Fallen Star Pt. 1 -- Onikafaree

"The doctor says that you need to take atleast a month off to rest." Mama Carol warned Nicki.

"I know but I need to get back to work." She grunted as she sat up in her hospital bed.

"Aye, Nic. Telephone." Safaree gestured for her to take the phone from him.

"I just  got out of surger-"

"Take it, its important." He placed the phone into her hand.

"Hello? What?! Seriously? Ok, well I'll be there in. . ." She looked at her mother who was giving her a disapproving glare. "Actually, I have to make some arrangements. Can I give you a call back? Ok. Thank you so much!"

"Who was that?" Her mother asked.

"Lil Wayne." She was in a daze. "He wants me on his label."


Once the words escaped her lips she realized she had other priorities. She'd worked so hard for opportunities like this but she couldn't even take it. Atleast not now.

"Well, I don't know who this Mr. Lil Wayne is but I suppose you are in no position to deny your talents." She looked into her daughters eyes and saw all of her dreams being pushed aside. She couldn't allow that to happen.

"But Ma. ."

"No buts, I'll take care of the loose ends here. You can leave your car with me, your lease is almost up so. ."

"What about the. ."

"I'll handle it."

Nicki had tears in her eyes as she picked up her phone and dialed Lil Wayne. She was about to take a leap of faith and hopefully she wouldn't fail. She would figure out some way to repay her mother but that would come in time.


*5 years later*

Nicki got off of her private jet with body guards and camera men following near by. She'd achieved worldwide success as a performer and created a brand that every household in America was aware of. She recently became engaged to billionaire Ralph Lenor. Her life was perfect so when a producer reached out and offered to film a documentary she had no problem accepting.

The crew had been following her for 3 months and got really good footage. The director suggested that they film in her hometown of Queens to display her roots. At first she said no but Ralph convinced her it would be good for image.

"We used to sit on that stoop and rap for hours." Nicki pointed out the window laughing at her memories. "That's where I learned to hold my own against the dudes because I was like, the only girl."

They pulled up to a house and got out. Nothing had changed. Nicki began to feel bad because it wasn't until now that she realized she did nothing spectacular to show her mother her gratitude. She hadn't told her mother she was coming so she hoped that she was home. She knocked on her mothers door with cameras behind her.

"Um, guys. Can you wait in the car? I have to explain all these cameras and stuff to my mother."

As the camera men walked away the  door swung open.

"Nicki!" Her mother pulled her into a warm embrace. She missed her scent, it was calming.

"Hi mommy." She smiled only to be hit with a dish rag.

"Why  haven't you called? " Before she could answer her mother continued to scold her. "I have been worried Onika! 7 months with no call or anything and you just stroll on in like I see you every day."

"I'm sorry mommy. I just. ."

"No need for apologies. Are you hungry? You're just in time. Safaree took Micaiah out but they should be back soon."

Hearing their names made her heart stop and sent an overwhelming feeling over her. She hadn't seen Safaree since they parted ways a year into her Young Money contract. Her Lambchop was 4 now and she hadn't seen him since he was born. She began regretting listening to Ralph.

Things are always better when you keep your distance. She thought. 

"Oh. Well, I sorta brought some friends with me."

"Those camera people? Oh, you aren't bringing Hollywood into this house until you get right with your family." She smiled and walked into the kitchen.

"Yes ma'am." She sighed and followed behind her mother. She still knew how to make her feel like a child.

"I'll be back in an hour or so. I have to pick someone up." She smiled and kissed her mothers cheek.

"Who? Where are you going?" Mama Carol questioned.

"I'll be back. Don't worry!" was all she said before walking out and letting the door slam behind her.

Nicki told the camera crew to stick around for a few days until she called. They needed this footage for her documentary. She would have preferred to stay with her mother but Ralph was in town with her and he had "undeniable comforts" that he could only find in his home or 5 star hotels. He wouldn't even spend the night at Nicki's after 3 years of dating.

"This is where you grew up?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yup." Nicki ignored his snooty comment and stepped out of the cab. Good and bad memories seemed to all rush her at once.

"I thought the whole just barely making it as a child stories were an act. Wow." he stated getting out the car.

They walked up to the door and knocked. The door swung open to a four year old in his underwear.

"Hi Caiah." she smiled at him.

"How do you know my name?" he looked at her wide eyed, shrugged, the ran towards the masculine voice calling his name.

Nicki was on the verge of tears.

"Who is that?" Ralph asked.

"That's Micaiah. Nicki's. ." Nickis mother began speaking as she walked towards the door.

"That's my brother!" Nicki blurted. "And this is my mother, Carol."

"I'm Ralph. You have a lovely home." he said taking her hand to shake as he stepped in. Nicki rolled her eyes at how fake he was.


Ralph walked in in front of the ladies who had an argument via eye contact. Nicki's mother slammed the door behind them meaning they would talk later.

"Mom, Ralph is my. ."

"Get back here little Coon!" Safaree came running in the room behind a naked Micaiah. He stopped and made contact with the only woman he had ever truly loved.

"Hi Safaree." She said before forcing air into her lungs. She felt her knees growing weak. Time did nothing but benefit him.

"Hey. What's up man. I'm Safaree." he put his hand out for Ralph to shake.

"Ralph."

"Alright man. Let's get dressed." Safaree vanished into the back to help the four year old.


"Is that your older brother?" Ralph asked.

"No." Nicki said dryly.

"Safaree is like a son to me though. I really do. . ." Mama Carol began to brag about Safaree as if he were her own.

"Excuse me." Nicki dissapeared into the back of the house where Safaree had gone.

When she got to the back and quickly glanced into the rooms she didn't see Safaree. She saw Micaiah in pajamas covered with trucks. He was playing with an ambulence and rescuing a G. I. Joe.

"He's smart." Safaree said.

"We need to talk." She said turning into his chest. She couldn't look him in his eyes.

"Let's go in here." He led her to her older brothers old room.

They sat in silence for what felt like ten minutes.

"Look, I'm sorry I just popped up out of no where but. ."

"Save it Nic. You did everything you said you wouldn't. Where is your mothers new home? You have 2, right? What about Micaiah, he doesn't even know that your. ."

"Keep your voice down." She said through her teeth.

"Oh, your boyfriend doesn't know?" he chuckled.

"Fiancé."

"Whatever Nicki. Why are you even here?"

"I'm shooting a documentary and. ."

"More Hollywood bullshit, huh? You know, you ought to take a look in the mirror. Tell me when you find Onika." He walked out of the room leaving Nicki in tears.


"Oh, there you are babe." Nicki quickly wiped the tears that had escaped and stood. "Your brother and his family just got here. Your mom says it's time to pray over the food."

Ralph followed Nicki out of the room. When she saw her brother she jumped into his arms. The whole family gathered around the table. Nicki was placed awkwardly between Safaree and Ralph. Safaree began to pray.

"Dear God, we come together to bless the food. We thank you not only for the food but for bringing us all together. . .we are a family, no matter how many months we don't speak. No matter how many years we don't see each other. No matter if we make promises Lord Jes-"

"Ok, Safaree. Lets eat." Mama Carol cut in. Nicki glared at him.

Nicki and her family sat around the table laughing like they did this everyday. Every once and a while she would lean over and explain phrases and foods to Ralph. This dinner was making her realized how different they were.

"Yo, remember that party we threw on the roof of your apartments SB?" Jelani asked.

"Yooo! Everybody was there! My moms was pissed when she found out!" Safaree responded.

"Language Daddy." Micaiah spoke. Nicki's eyes grew wide but Ralph was unmoved by the comment.

"Sorry guy." Safaree wiped some food off the boys face and went back to the conversation.

Nicki couldn't take her eyes off the pair. She started feeling like she was missing something and no amount of money or fame could fix it. When she saw Safaree look up at her she quickly turned away and forced food into her mouth.

"After all these years I still can't figure where you and Nic ran off to." Jelani look quizzically and once again Nicki's eyes grew wide.

"Where did we go that night Nic?" Safaree gave a sinister smile and Nicki began to choke on her food.

"Are you ok child?" Nicki's mother asked.

"Yes. I think I'm full." Nicki got up and walked to the back of the house to her old room. As she walked away she heard everyone getting up saying they were full.

Nicki leaned foward into her dresser and looked into the mirror. Safaree was right. She'd changed for all the wrong reasons. She heard the bedroom door open, close, then lock. Safaree put his arms around her and kissed her neck.

"Safaree." She let a moan escape.

"I forgive you." He turned her around and kissed her lips.

"My. Fiancé." She managed to say between kisses.

"Still not a cheater. That's good." he smiled and went to sit on the bed.

"Its not cheating when it's with your husband." She swallowed hard.