𝐬𝐤𝐚𝐢'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯

did i cry myself to sleep? yes.

i woke up the next morning in my empty hotel room with puffy eyes and completely drained. i hated the tightness in my chest and the fatigue that plagued my body.

i already had a feeling that the whole situation wasn't going to work out in my favour; natalie had warned me so many times. but i didn't listen, instead, i let my heart foolishly lead, and now look where i am.

slowly, i rose from my curled position and got out of bed carefully since i felt weak in my legs. as i shuffled towards the bathroom, i saw the manifestation of my heartache in the mirror. i looked like shit.

i frowned weakly at myself before turning on the tap to splash some water on my face. i had a flight in the early afternoon and not much time left, so i tried to pick up the pace. after washing up, getting dressed, and packing my bags, i called reception to have my security collect my things.

the car ride made me feel slightly sick as my negative thoughts kept gnawing at my brain. i nestled my face into my hoodie further, as if to hide from something that was really coming from within me. sometimes i wish i could just detach from my brain, but that wouldn't make sense because then i'd be dead.

i slept the entire flight back to LA in an attempt to escape my thoughts. once i got home, brandy called to let me know i'd be taking a performance class with a professional trained in helping people get over stage trauma. after the call ended, i got a text from nati.

𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢🦋

hi princess im checking in how was travis' party? |

| horrible, i think me and dani had a "friendship" break up bruh

wdym?? y'all no longer cool? |

| yea after seeing her and jasmine together i just felt off ever since

| u was right i should have never entertained it bc i still got feelings for her

omg ru okay?? |

| no

can u come over? im in LA rn for a shoot so im home rn i was gonna ask u to come anyways |

| ok see u in a bit

i threw on a hoodie and headed out, not bothering with any makeup to hide my puffy eyes. the drive to natalie's house felt longer than usual, each passing street reminding me of the mess i was in. when i finally arrived, natalie opened the door with a concerned look on her face.

"come here," she said softly, pulling me into a tight hug.

"i don't know what to do, nati," i whispered, my voice breaking.

"let's get you inside first, then we'll figure it out," she replied, leading me to the couch.

i collapsed onto the cushions, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. natalie sat beside me, her hand resting on my shoulder.

"tell me everything," she said gently.

i took a deep breath and began recounting the events of the past few days, from the tiffany event to the argument with dani at travis' party and how we basically cut ties.

"i just can't get past it," i admitted, tears welling up again. "it's crazy that it's been four years and i still can't get over her, is that normal?"

natalie listened patiently, nodding and occasionally offering words of comfort. "it's okay to feel this way," she said. "i think sometimes we feel like we're healed until we have to face our triggers. you guys used to be stuck to the hip, and when you had that nasty breakup and went no contact, you lost more than a lover."

"i thought i could handle it, our friendship because we really were friends before, sometimes i wish that i can go back in time and stayed as her friend, but yet again i also don't regret dating because i am so fucking drawn to her." i confessed.

"i get it. it's hard when feelings are involved. but you need to focus on yourself right now," natalie advised. "take this time to figure out what you really want and need."

i nodded, wiping away the tears. "thanks, nati. i don't know what i'd do without you."

"you'll get through this," she assured me. "and remember, i'm always here for you."

we spent the rest of the afternoon talking and made nati laugh on her ass when i spoke about gio and i's chaotic night at the tiffany event. i did feel better as the evening went on and felt slightly hopeful.

when it got around to seven pm , i said goodbye to my best friend and drove silently back home. you know it's bad when you don't have music playing whilst driving. the sun was setting later since it was the beginning of summer, so it was casting a warm orange glow over the city as i navigated the familiar streets back to my place.

once inside, i kicked off my shoes and grabbed a bowl of popcorn, settled on the couch, and opened my laptop to watch a movie, hoping for a distraction.

about halfway through the movie, the doorbell rang. i paused, frowning. i glanced at the time and it read 10:38pm. it was late, and i wasn't expecting anyone.

reluctantly, i got up and checked the security footage on my phone. my heart skipped a beat when i saw dani standing there, looking downcast and lost.

i quickly went downstairs and opened the door. dani stood there, illuminated by the porch light, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and desperation.

"uh, your gate was left open you really need to be more careful when you get home." she whispered hoarsely and i stared at her in wilderness, unable to speak.

she looked up into my eyes, her expression vulnerable. her curly hair usually full of life was slightly dishevelled , and she wore a black hoodie that seemed to swallow her frame, making her look smaller and more vulnerable. her brown eyes were dimmer than usual, reflecting the turmoil inside her.

"skai," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "i need you."

without thinking, i stepped forward and hugged her tightly. her body trembled slightly against mine, and i could feel the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. her hands clung to my back, desperate and needy, and i held her closer, trying to absorb some of her pain.

we stood there for a few moments, wrapped in each other's arms, as the cool night air swirled around us.

"what's wrong?" i asked softly, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. her cheeks were wet with tears she hadn't bothered to wipe away. the amount of times i've seen dani cry was three times, including today.

"i need you right now," she repeated, her voice breaking as more tears spilled down her cheeks.

her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. i felt my heart clench, the raw honesty in her voice cutting through my own defences.

i wiped her tears away before we stared between each other's eyes. before i could respond, dani leaned in, her minty breath mingling with mine. the anticipation crackled between us , and then her lips met mine.

the kiss was soft at first, tentative, as if we were both testing the waters. her lips were warm and slightly salty from her tears, and the taste of her sadness mingled with the urgency of our need for each other.

i felt her hands move to my neck, pulling me closer, and i responded by wrapping my arms around her waist, drawing her in tightly. the kiss deepened, becoming more urgent and filled with longing. my tongue gently grazing hers. a muffled moan left both of our lips.

i felt her fingers weave through my hair, tugging slightly as she pulled me closer, her need to close the distance between us. my fingers digging into the soft fabric of her hoodie as i drew her in tighter, pressing our bodies together. the warmth of her body against mine was electrifying, contrasting the cool night air that surrounded us.

the kiss deepened, becoming more fervent, more demanding. her lips parted, and i took the opportunity to explore the heat of her mouth, our tongues meeting in a slow, deliberate dance. it was intoxicating, the way our breaths mingled, the way her soft sighs reverberated through me like a spark setting off a fire. every brush of her tongue against mine sent a jolt of desire through me, and i responded with equal intensity, matching her movements.

dani's hands travelled from my hair down to my shoulders, her touch both tender and possessive, as if she was anchoring herself to me.

i could feel the tremor in her fingers, the urgency in the way she held on to me, as if letting go wasn't an option. she pressed herself closer, her body melting into mine, and i felt the heat of her skin even through the layers of our clothes, before returning her hand back to my neck.

my hands roamed from her waist up to her back, tracing the curve of her spine as i pulled her even closer, deepening the kiss. i could feel her heartbeat, fast and erratic, matching the rhythm of my own. the world around us faded into oblivion; there was only this—this moment, this connection, this kiss.

as the kiss grew more intense, it became harder to breathe, but neither of us was willing to break away. our lips moved together in a frantic, passionate rhythm, the taste of her tears now replaced by something sweeter, something more intoxicating.

we end up walking backwards until my back hits the door frame. i could feel the desperation in her kiss, the need to feel, to connect, to forget whatever had brought her to my doorstep in the first place.

when we finally broke apart, both of us were breathless, our chests heaving as we tried to catch our breath. our foreheads rested against each other, and i could feel her warm breath against my lips, still mingling with mine. her eyes fluttered open, and the vulnerability in her gaze struck me to my core. we didn't need to say anything—the kiss had spoken louder than words ever could.

"i'm breaking up with jasmine."

𓏲𝄢 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝!