[Center][h2]Dakota Rhett[/h2]
[sub]November 29th - Late Morning[/sub]
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Having finally decided on his meal for the day, Dakota didn't hesitate to plop down and get to munching. He found himself slightly more aware of himself making a potential mess after his encounter with Jin, taking more caution to not leave a mess behind. Meal time was best time, or at least that's what he'd usually say with his bandmates. Currently alone at a table, it left a sort of emptiness to his meal that he hadn't felt before things started going downhill. He didn't exactly have people he hung out with now, he just kind ofSpent his spare time by himself. His mind wandered to how he used to go out a lot more, be a lot more active. Now that drive wasn't there, or a good reason to do anything, he found himself a lot more stagnant. Which was a mixture of infuriating, and saddening. 

The lack of eventfulness came to an end with a [url=https://youtu.be/NKdtDx1a9pU]ringing from his phone,[/url] the young man sliding his mobile device out of his pocket with a light lean to gain access to his pocket, before answering it with a look of visible uncertainty, as most people who'd call him knew he'd be in class around now. "Hello?" 

[b]"How's it going, bro?"[/b] A voice asked, from the other end of the line.

"Micki!" Dakota exclaimed, a smile on his face. "Just at lunch, man. Things around here are a damn bummer." He answered as he placed one elbow on the table, laying his head on his palm. 

A small laugh came from Micki as a response. "Brutal, man!" The laugh quickly halted, however. "Things have been an absolute drag for me, too. That's kinda what I was calling you about, bro."

Eyebrow raising, Dakota questioned this. "Eh? What's up, Mick?"

"It's the band, man." Micki responded, tone a little down. 

Eyes widening, Dakota's head lifted from his palm and he straightened up a bit. "The band? What, things going under?" He fearfully asked. Despite his lack of involvement, that didn't mean he wanted the others to fall flat on their asses. 

Micki scoffed. "Nah, bro. We're getting higher profile shows." He said, matter-of-factly. "The thing is, we're taking a lot less gigs than before. Mel says going for bigger shows is better for the band, but I just haven't been making enough money since we started passing on the small jobs."

"Wouldn't they pay more? What's the deal?" Dakota asked, confused.

"It's Miranda, man." Micki paused, realizing how casually he said it. "-- The replacement singer Mel picked up, y'know?" A slightly startled noise came from the man as he put together how rude it was to mention that to Dakota of all people. "S-Sorry, ah-"

"It's fine, man." Dakota answered, tone souring somewhat though he tried to hide it. He knew he was getting replaced, obviously, and from stalking the band's activity in general he already knew about the female vocalist they chose. It wasn't groundbreaking news, or anything. "Anyhow, how's she causing your profits to go down?"

"Hell, it's not that our profits are goin' down, she's just taking a bigger cut! And Mel is entirely okay with it, too!" Micki's tone expressed he was upset, for sure. "He keeps saying it'll work out for us and we'll be raking in cash soon, but I can't live off the scraps I'm getting now. He told me it'll just be a little longer, but..." A deep sigh escaped the young man, before he presented Dakota with question: "Look, man. Can I borrow some cash?"

Dakota frowned. So this is why he actually got a call. "I don't know, bro. I'm not exactly swimming in money, I've got my own expenses." 

"I know, man. I already asked your mum, and she thought it'd be better for me to ask you, though!" Micki's voice sounded desperate.

Dakota's expression darkened at what he heard, however. He momentarily fell silent, before simply repeating: "Asked [i]my[/i] mom?"

The panic from Micki could be felt through the phone. "I know, man, I know. But we all go way back, so I thought--"

"When did you ask her?" Dakota's question was quickly answered without Micki's help, as multiple text messages started flooding in.

"-- Like, a minute before calling you..." Micki admitted, defeat in his voice.

Ignoring the messages for the moment, Dakota felt a deep frustration bubbling in his veins. He was already given enough hell about the whole band decision to begin with, now his old bandmates were asking not only him, but his [i]parents[/i] for money? Micky wasn't a bad guy, but he possibly caught Dakota in a bad situation and at a bad time. He already had enough judgement coming his way, this was just going to make it worse. 

Gripping his phone tightly, he spoke in a very simple manner. "I can't help you, Mick."

Micki was less angry, more saddened by the news, mainly about what he'd have to do now. "Yeah, bro, I understand. Sorry if I caused a mess, this is just not the best situation, y'know?"

"Tell Mel to get his head out of his ass," Dakota responded, irritation leaking through. "Whatever dumbass idea he has, it won't work if he ends up losing half his band over bad financial decisions. You've got to look after yourself first, you know?"

"I know," Micki responded, lowly. "I know."

Taking the phone from his ear and glancing down at it, Dakota wasn't sure if he could carry the conversation further. Looking at the time, he realized he had an excuse, at least. "Sorry, Mick. I've gotta get to my next class. I hope things work out for you."

"Me too." 

A little small talk for a goodbye later and Dakota was able to hang up the phone. He instantly put it away, not wanting to see whatever his ma had sent. She was surely pissed, and he didn't want to handle that right now. He couldn't, he'd end up making an ass of himself. His morale sunk, realizing he turned down the first request he'd gotten from a bandmate since the split. But on the other hand, he felt angry that such a request came to him: He was the one that lost out in this whole situation, it wasn't his fault Mel couldn't keep his head on straight. But a part of him still felt guilt for not lending a hand to a friend in need, even if he really couldn't afford to do so. 

Frustrated, he scooped up his trash and went to dump it. He'd probably not be able to focus (Not that he did all the time anyways,) on his classes, but that didn't mean he should stop going entirely. He'd made enough of an ass out of himself for one day with multiple people, so he'd get back on track. Or try to. Hell, not that it probably mattered either way. Not like any job he'd get out of Uni was going to give him any satisfaction.

Extremely disgruntled, he silently marched off to his next class, a clear scowl on his face.