iii. SO MUCH FOR NEW YEARS.
January 2, 2018. | Third Person POV.
West Holiday, California.

One thing about traffic in California is that it's unavoidable specifically in Los Angeles since it was bustling with the life of those belonging to talent and success. The mixture of both cool and warm weather had those clutching onto the fabric they wore or simply great that they didn't wear a coat. Chatter was loud, energy was potent and within the midst of it all, slowly a sleek black SUV crept toward the entrance of a bar called Or Bar. Multiple cameras with their photographers pointed still as they waited for the person or inside to exit.

Once the car neared its arrival at the bar, Sedona was quick to turn on Do Not Disturb and stop replying to messages altogether. They'll see her when they see her. She was going to be at the party until her social battery died—that's what she's been repeatedly telling herself, so she was going to make use of the little time that was given to her. Even though she remained sat within the SUV, she could still hear the loud clattering of camera flashes going off followed by reporters trying to get a glimpse of the invited stars that entered inside.

Sedona took one last look at herself through her compact mirror, shutting it and taking a deep breath. As she exhaled, she shook off her nerves. "Here goes nothing."

The cool air brushed against her cheek, with her bodyguard Willie helped her out of the vehicle. Taking note of the paparazzi that stalked outside, Sedona could only hurry inside, she didn't mess with the paparazzi and hopefully, they didn't mess with her.

An all-black door with gold world stylized in retro-esc lettering simply told an untold story; Or. Swiftly opening the door in front of her, Sedona soon became captured by the essence that was the Or Bar. The muffled sounds of singing and music became apparent and clearer as she got closer and closer to where I'd be held. The clinking of drinks and chattering surrounded her from every direction to where it felt almost suffocating.

Even then she couldn't help but grow entranced by the bar and its decor. It was all too good to be true. During the day, Or Bar acted as a coworking space and coffee bar, serving up iced chai lattes and frothy cappuccinos over a slew of conversations. Once 4 p.m. hits, office hours are over and the party soon begins. Or Bar transforms into a reimagined disco club where you can dance until your feet fall off to various '70s, ʼ80s, and ʼ90s anthems until the sun crept. It was the place to be.

Feeling the need to get a drink to help lessen her nerves, Sedona sat on the barstool. Pursing her lips together, she quickly thinks of a drink she might enjoy and not regret in the morning. "Uh, hi, can I get a Mint julep?" She calls out to the bartender who nods and slightly begins to prepare her drink. It was a cocktail, with a little bit of bourbon, mint, and syrup—she enjoyed it mainly because it had mint. Enjoyed mint-flavored anything. Even the ice cream.

"Willie, would you like anything?" She asks her bodyguard to which he shakes his head no. He still was on the clock nonetheless.

Soon enough a glass filled with a light yellowish liquid was slid in her direction. Cupping the glass in her hand, she took a few sips which resulted in her sighing in contentment. She needed this. It wasn't too strong and the syrup put an ease to the bourbon flavor.

Her eyes darted around the venue hoping to at least see someone familiar. While saying hi to those who greeted her soon enough, she located a 5'7 rapper gathered with a few more people. Whispering something intangible to Willie, Sedona crossed the floor to greet them while the DJ scratched the tape and This Is How We Do It by Montell Jordan began playing.

"Q!" Sedona waved with a warm smile. Standing before her was none other than Schoolboy Q. They've known each other for about a year or so, having met at an award show.

Her voice grabbed ahold of his attention and he flashed her his signature smile. "Oh shit, Syd," He greets her, pulling her into a warm embrace.

Sedona wrapped her arms around him for a brief moment before eventually pulling away.

"It's been a hot minute since I've seen you," Q chuckled, adjusting his blue cap. "Last time I checked you were in Jamaica. How have you been, Sedona?"

"I'm good, and feeling better than ever."

He shrugged. "On some real shit, I'm just glad to make it to the next year." Shouldn't we all? Life is a gift nonetheless. "2018 is the year of blessings. Trust."

"No doubt," Sedona agreed, "So what's up with you? I saw that Twitter post of you mentioning your boo. Congrats."

"Yeah." Q couldn't help but smile slightly. "I'm off the market until otherwise." He pointed over his right shoulder, directing it to someone behind him.

Turning her head to the left, she looked past Q and spotted a woman. She didn't recognize the woman but she looked as though she could have been a model. With a curvaceous yet fit figure and toffee skin, the woman appeared to have been about 5'8. With her hair styled into a bone-straight updo, she appeared to be engaging in a conversation with someone. 

"Where did you find her? She's stunning." Sedona admits and she couldn't help but admire the other woman down to her smooth legs and red bottom heels.

Q nodded. "XXL magazine. She was the interviewer and immediately got my ass in check."

The mystery woman turned upon sensing eyes on her and upon that her dark eyes locked with Sedona's for a moment, and eventually excused herself from the conversation and made her way towards her.

A brow quirked and she looked to Q. "She's coming over here." She whispered. "And it's because I think she noticed how long I've been staring."

"Don't worry about it, she doesn't bite." He reassured, wrapping his free arm around the woman's waist as she stood next to him. "What's up, baby?"

The woman could only smile as Q placed a kiss on her cheek. He turned his focus back to Sedona. "This is Jasmine." He introduced the woman who stood beside him. "My girlfriend."

Jasmine held out her hand to Sedona and they shook hands with one another. "It's so nice to finally meet you," She said with her smile only growing wider, "Big fan."

Sedona nodded and smiled. "Wow, thank you." Both women eventually started a conversation which in the end kicked Q out of it since it was "girl talk" leaving him on the sidelines. Eventually, Sedona parted ways and continued her journey within the club.

The bar pulsated with music and low lighting. The bass reverberates through the floor as people pack the dance floor and bar together. Sedona weaves through the crowd, trying to make their way to the other side, when—bam—she bumps into someone, nearly stumbling backward. It didn't help that she had heels on either.

The collision felt like she'd been slammed into a wall, and the drink in her hand sloshing dangerously too close to spilling. Before she could steady themselves, a strong hand wrapped around her forearm, pulling her upright.

"Damn." A smooth, baritone voice spoke, there was a strong lingering cadence that reminded her of what you'd hear from a man born in the state of California. Even so, it held an edge of teasing as it asked. "You good?"

Sedona could only blink, stepping back to see the face of the stranger—a slightly shorter, confident-appearing man with a sharp stare that had her almost wanting to challenge it. There's the quirking of a brow as he waited for her to at least acknowledge the act and yet she just stood there. His other hand rested lightly on her shoulder, steadying her.

"I'm fine," Sedona snapped, upon realizing that she was staring. Even then she eyed his face underneath the dull incandescent light and realized who it was. Standing before her in the flesh was Kendrick Lamar. Even then she feigned obliviousness and opted to pretend as if she had no idea who he was. In a sense, she did—musically. "You could've just moved out of the way since I didn't see you."

Kendrick raised an eyebrow, clearly more amused than offended. "Me? You're the one who damn near broke an ankle by the way you was walking."

"My ankle's fine," Sedona shot back, planting a hand on her hip. "If you weren't in my way none of this would've happened."

Kendrick honestly should've walked away and called it a day but instead, he only tilts his head. "Your way? I could've sworn you bumped into me."

"Maybe if you weren't in my way—"

"You still talking about me being in your way when it's the opposite." He interrupts. "Just accept that you suck ass at paying attention."

Sedona huffed. "I don't have time for this."

Kendrick raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Listen, my bad for being... in your way if that makes you feel better."

"So he apologies," Sedona sarcastically mutters, crossing her arms not before finishing her drink. "My hero."

Sedona doesn't know why she's entertaining this conversation altogether. She knew that he was getting under her skin and he knew it too. Finally, she broke free from the shackles of their conversation and steadily found herself wanting to go to the bar to refill.

"You're welcome."

"Sure." Was all Sedona said before walking away and even then she fought the urge to smile at the ridiculousness of it all. Did she waste her time arguing with him?

As she made her way to the bar, Sedona let out a relieved sigh once she saw SZA. Turns out SZA was more than happy because by the time Sedona made her way over to the singer, she was quick to pull her into a hug.

"Girl, where the fuck have you been?!?" Shouts SZA over the loud music.

"I should be asking you the same thing!" She responded.

Sedona loved her some SZA—at this point who didn't? Both women considered each other as friends, respected one another as the artists they were and if given the time would show out and proudly.

Soon enough both women found themselves, standing outside the upper deck of the bar. With another glass of Mint julep in her hand Sedona engaged in a feeling of gossiping. "Now you know we gotta catch up! First things first how was Jamaica?"

"Jamaica was amazing. It felt great being back there after so long, spent the holidays with the family, got a bit of sun and the beach. Already missing it." Sedona sighed which only earned laughter from SZA.

"It had to be 'cause for the past three months you've been a ghost and I mean ghost. I don't blame you though, shit, I would too."

"But can we talk about the album? You did that and I'm so, so, so proud of you—and you're nominated at the Grammys!" Sedona remembered when she got the call from SZA screaming in excitement with the news that she'd gotten nominated, with words of congratulations led them into sobbing from the overwhelming feeling of happiness. This was a really big thing especially since Ctrl was continuously reaching new heights. Sedona was even in the studio during some sessions watching her work on the body of work that it is now. Her being proud is an understatement.

"I know, I still can't believe it." She humbly states. "Grammy-nominated that sounds crazy, to be honest."

"Which you deserve. You busted your ass off to make Ctrl."

"You're about to make me cry when I'm supposed to be having fun." She dramatically fans her eyes, until stopping as she looks in the crowd for a certain someone. "But, besides that, there's someone I want you to officially meet since it's kinda strange how you guys haven't met yet."

Sedona raised a brow, curious. "Who?"

As if on cue, Kendrick appears and all it took was for SZA to call him over.

Ain't no way. Sedona thought to herself, forcing a smirk across her lips as the rapper made his way over to where she stood. The one face they didn't want to see tonight.

"Hey—oh?" There was an evident feeling of surprise in his words which soon turned into neutrality.

Sedona could only blink, her mouth falling slack as it opened slightly. "You've got to be kidding me."

"You two already know each other?" SZA asked, looking back and forth between them. "And you didn't tell me?"

"Oh, we've met," Sedona answered sharply. "We... bumped into each other. Total accident."

SZA blinked innocently before snapping her fingers in realization. "So you're the chick that almost fell to her ass? Somebody was talking about it a while ago."

"Could you be anymore louder?" Sedona whisper yelled only to receive a chorus of muffled laughter from Kendrick.

"Well—" SZA's attention was directed to someone who was calling her name. "Oh! I know you're gonna kill me later for this but I'll be right back—just try to not kill each other while I'm gone!" She disappeared into the crowd, leaving the two of them alone.

Feeling his intense gaze on her Sedona crossed her arms. "Okay, this is really awkward so if you got something to say, say it."

"Listen, I come in peace." He held up his hands in mock surrender but didn't stop smiling. "How about we start over? Hi, I'm Kendrick Lamar."

Sedona, who knew she couldn't keep up this facade any longer nods. "Sedona."

Despite her vague annoyance, Sedona found herself biting back a small smile. Kendrick was impossible, something she's never encountered but he was also... oddly charming.

"Well, Kendrick," She said, raising an eyebrow. "If we're starting over, rule number one: no more bumping into each other."

He hummed in agreement, leaning against the metal railing. "You ain't had to tell me twice. It's not every time I can save you from falling on your ass."

Sedona rolled her eyes, but this time, the smile broke through. "Don't start." Maybe this night wasn't a total disaster after all.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Three.
— １２／１９／２４
———————
This chapter was beating my ass. I was fighting for my life to figure out a way to finish this without it feeling rushed and keep it cohesive so you guys wouldn't end up confused. Okay I based Kendrick's personality from the interviews I've watched, he's really goofy and hilarious behind the scenes and I wanted to incorporate that in a sense. I hope I did y'all justice.

Thoughts on the chapter! And what do you expect for the next one?

Stay tuned for the next chapter, & til next time!
- shea