xi. UNEXPECTED.
January 11, 2018. | Third Person POV.
Los Angeles, California.

The late afternoon sun filtered through the blinds of Sedona's kitchen, casting soft stripes of light across the countertop. She hummed along to the soulful voice of Faith Evans Soon as I Get Home, her favorite track off the singer's 1995 debut album Faith. The music floated through the air like a warm embrace, filling the space with nostalgia and comfort.

After spending a week in Atlanta with her mom and little brother, she was happy to be back in her own space in Los Angeles. There was something about home that made her feel grounded whether it was the neatly arranged spices on the counter, the art on the walls, or the slight chill in the air from her overly enthusiastic air conditioning.

Still, as much as she loved her space, the house felt quieter than usual. After the halftime show, Sedona opted to stay back for two days and spend time with family. Atlanta a whole had reminded her of the fullness of family, the sound of her brother's laughter and her mother's affectionate nagging. Back here, it was just her.

Trying to shake the feeling, she found herself pulling out mixing bowls and ingredients, a sudden urge to bake taking hold. Something sweet would help fill the silence, she decided. Maybe cookies? No, banana bread.

She set the butter out to soften, humming the bridge of the song as she measured out the sugar and flour. As she reached for the vanilla extract, her phone buzzed on the counter, its vibration startling her out of her rhythm.

She wiped her hands on a dish towel, glancing at the screen. The name flashing on it made her heart skip a beat: Kendrick. And it wasn't just a call—it was FaceTime.

She hesitated for just a moment before swiping to accept. The screen filled with Kendrick's face, slightly tilted as if he were adjusting the angle. He was lounging on a couch, a hoodie pulled over his head and a small smirk tugging at his lips.

"Yo," He greeted, his voice smooth as ever. "Didn't think you'd actually answer."

Sedona raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at her lips as she propped the phone against a stack of cookbooks. "Why wouldn't I answer? You FaceTimed me, didn't you?"

"True," He said with a chuckle. "But most people let it ring a bit, you know, act like they're busy."

She laughed softly, leaning against the counter. "Well, I'm not most people. What's up?"

The faint sound of music played in the background on his end. Kendrick shifted, resting his chin on his hand. "You back in L.A. yet?"

"Just got back yesterday," She answered with a shrug. "Why, you miss me already?"

"Maybe," Kendrick teased, his tone light but with an edge of honesty. "What you up to?"

"Baking," She replied, turning to check on the butter. "Or, well, about to. Banana bread."

"Banana bread, huh?" He repeated, leaning a little closer to the camera like he was inspecting her. "That your go-to?"

"It is today," Sedona mused with a grin. "Why, you got a problem with banana bread?"

"Nah," Kendrick said, the faint curve of a smile playing on his lips. "Just didn't picture you in the kitchen like that."

"Oh, I'm full of surprises," She said, unable to keep the teasing out of her voice. "I enjoy being in the kitchen thank you very much."

"Clearly," He replied, his tone making her stomach flutter in that unfamiliar, thrilling way.

For a moment, there was a comfortable silence between them, the kind that felt less like a gap and more like an invitation for something unspoken. Sedona busied herself arranging the ingredients, aware of his gaze even through the screen.

"So," Sedona began, glancing back at her phone, "You just FaceTimed to talk about banana bread? 'Cause I can go all in on my favorite recipe."

"Nah," Kendrick admitted, his lips twitching into a wider smile. "Wanted to check on you. Make sure you made it back alright."

His words caught her off guard, their sincerity making her chest tighten just slightly. "That's sweet of you," She said softly, leaning against the counter.

"Don't get used to it," Kendrick voiced, though the teasing note in his voice made her smile. "But yeah, I was thinking about that night at the Waffle House. Figured I should hit you up before it turns into another 'random encounter.'"

Sedona laughed, shaking her head. "Fair enough. Can't let logistics fail us, right?"

"Exactly," He said, leaning back on the couch. "Gotta keep it efficient."

She tilted her head slightly, propping her chin on her hand as she stared at the screen. "Well, now that you've checked in, what's next on your efficiency plan?"

Kendrick hesitated for a second, his expression softening just slightly. "Depends. You free tomorrow?"

Her brow lifted in surprise, though her voice stayed cool. "Why, you planning something?"

"Maybe," He said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "But only if you're free."

"I might be," Sedona dragged, playing along. "What's the plan?"

"Not telling," He replied, the cryptic note in his voice matched by the sparkle in his eyes. "Gotta keep the element of surprise."

She couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head. "Alright, Mr. Mysterious. I'll bite. What time?"

"I'll text you," He answered simply.

"Wow, keeping me on edge. Bold move," She teased. "Are you sure this isn't a date? Shouldn't you be busy, I don't know prepping for shit."

"Gotta keep you guessing," He said, his grin widening. "And this could be whatever you call it."

"Hm. But if I start interrogating you don't act too shocked."

They lingered on the call a little longer, the conversation flowing easily from music to travel to random anecdotes about their lives. Kendrick even made her laugh out loud a few times, the weight of the earlier quietness in her home lifting as they talked.

At one point, Sedona caught herself staring at his image on the screen longer than necessary, noticing the way his eyes lit up when he laughed and the easy way he seemed to hold himself, even over FaceTime and she could tell that he was an introvert yet talking was so easy. It was almost unnerving how natural it felt to talk to him like this.

Just as they were about to wrap up the call, the sound of her front door opening caught Sedona's attention. A moment later, Monica strolled into the kitchen, pausing in the doorway with a quizzical look on her face.

Kendrick caught the movement on the screen and raised an eyebrow. "Company?"

"Apparently," Sedona said with a laugh, giving Monica a side-eye.

Monica looked between Sedona and the phone propped up on the counter, the corner of her mouth twitching with amusement. "I'm not even going to ask," She states, shaking her head as she walks toward the fridge.

Kendrick chuckled on the other end of the call. "Smart move."

Sedona rolled her eyes, grinning. "Alright, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Bet," Kendrick said, the warmth in his voice unmistakable. "Later, Sedona."

As the call ended, Sedona picked up her phone and tucked it into her pocket, the lingering smile still on her lips. Monica closed the fridge, holding a bottle of water as she gave Sedona a knowing look.

"So," Monica started, her tone teasing. "Banana bread, huh?"

"Don't start," Sedona said with a laugh, turning back to her mixing bowls. "We're just friends."

"That's what they all say." But even as Monica teased her, Sedona couldn't help but feel that tomorrow was already shaping up to be an interesting day.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Eleven.
— １２／３１／２４
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Cheers to the end of 2024 and welcome to 2025. This is my final post until the new year arrives. I hope you've been enjoying the very consistent updates I've been giving for the entirety of this month. It is my gift to you. This year has been a rollercoaster and I do hope that the next year gives us a bit of hope. (Just a bit).

I would also like to say thank you to all the readers both old and new who's stuck with me through the many eras I've lived, the inactive behavior I've held for a few months back. Your support doesn't go unnoticed and I thank you.

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

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