SAVONTE HICKS - WHEN SPARKS FLY

Savonté Hicks is a 20 year old creative writer from Cleveland, Ohio. He currently attends Full Sail University in order to obtain his bachelor’s in his field of work while also bettering his skills and his craft in the process.

When Sparks Fly
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“Dues! Dues, wake up! You can’t fall, asleep man, you have to stay awake! Somebody help my brother is going to die!” said Lace. As the fireworks burst overhead, the music stops and everyone disperses. What was an eventful day turned into one Dues would never forget.
As he was lying there on the cold concrete watching as the vibrant colors covered the sky, he thought how everything could’ve ended differently if he never went through with today's plans. Earlier that day Lace bust in Dues’ room,
“Dues, wake up! We got big plans for today so let's get to it. Theia just invited us over to her house party and you know! I’m trying to get them cheeks.”
Dues gives Lace a stern eye and a loud groan before asking him  “What does any of that have to do with me?”
“Well since you want to act like a pansy just know Nyx will be there and she's been asking about you. You’ve been crushing on her for some years and now is your chance to score.”
“Yeah, well, she has a boyfriend anyway so none of that matters and I don’t want to just score with her, even though that would be nice.”
“Stop lying to yourself man that would be the best day of your life, and that’s today! It’s the 4th of July so get up, get dressed and stop acting dumb.” Lace leaves the room as Dues gets up rummaging through his clothes. A couple of hours pass and Dues decides they should grab some liquor for the party.
“Yo Lace! We should hit the store real quick and grab some Henny.”
“Are you sure? You know how you can be once you start drinking.”
“Well, I rather be myself and live a little than be shy and in the cut the entire party so let's go.” They head off to the liquor store, the sun now kissing the horizon, the streets filled with laughter and joy. They pull into the parking lot and see Theia’s ex Zasalamel and his gang hanging around the liquor store.
“Maybe we should just go to a different store, I think Zasalamel is going to start something,” said Lace
“We’re not going anywhere and nobody’s starting anything, we came here to get a bottle and that's what we’re going to do. Besides the party starts soon we don’t have time.” They get out of the car and begin walking towards the entrance. As they pass by Zasalamel starts to question Lace.
“Hey Lace! what‘re you doing around my territory?” Dues steps in front of Lace preventing any confrontation.
“Ignore him, let’s go.” said Dues as they walked into the store. As they leave the store, they notice that Zasalamel and his gang have left. The nightfalls and the moonlight gleams, the sky is covered by vivid colors, the laughter in the streets silenced by blasts, and booms. Dues and Lace arrive at the party, slowly pulling into Theia’s driveway and heading in. Lace notices Theia on the stairs and heads over to talk, meanwhile, Dues goes into the kitchen to help himself to a drink. In the process, he runs into Nyx instantly locking eye contact.
“Hey, Dues! You look so different! I haven’t seen you since we were like 16, how’ve you been?” asked Nyx.
“It’s been a while, I’ve been good just living and maintaining, and you look pretty exquisite. How’s everything been going for you?”
“Well, I’m heading back to Florida soon, I just came back to visit and tie up some loose ends. Burn a few bridges as well.”
“Well, if I ever left Cleveland I wouldn’t ever come back, but you said you had to burn some bridges, what do you mean by that?”
“Well, me and Sin got into a huge fight and to sum it up, I’m single now,” she said with a smile and a look of relief.
 “As long as you’re happy that’s all that matters right? Besides to be honest I never thought he was good for you, you deserve better.”
 “Thanks Dues, you always know what to say,” she said as she rested on his shoulder. Meanwhile, Lace is upstairs with Atheia in the bedroom. Suddenly there was a loud sound of glass shattering over the music downstairs. Zasalamel and Sin just crashed the party. Sin starts yelling for Nyx while knocking over vases and pictures, Zasalamel tells everyone to get out and breaks the stereo. Now in the dead silence you can hear the faint moans of Atheia, Zasalamel furious, races up the stairs. Meanwhile, Dues tells Nyx to stay in the kitchen as he runs out.
“Yo Dues! Where’s Nyx at? I know y’all used to be really close before I made her mine. Where is she at?” asked Sin. A commotion can be heard upstairs making Dues antic.
“Man Sin why don’t you get out of here with your bs! I don’t have time for you.” Dues tries running by him and up the stairs.
“You’re not going anywhere until you answer me!” Sin said grabbing and pushing him outside. They begin to scruffle ending up in the street, Nyx runs out telling them to stop, but suddenly Sin pulls out a gun. Dues leaps at Sin and they struggle for the gun. Nyx begins screaming for them to stop, a bloody knuckled Lace and frightened Atheia appear on the porch, Lace running to help his older brother but then…boom.
“Dues! Dues, wake up! You can’t fall asleep man you have to stay awake! Somebody help my brother is going to die!” said Lace.
“The sparks in the sky look lovely…” Dues thought to himself as the fireworks burst overhead, he looked at his brother one last time before losing consciousness. He regains it in the back of an ambulance, as he laid there he thought of how much he took life for granted before passing out once again. Awakening in a hospital bed Dues looks around to see Lace and Nyx at his side. Lace happy to see his brother alive, Nyx in tears of joy, and Dues smiling, taking a moment to cherish the life he lives and the people around him.