just watchin' the chaos. You don't strike me as somebody that gets star-struck."

"I wasn't," She replied quickly, her tone playful but steady. "I was enjoying the music. There's a difference."

"Oh, so that look you gave me wasn't 'star-struck,' huh?" He raised an eyebrow, leaning in just enough for her to feel the heat of his presence.

Tatiana turned toward him fully now, smirking. "What look?"

"That one right there."

Her lips parted slightly, then curved into a slow grin. "You got jokes."

He grinned back, his stare cutting deep. "Only when I'm tryin' to make somebody smile."

She tried to look away, but the low rasp of his voice had a pull to it—rough around the edges but smooth in intention. He leaned back, taking another drag, his eyes still fixed on her.

"So what about you, Tatiana? What you into—besides lightin' blunts for rappers?"

She laughed again, shaking her head. "I work. I travel. I dance when I get the chance. I'm not out here chasin' nobody."

"That sound like peace," He said thoughtfully. "Ain't a lot of people got that."

"It took me a while to get here." She glanced at him, tone softening. "Peace don't come easy when life keep tryin' you."

He nodded slowly, exhaling another small cloud. "You ain't never lied. It's like... the more I try to keep it cool, the more the world wanna test me."

There was a heaviness behind his words, something almost vulnerable that made her eyes linger. She could tell he wasn't just talking about fame or rap—there was more underneath it.

"Then maybe that's why you needed nights like this," She said gently. "To remind yourself you're still human. Still here."

He looked at her for a long moment, expression unreadable, before finally saying, "You sound like somebody I was meant to talk to tonight."

Her heart skipped. "Oh, so now you believe in fate?"

"I believe in timing," He replied, his tone easy but his eyes dead serious. "And right now? The timing feels real good."

The silence that followed wasn't awkward—it was charged. She sipped the last of her drink just to break eye contact, feeling her pulse quicken.

From across the room, Snoop's laugh erupted loud and careless, followed by Michelle's voice shouting, "Girl, he said I can have his autograph and his number!"

Tatiana groaned under her breath, laughing. "Lord, she didn't."

"Oh, she did," Tupac smirked, glancing toward the door. "Your friend wild. I like her."

"She's somethin' else," Tatiana said with a small smile. "She got no filter but a big heart."

"That's the best kinda people," He said, finishing off the blunt and stubbing it out. He turned to her once more, eyes dipping briefly toward her lips before returning to her gaze. "You tryna dip? Ain't nothin' much else goin' on here except folks gettin' drunk and talkin' nonsense."

Her brows rose slightly. "And where exactly would we be goin'?"

"Nowhere crazy," He assured with that trademark grin. "Just somewhere quieter. Ain't gotta be a date... unless you want it to be."

Tatiana hesitated. Her mind raced—Michelle would absolutely lose it if she found out. But something about him—the energy, the voice, the way he looked at her like he already knew what she was thinking—made it hard to say no.

She set her empty cup down slowly. "Somewhere quieter sounds nice."

He stood, offering her his hand. "Then let's roll."

Her hand slid into his—warm, steady, confident and as he led her out of the room, past the lingering haze of smoke and chatter, she couldn't help but wonder what exactly the night had in store.

Michelle caught her eye from across the hall, flashing a sly grin that said everything without words.

"Oh, I'm gettin' the deets later!" She mouthed, holding up her drink before turning back to Snoop.

Tatiana just laughed, shaking her head as Tupac guided her toward a side exit. The cool L.A. night hit her skin the moment they stepped outside, the faint echo of traffic and music humming in the distance.

He glanced down at her, his voice low. "You cold?"

"A little."

Without another word, he shrugged off his denim jacket and draped it over her shoulders. It smelled like him—woodsy, clean, and something faintly sweet.

"Better?"

She nodded, smiling faintly. "Better."

"Good," He said, hands slipping into his pockets. "'Cause I got a feelin' this night ain't over yet."

And something about the way he said it—the quiet promise in his tone—made her believe him.

𝖎. Part two? This was in drafts for almost two years.