𝐬𝐤𝐚𝐢'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯

the bright lights of the studio flashed around me as i adjusted my pose, the soft hum of the camera shutter filling the air. nati and i were laughing, striking poses for the photographer, as the stylists fussed over our outfits. the shoot was for vogue—celebrating ten years since our debut anniversary as music artists.

it felt surreal to think that it had been years since we first started, but here we were. nati twirled beside me, and i couldn't help but laugh. 

"girl, you better enhance that elbow" i called out.

"like that mannequin in paris? bet." she teased back, flashing her signature grin. 

the photographer called for another pose, and we both turned, leaning into each other with effortless confidence. i always enjoyed doing promotional things with nati, it was much better than doing it by myself and that was something i missed from our rookie days, just doing everything together.

suddenly, the sound of nati's phone buzzing cut through the fun. she glanced at the screen. "it's my manager, i've gotta take this," she said, excusing herself with a quick wave before disappearing behind one of the backdrop curtains.

i watched her go, feeling the room settle into a quieter hum now that the energy was less frantic. just as i was about to step off the set, a staff member approached me, holding a beautiful bouquet of my favourite flowers.

"these are for you," she said with a smile, handing me the arrangement. my heart skipped a beat at the sight of them. they were my favourite—a bouquet of white roses.

"who sent these?" i asked, already suspecting the answer.

"there's a note," she replied before stepping away, leaving me with the flowers.

i set the bouquet down on a nearby table and carefully unfolded the card tucked inside. my breath caught in my throat as i read the familiar handwriting.

congratulations on your incredible journey, mama. i couldn't be prouder of the woman and artist you've become. you're unstoppable and this is just the beginning. all my love, your lover dani.

a smile tugged at the corners of my lips as i read the words over again, letting them sink in. dani always knew how to make me feel seen, even from a distance. 

i glanced around the room, my heart swelling with emotion. the craziness of the day faded away for just a second, leaving me wrapped in the warmth of her words. i held the note close to my chest, feeling blush cover my cheeks.

but before i could get lost in the sentiment, i remembered nati. she didn't know about dani, and given her history of not exactly vibing with her, i knew this wasn't the time for a grand reveal.

i quickly spotted one of the staff members. "hey, can you do me a favour?" i asked, trying to sound casual. "can you place these quickly in my dressing room?"

"of course," she nodded, taking the flowers. i watched her head toward the dressing rooms just as nati rounded the corner, back from her call.

"urg, i swear, my manager loves to stress me out," she sighed, shaking her head as she rejoined me.

"what happened?" i asked as i straightened myself.

"nothing serious, i just need to go back to london sooner than expected to reshoot some scenes," she explains,  stretching her arms lazily. "we're done, right?" 

i nodded. "just the interviews left."

"cool. let's knock that out so we can get drinks later. we need to us celebrate properly."

our interviews were smooth, the questions flowing easily as we reminisced about the early days. nati and i swapped stories about recording tracks in cramped studios and those sleepless nights spent crafting songs, full of excitement and hope. after we finished, nati leaned in, already scheming.

"let's hit up that spot we used to go to after our gigs. you know, for old times' sake."

"i'm down," i agreed, but my mind drifted to dani's flowers. i needed a quick moment alone before heading out with nati.

as soon as we wrapped up, i slipped away, making my way toward my dressing room. i reached for my phone the second i closed the door behind me and immediately dialled dani's number.

"hey," i whispered into the phone as soon as she picked up. "i just got your flowers."

her laugh came softly through the line. "i'm glad you like them mama."

"liked them? girl, i love them." i grinned, my heart warming just hearing her voice. "thank you so much for thinking of me, especially today."

"come on, baby, you know i'm always thinkin' of you," she teased, and i could picture the smirk on her face already forming.

i was about to respond when the door suddenly swung open. my heart stuttered, and i glanced up to see nati standing in the doorway, ready to leave. "hurry your ass up skai, you almost ready?" she asked, then her eyes flicked to the flowers sitting on the table.

a smirk curled on her lips. "oh? what's this?" she teased, her gaze lingering on the bouquet. "someone's got a secret admirer?"

before i could react, she was already reaching for the card. my heart dropped. everything happened so fast—too fast. nati pulled the card from its spot among the petals and read the note, her expression shifting from teasing to something else entirely. and just as the room grew unbearably tense, dani's voice filled the silence.

"who's that baby?" she asks innocently as i watched nati drop the card back onto the bouquet, shock clear on her face.

her eyes met mine, hurt flashing in them before the anger settled in. "so...you're dating dani, and when exactly were you going to tell me?"

i fumbled with my phone, scrambling for the right words. "it's natalie. dani, i'm going to have to call you back," i said quickly before ending the call. "nati, look—"

"all those times i asked you what was going on in your life and you just lied to my face?" she repeated, her voice sharp.

"yes, but natalie, i swear, i was going to tell you soon."

"really? and when was that, huh? when the whole world finds out? is that how little you think of me as your best friend?"

guilt knotted in my stomach, her words cutting deeper than i wanted to admit. "i know you're upset, but i also know that you're not fond of dani, and i didn't want to tell you yet."

nati folded her arms, her expression hardening. "why? because i'll ruin your little romantic fantasy?"

i couldn't help but frown, the tension rising between us. "honestly? yes. i knew you'd be negative about it all, and i didn't want to deal with that."

"how many years have we been friends, skai? seriously, answer the question." she stepped closer, her voice laced with hurt.

i looked away, feeling small under her intense gaze. "our whole lives," i whispered, the weight of it heavy in the room.

"exactly," she said, the anger in her voice evident. "by default, i'm always gonna be protective of you because you're my other half. but if you're happy, really happy, then i'd be content too."

i opened my mouth to speak, but she held up a hand, stopping me.

"clearly, our friendship doesn't mean that as much as it used to since you can't even share your happy news with me." her voice cracked slightly, and with that, she turned and walked out.

panic gripped me, and i rushed after her, desperate to fix the situation. just as we reached the hall, gio appeared, her timing almost too perfect as she looks at us cluelessly with her usual lopsided smile. nati stopped in her tracks, her eyes flicking between the two of us. 

"gio, did you know about skai and dani?" she asked, her voice cold and biting.

gio's face gave her away instantly, guilt written all over it. "nati, wait—" she tried, but it was no use.

nati's expression hardened even further. "wow. thank you so much for keeping me in the fucking loop about your lives."

she stormed off, and this time, i didn't follow. i watched as gio rushed after her, leaving me alone in the empty hallway.

***

natalie didn't show up to our planned dinner party to celebrate our debut. it's been two weeks since we last spoke and everyday dragged on. i have tried everything to reach her, texts, calls even emails and not a word. 

the days blurred together as i slipped into this quiet, depressive haze. at first i didn't leave my room for days, until my mom came to the rescue and i've been staying at my family home. so now i haven't left my childhood bedroom for days.

it felt strange not having nati around to talk to. she was my partner in crime in this chaotic journey of life, and we've gone through everything together. from the awkward first kisses in middle school to late-night writing sessions where we'd dream about the future. we were a team—always told each other everything, always had each other's backs. 

growing older meant we had our own separate lives now. that was inevitable. but sometimes it hurt knowing we weren't as inseparable as we used to be. we still made time for each other, but it wasn't the same. nati had her projects, i had mine. our bond is still as strong as ever, but this argument really solidified that we're adults now and sometimes we can't tell each other everything.

mom's voice pulled me from my thoughts as she approached me in the kitchen, as i stood lonesome away from the noise of the dining room. "don't worry, baby. i know that nati will come around eventually. she's just feeling a bit hurt right now."

even nati's mom had shown up tonight, in support of us, but she hadn't been able to convince nati to join. i felt like i was going through this breakup with my best friend, and nothing i did could make it right.

friendship heartbreak can sometimes feel worse than romantic heartbreak.

"i know," i whispered, my voice barely audible. "but i at least expected her to show her face here. this year marks our ten-year anniversary as a duo. i thought that meant something to her." i swallowed the lump in my throat as tears welled up in my eyes.

nati's mom, jennifer, stepped beside me, her voice soft but reassuring. "hey, mija, of course today means something to nati. what you both have created together is magical and one of a kind because it's rooted in sisterhood and friendship. being here probably makes it harder for her but that doesn't erase how much she cares about you."

"exactly," my mom chimed in. "she'll get over it, and you two will be back to your usual selves in no time."

my voice cracked as i asked, "are you sure she'll ever forgive me?" i felt the tears spill over, hot and relentless. jennifer cupped my face gently, always a second mom to me.

"i don't think you guys can live without each other," she said softly, and my mom chuckled behind her.

"honestly, and i thought we were stuck to the hip," mom added, laughter lightening the heavy air. jennifer laughed along with her.

"your mom and i have had worse arguments, and we're still here. this is nothing," nati's mom reassured me.

"if you say so," i mumbled, but their warmth was enough to ease some of the tightness in my chest. both moms pulled me into a group hug, squashing me between them like they were trying to squeeze the sadness out of me. it was comforting, even if just for a moment.

before i could fully sink into the embrace, my dad appeared in the doorway, raising an eyebrow. "seems like someone's here to see you, skai," he said.

i glanced back at my mom, who was smirking like she had some big secret.

"after seeing how down you've been all night, i may have invited someone who i knew would cheer you up," she said, that familiar gleam in her eyes.

curiosity peaked, and i followed dad down the hall. and then i saw her, dani, standing there, looking effortlessly cool and a little too good to be true. without thinking, i ran into her arms.

"dan dan! i thought you weren't in town!" i said, my voice muffled against her chest, but the joy in it was unmistakable.

"well, my mother-in-law and i have been gossipin' all week," she teased, pulling me tighter into her arms, "and after hearin' how sad you've been, how could i not be at your side?"

i pulled back slightly, looking up at her in disbelief. "you and my mom have been gossiping about me?" i asked, playfully swatting her chest.

"so i just did the most romantic thing and dropped everything for you, and that's all you registered?" she teased, her laugh light and infectious.

we both laughed, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the weight on my shoulders eased. i led her into the dining room, where my family, friends, and colleagues were deep in conversation, the atmosphere lively. introducing dani to everyone was a blur of smiles and handshakes.

brandy, grinned as she shook dani's hand. "so, i finally get to meet the person who's got skai smiling and checking her phone 24/7?" she teased, her laughter contagious.

"that's me, i guess," dani chuckled, sliding into the seat next to me after making sure i was comfortably tucked in first. her hand found mine under the table. i looked around at the people who loved me, who were here to celebrate this milestone, and felt the bittersweet tug of joy mixed with loss.

"even with all this, it just doesn't feel complete without her." i whispered, leaning over to dani. she reached slightly to kiss the top of my head softly. 

"she'll come around, baby. just give her time."

i nodded, hoping she was right, but the ache in my chest lingered like a shadow. sometimes, even in a room full of people, it's the ones who aren't there that you feel the most.

𓏲𝄢 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐮𝐲𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝!