xiii. WAY TO KILL A MOOD.
January 13, 2018. | Third Person POV.
Los Angeles, California.

The following morning, Sedona sat at her kitchen counter with a mug of mint tea in hand, staring out the window at the sunlight streaming through the trees. She'd slept surprisingly well after the night with Kendrick, but her mind kept replaying snippets of their time together—the way his laugh sounded in the bowling alley, the way his gaze softened when he smiled at her at the end of the night.

Shaking her head, she took another sip of her tea. She wasn't sure what to make of the way Kendrick had been weaving his way into her thoughts lately. They'd spent enough time together now that it was more than just casual run-ins or playful banter. But still, there was a part of her holding back, unsure of where things were heading.

Her phone buzzed on the counter, snapping her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen and smiled when she saw the name.

Monica.

Sedona swiped to answer. "Morning, Monica," Sedona greeted, her voice warm as she cradled the mug in one hand.

"Good morning, Miss 'Bowling with Kendrick'!" Monica teased immediately, her tone dripping with mischief. "Don't even act like I don't know what's been going on."

Sedona rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the small laugh that escaped. "You don't know anything, Monica."

"Oh, please," Monica shot back. "I saw your little smile when you walked in last night. And don't think I didn't notice the way Kendrick was looking at you the other night when y'all were FaceTiming. So spill. How was it?"

Sedona sighed, setting her mug down and leaning her elbow on the counter. "It was... nice. Chill, you know? We went bowling."

"Bowling?" Monica repeated, clearly unimpressed. "That's it? Just bowling? No dinner, no romantic walks under the stars?"

Sedona laughed. "First of all, we did eat. Second of all, it wasn't some grand romantic date or anything. It was just fun."

"Uh-huh," Monica said, drawing the word out like she didn't believe a single thing Sedona was saying. "And how much fun are we talking? Did you beat him?"

"No," Sedona admitted, groaning slightly. "But it was close! And don't act like you're surprised—he's annoyingly good."

"I'm not surprised at all," Monica said with a chuckle. "But I'm also not here for the bowling updates. I'm here for your updates. So, what's the deal? You two have been spending a lot of time together."

Sedona hesitated, her finger tracing the rim of her coffee mug. "I don't know, Mon. It's... it's easy with him. He doesn't try too hard, but he's also not distant, you know? It's like he's just... there. In a good way."

"Hmm," Monica hummed, clearly deep in thought. "So, what's the problem?"

"There's no problem," Sedona said quickly before ultimately sighing. "I just... I don't know what it is yet. And I'm not trying to overthink it."

"That's fair," Monica said, her tone softening. "But Sedona, you know you're allowed to like someone, right? You don't have to have all the answers right away."

"I know," Sedona said quietly, her gaze drifting back to the sunlight outside. "I guess I just... I don't want to get caught up in something if it's not real. I've done enough of that with Marco."

Monica let out a thoughtful sigh. "That's understandable. But here's the thing: Kendrick doesn't strike me as the type to waste time on something that's not real. So maybe you shouldn't either."

Sedona chewed on that for a moment, the words settling into her chest. "You think so?"

"I know so," Monica said firmly. "And if he's out here planning cute little bowling nights, trust me, he's already invested. Men don't plan anything unless they care."

Sedona couldn't help but laugh at that. "You're ridiculous."

"I'm right, though," Monica countered. "Anyway, I'll let you get back to your mysterious morning musings or whatever you were doing. But don't overthink this, Sedona. Just enjoy it."

"I'll try," Sedona promised, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Mo."

"Anytime," Monica said. "And hey, next time, invite me to bowl. I need to see these 'skills' you keep talking about and possibly add the greatest bowler to my resume."

"Bye, Monica," Sedona said, laughing as she ended the call.

She set her phone down and picked up her tea again, staring out the window once more. Monica's words lingered in her mind, soft and reassuring. Maybe she didn't have to figure everything out right now. Maybe it was enough to just let things unfold.

As the sunlight danced across the counter, Sedona found herself smiling again. Whatever this was with Kendrick, it was starting to feel like something worth exploring.

Sedona left her kitchen feeling lighter after the call with Monica, her tea finished and her thoughts slightly more organized. She grabbed a bottle of Gatorade from the fridge before heading out the door, mentally preparing herself for a long session at the studio. The prospect of getting back into the creative zone always lifted her spirits, and today she felt even more energized—well, she had been until she walked through the studio lobby.

Marco.

Of all the days, of all the studios, he had to be here. Her steps faltered slightly as her ex turned, his gaze locking on hers. His usual confident smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth, the one that always seemed a little too self-assured.

"Sedona," He greets, his voice smooth and familiar as he leaned against the counter, holding a cup of what looked like green juice. "Fancy seeing you here."

She plastered on a polite smile, keeping her tone light. "Marco."

"Got a project in one of the other studios," He wondered, his eyes flickering over her like he was assessing her mood. "What about you? The new album?"

"Something like that," She replied curtly, not wanting to give him more than she had to. She adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder, gripping her Gatorade tighter than necessary.

He tilted his head, his smirk deepening. "You look good."

Her stomach clenched slightly, but she didn't let it show. "Thanks," She answered simply, already stepping past him.

"Hey, wait," Marco called, making her pause. She turned halfway, her gaze guarded.

"What is it, Marco?"

"Just thought it was ironic, you know?" he said with a slight chuckle. "We're both here to work on Love Lies. Seems like fate, doesn't it?"

Sedona's jaw tightened, but she forced herself to stay calm. She'd almost forgotten that today was the day she was supposed to record her remaining vocals for the duet track they'd recorded weeks ago. At the time, it had felt like a great idea—a collaboration between two artists with undeniable chemistry. That was before things between them had unraveled.

"Fate," She echoed flatly, giving him a pointed look. "Right."

He shrugged, as though her reaction didn't faze him. "Guess I'll see you in there."

Sedona didn't bother responding, turning on her heel and making her way down the hallway to her designated studio. The familiar space was her sanctuary, the place where she could lose herself in the music, but today it felt slightly tainted by the prospect of working on a track with Marco again. She'd been dreading this moment, knowing it would force her to confront some of the emotions she'd worked so hard to bury.

"Hey, Sedona!" Her producer, Trina, greeted her warmly as she walked in. The room was filled with the soft hum of equipment and the faint strains of an instrumental track playing through the speakers.

"Hey, Trina," Sedona replied, managing a small smile. She set her bag down and unscrewed the cap of her fruit punch-flavored beverage, taking a sip before glancing at the screen. "We're still finishing Love Lies, right?"

"Yep," Trina confirmed, tapping a few keys on her laptop. "Just need to get those last harmonies and some ad-libs. Shouldn't take long."

Sedona nodded, slipping on her headphones and stepping into the booth. As the opening chords of the track filled her ears, she closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the music.

It was a beautiful song, she couldn't deny that—an intimate ballad about love and want, the kind of track that felt painfully close to home now. She could still remember the way Marco had looked at her during their first recording session, the way his voice had intertwined with hers so seamlessly. If they were on better terms, it would've felt like magic. Now, it felt like a bittersweet reminder of what could've been.

"Alright, let's start with the harmonies," Trina's voice crackled through the headphones. "Whenever you're ready."

Sedona took a deep breath, steadying herself before diving into the vocals. Her voice was steady and clear, each note hitting its mark as she layered her harmonies over Marco's lead. For a moment, she lost herself in the music, her frustrations melting away as she focused on the melody.

"Perfect," Trina said after a few takes. "Now let's get some of those ad-libs. Feel free to play around with it."

Sedona nodded, letting the emotions of the song guide her as she added soft runs and whispers, her voice weaving through the instrumental like a thread. By the time she stepped out of the booth, she felt lighter, as though she'd exorcised some of the lingering tension in her chest.

"You killed it," Trina said with a grin, giving her a thumbs-up. "I think we're good to go."

"Thanks," Sedona replied, pulling off her headphones and setting them on the counter.

Just as she was packing up, the door opened, and Marco stepped inside. He raised an eyebrow, glancing between her and Trina. "Done already?"

"Yep," Sedona said briskly, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "It's all yours."

Marco's smirk returned, but he didn't say anything as she brushed past him, her steps quick and purposeful. As soon as she was back in the hallway, she exhaled deeply, willing herself to shake off the lingering unease.

She wouldn't let Marco ruin her day. Not when she had so much to look forward to—and so much to protect.

Later that day, Sedona found herself back at her condo, curled up on her couch with her laptop balanced on her knees. The session at the studio had been exhausting, but she'd pushed through, leaving Marco and all the tension that came with him behind. Now, all she wanted was peace, and as if the universe could sense her need for comfort, her phone buzzed with a FaceTime call.

It was Kendrick.

Her lips curled into a smile as she propped her phone up on the coffee table and accepted the call. His face filled the screen, wearing a gray hoodie, his usual calm demeanor radiating through the camera.

"What's up, superstar?" Kendrick greeted, his voice warm and teasing.

"Hey, Kenny," She said softly, settling into the cushions. Just hearing his voice made her shoulders relax. "What are you up to?"

"Studio run. Same old," He replied, leaning back in his chair. "But I had a feeling you might need a little pick-me-up today."

She tilted her head, her smile widening. "Oh? And what makes you think that?"

"Call it intuition," He said with a knowing smirk. "But something about you screams, 'I had to deal with some unnecessary bullshit today.'"

Sedona laughed, shaking her head. "You're not wrong. Let's just say certain people from my past have a way of popping up when I least need them to."

Kendrick's expression shifted, his brows furrowing slightly. "Marco?"

She nodded, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Yep. Ran into him at the studio. Had to finish up some work on Love Lies."

Kendrick didn't say anything for a moment, his jaw tightening slightly. "You good?"

"I am now," She assured him. "It wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. Just annoying as hell."

"Good," He said, his voice steady. "Because you don't need to let that nigga mess with your vibe. You're too good for that."

Her chest warmed at his words, and for a moment, she just looked at him, grateful for his steady presence. "Thanks, Kenny. I needed to hear that."

"Anytime," He said rather simply. Then, his lips curved into a playful grin. "So, you free tonight? I was thinking we could grab something to eat. Something low-key."

Sedona's smile returned. "Sounds perfect 'cause I'm about to die of boredom."

That evening, Kendrick picked Sedona up in his black Mercedes Benz, dressed casually in a flannel shirt and jeans. Sedona had opted for a simple yet chic outfit—a fitted black sweater and high-waisted jeans that hugged her curves just right.

As they drove through the city, the tension of the day melted away, replaced by the easy conversation and laughter that always seemed to flow between them. By the time they reached the small, hole-in-the-wall taco spot Kendrick had suggested, Sedona felt completely at ease.
By the time they reached the small, hole-in-the-wall taco spot Kendrick had suggested, Sedona was feeling completely at ease. The smell of freshly grilled carne asada and spiced tortillas wafted through the air as they ordered at the counter. While waiting for their food, Kendrick leaned casually against the counter, flashing her a grin.

Sharing knowing looks and chuckles was the thing as they waited for their food. When they finally sat down at a booth near the window, the conversation shifted to music, life, and everything in between.

"By the way," Sedona said, a teasing edge to her tone, "I finally got a chance to listen to All The Stars. You didn't tell me it was going to be that good."

Kendrick's eyes lit up with a mixture of pride and surprise. "Oh yeah? You vibing with it?"

"Vibing with it?" She repeated, rolling her eyes playfully. "It's a dope track, Kenny. Like, next-level good. You and Sol did your thing on that one. I can't stop replaying it."

His grin widened, and he shook his head slightly. "Appreciate that, D. I wasn't sure if it'd be your style."

Sedona gave him a mock-serious look. "Don't underestimate my taste. I like good music, and that's good music."

As their order was called, Kendrick grabbed the tray and carried it over to their booth, the sound of tacos unwrapping and diving into the food with the kind of enthusiasm reserved for truly great meals.

Between bites of carne asada tacos and sips of horchata, their conversation turned deeper, touching on music, life, and the uncertainty of the future.

"You ever think about what's next?" Kendrick asked, his voice low as he wiped his hands with a napkin.

"All the time," Sedona admitted, her fingers playing with the edge of her plate. "Getting back into music has been good, though. It feels like I'm reclaiming this part of me I almost forgot about. But I'm still figuring it out."

He nodded thoughtfully. "You're in a good place, D. Don't let anybody rush you. Do it your way."

His words hung in the air, grounding her. She smiled at him, warmth spreading through her chest. "Thanks, Kenny. You always know what to say."

He shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I just speak facts."

The night passed in a blur of conversation, and by the time they arrived back at Sedona's condo, the city was quiet, the hum of traffic distant and soft. Kendrick walked her to her door, his hands tucked into his pockets as he leaned casually against the frame.

"Thanks for tonight," She said softly, leaning against the door.

"Anytime," He replied, his voice low. "You know I got you."

For a moment, neither of them moved. Sedona looked at him, her gaze locking onto his. There was something unspoken between them, something that had been simmering for weeks, and now it felt closer than ever to spilling over.

Kendrick took a half-step forward, his hand lightly brushing against her cheek, and Sedona found herself leaning into him, her heart racing. Their faces were just inches apart, his gaze flicking to her lips as if silently asking for permission. Her hand rested on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her palm.

Just as the air between them thickened, footsteps echoed down the sidewalk. A man in a sweat-soaked shirt and basketball shorts jogged past, his wireless headphones glowing in the dim light. "Oh, hey, Sedona!" He called out casually, barely slowing his pace as he waved and disappeared around the corner.

Kendrick exhaled sharply, his lips quirking into an amused smile as he stepped back, breaking the tension. "Guess the universe had other plans," He muttered.

Sedona couldn't help but laugh, covering her face with her hand. "You've got to be kidding me. That's Malik, my neighbor. He runs at the weirdest hours."

Kendrick chuckled, shaking his head. "Timing's everything, huh?"

"Clearly," She said, still laughing, though a part of her felt slightly disappointed. When her laughter subsided, she met his gaze again, her smile softening. "Goodnight, Kenny."

"Goodnight, D," He said, his voice low and steady as his thumb brushed lightly against her jaw before he turned to leave.

As Sedona watched him leave the driveway, her heart felt full. Even with the interruption, the moment between them lingered, a quiet promise of something real. For the first time in a long time, she was ready to embrace it, wherever it might lead.

As she watched him walk down the hallway, her heart felt full in a way it hadn't in a long time. Whatever this was, it felt real. And for the first time in a long time, Sedona was ready to embrace it.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Thirteen.
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Happy New Year! May 2025 be filled with blessings, wealth, good health, and all your troubles be put away. I have good faith in this year and hope it can only grow.

Malik just had to ruin what could've been something. We all have that one neighbor that pops up at random time.

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

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