Chapter 42 - summer

june. 

The worst part about being stuck is when summer vacations roll around... vacations that in other times would be enjoyed at the beach or by the pool. But now, under the relentless summer sun, only a few people witness the almost mass exodus of some members from the prisons.

There's a penitentiary system that establishes many obvious rules about how inmates' sentences should be. Firstly, the limit for a minor's sentence is 1 year; however, for special cases, an extension of an extra 6 months can be imposed. A person can be released for good behavior 3 months before their sentence ends. In cases of overcrowding, those who are close to completing their sentence will be released first, as well as those incarcerated for non-violent crimes.

Secondly, those in legal limbo, eighteen years old, who commit a crime, will be treated as an exemplary punishment at the correctional facility for adults and will serve community service until they turn 19. However, after 20 years, they are penalized with an adult prison.

-There won't be a concert today; the heat is so intense I feel like I'm melting, - said Billy, doing exercises on the bar. The heat was hitting the basketball court hard; the temperature was at 39 degrees, according to the readings given by the security guards. Even in the shade, the suffocating heat didn't help to breathe; the sun's reflection was strong.

-We can cook eggs on the kerosene, it's relentless not being able to swim in the sea, - said Jimmy, carefully adjusting the dumbbell bars. He didn't deny that in the next few hours, they would exercise and exercise more.

-I can't believe Sam was the first to leave; he's a real-time bomb, - said Billy.

-He mentioned something about being a naval soldier to become your bodyguard. When you become famous, he hopes you'll invite him to all the parties with models. He even mentioned something about getting into boxing, -- said Fred, commenting on Sam's ironic words. -- The dwarf bodyguard will only cause you problems; you should hire someone like me, who can knock out adults at the age of 14, - said Fred.

-Meh, learn Krav Maga, how to use weapons and knives, and be dangerous as hell. I'll hire you, - said Billy, flexing his biceps.

Since he came to this correctional facility, he has become addicted to exercise. He had done everything possible to immerse himself in fitness culture, as he was explained: eating well, as well as the menus allowed, long periods of cardio, weights, core exercises... all to sustain the singing that was as demanding as a long-distance marathon.

Connor didn't like exercise; he rested against the cold wall, lost in his particular silences.

-I'll jog; see you in an hour and a half, - said Billy, twisting his tongue. His physical condition was remarkable; however, he only lasted nine minutes of continuous singing; with pauses, he could reach 23 minutes, but it was exhausting. A concert lasted two to three hours; even if he only opened, he had to have enough endurance to sing two or three songs without being exhausted by physical exertion.

Jimmy's grimace was enough to express the madness of jogging in the unbearable heat.

He grabbed a long white shirt and put it over his face, wetting it with a nearby tap. He placed it on his face... a stretch of 500 meters in the sun, an almost 700-meter stretch in the shade, another 300 meters in the shade, crossing the east wall, and having a kilometer in the shade. The only shaded wall made a total of 6 laps around the complex, under the mid-afternoon sun.

As he jogged, he began to consider his songs, singing them mentally as he did the rounds. Sometimes he repeated them mentally until he got tired of the song for a while.

He reached the bars and only found Connor sitting there. He took from the tap until he was rested. The good thing about doing these exercises was the nice tan he was starting to get; his body was adapted to the sun, giving him a surfer's tan. It made his blonde hair and hazel eyes, with a touch of green, look compact.

-You're still here, buddy, - said Billy, sitting next to Connor.

He didn't respond.

-What did the officer say? Do you have a release date yet? - Billy asked.

-August 12th, - said Connor.

-Have you called Jerry? - Billy inquired.

-No, - Connor replied.

-Call him if you still want to be my drummer, - Billy responded.

Connor nodded. For the next few minutes, they were in complete silence, bothering with nothing more than calmness. Connor was a person who only spoke when he intended to do so.

**************************************************************************Principio del formulario

The songs being premiered on the radio went unnoticed, however, one song stood out with enchanting lyrics, echoing a sense of rebellion. The voice of a teenager delivered not a crude or degrading rap but one that questioned, speaking about the opportunities a young person should have when expressing themselves through music. It was the only song on the singles list with discs, gradually gaining significant momentum in all corners of the United States.

-This song is the best crap I've ever heard, man, - said Rush, a rap fanatic.

As they listened to the powerful melody of "Lose Yourself" on Power 106 (KPWR-FM), it wasn't the only station. The song had many extras, such as quality lyrics, rhythm, and a voice cleaner than many rappers', with a more interpretative tone. Rap is characterized by two important things every rapper should have if they want to succeed: fast rhythm and established fluency (vocalization, flow, and cadence).

-Wednesday, I love that part, - said Rush's friend, Gus, trying to articulate the song, which was beginning to spread through the minds of young people and some adults who had been into rap their whole lives, just as they had since childhood.

In the radios of Boston, New York, covering the entire East Coast, and some small stations playing the songs, the song was more than just a song. It contained a certain meaning of personal empowerment that invited two reasons: the first reason to move the neck, and the second to jump with grace.

-Good afternoon, we're here in the afternoon 'Kisses for Everyone' on KIIS-FM. From your favorite songs of the day, give us your name to participate in the tickets for the concert scheduled for July 2, - said the radio station member.

-It's Gonna Be Me" - NSYNC, "I Want It That Way" - Backstreet Boys, and "Lose Yourself," - said the ticket contest participant. "I'm Jaden Brown, a pleasure to hear Kiss radio. -

-Very good, very good, the third song. I'm not aware of a song called Love Yourself?" -said the radio host.

-Well, I have no idea who the singer is, but it's a bomb that's been playing hard this past month, it's the trend, man, - said the guy.

-Well... I have no idea; you got me there. Do you know what this kid's talking about? - said the host.

-That's why I don't like white boys, - Calcast mentioned emphatically, noting how the host wasn't giving due importance to the rap of interest. "It's Billy Carson's track, a bomb rap; let me play it for a while so you understand the importance of this artwork," Calcast said.

Calcast smiled, his teeth lighting up the room. The brief intro quickly garnered acceptance, at least for ten seconds, because that's how long it took to understand that the song was the one he had even sung on certain occasions, surprising himself each time with how good the song was.

-I think I get it now; it's a surprising song, - said the host, following the initial line.

-Hahaha, - Calcast laughed, understanding; it was just another thing he liked about this guy – he was funny when he was nervous.

-Well, that's the song... so let's proceed with the contest, - said Jaden.

-In a moment, buddy, we'll connect you with information, don't hang up. In the meantime, let's listen to 'Lose Yourself' from 'Kisses Radio'; we wish you all a happy week. Don't forget to call for free tickets; good luck, Jaden, - said the radio host.

Through the streets of New York, the air was filled with curiosity as people began to raise their radios to a song by a total unknown, no promotions, no ads, no singer, no interviews, no face... but the rap community is large. However, not many release a song like "Lose Yourself."

Snoop Dog smoked, unconcerned, with his characteristic delicacy, in a large circle, passing through with some friends, which ended up being more than two weeks, but he would return for some pending recording projects. At that moment, they played "Lose Yourself."

Snoop nodded.

-Damn, that's a tune, man, - said Snoop.

-You know, it sounds like Eminem, - said a friend.

-Is it Em's? - Snoop asked slowly.

-No, it's a new singer. Some guy named Billy Carson, - they replied.

...