xviii. SEE, IT'S THERAPY.
January 19, 2018. | Third Person POV.
Los Angeles, California.

The soft hum of the sound machine filled the room, mingling with the faint scent of lavender that always lingered in Dr. Garcia's office. Sedona adjusted her position on the plush couch, her legs crossed at the ankle, her hands resting on the edge of a small throw pillow. Across from her, Dr. Marisol Garcia sat in a high-backed chair, her leather notebook balanced on her knee. With her warm brown eyes and ever-calm demeanor, Dr. Garcia had a way of creating a sanctuary of safety in which Sedona could untangle her thoughts. 

"It's been three months," Dr. Garcia said with a small smile, her pen poised above the notebook. "I was starting to think you'd forgotten about me." 

Sedona chuckled, her fingers absently toying with the hem of her sweater. "I could never. Life's just been... a lot." 

Dr. Garcia tilted her head slightly, a gentle invitation to elaborate. "A lot in a good way, or a bad way?" 

"A little bit of both," Sedona admitted, her voice a mix of exhaustion and amusement. "I don't even know where to start." 

Dr. Garcia tapped her pen lightly against the notebook. "Why don't we start with what's been on your mind the most? Work, life, relationships?" 

Sedona leaned back against the couch, exhaling deeply. "Alright, let's see... I guess it all started when I decided to take a solo trip to Jamaica in November. It was just me, the beach, and my thoughts. No obligations, no noise—just stillness." 

"How was that for you?" Dr. Garcia asked, her voice soft. 

"It was everything I needed," Sedona replied, her tone thoughtful. "I didn't realize how much I'd been running on empty until I got there. That trip taught me how to slow down, to just... exist without feeling like I had to prove something. For the first time in a long time, I felt like me." 

Dr. Garcia's lips curled into an approving smile. "That's a big step. Did you feel like you carried that peace with you when you returned?" 

Sedona let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Not for long. Life picked up the moment I got back. Work deadlines, studio sessions, events... And then there was the TDE New Year's party in December." 

Dr. Garcia raised a brow. "Tell me about the party." 

Sedona's eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and embarrassment. "I wasn't even planning on going. My manager Monica practically dragged me there, saying it'd be good for networking. I went in with the worst attitude—like, arms crossed, face scowling, the whole thing." 

Dr. Garcia chuckled softly. "Sounds like you were resisting the idea of having a good time." 

"Oh, completely," Sedona said with a grin. "And then, of course, I bumped into Kendrick Lamar. Literally bumped into him. And I was... let's just say, less than friendly." 

"Less than friendly?" 

"I was a total bitch," Sedona admitted, laughing despite herself. "I had no idea who he was at first. I mean, I knew of him, obviously, but I wasn't paying attention. I brushed him off, gave him a look, and walked away like he didn't exist." 

Dr. Garcia tilted her head thoughtfully. "And how did he respond to that?" 

Sedona's smile softened. "That's the crazy part. He wasn't offended. He just... smiled. Like he was amused or something. I kept running into him throughout the night—pure coincidence—and eventually, we started talking. He was surprisingly down-to-earth. Chill. Not what I expected at all." 

"What did you talk about?" 

"Everything and nothing," Sedona said, her gaze distant as she remembered. "Music, life, the industry. It felt... easy. Like we were on the same wavelength. And then, the next day, we ran into each other again at a studio. Totally unplanned." 

"Two coincidences," Dr. Garcia said with a raised brow. "That must've felt significant." 

"It did," Sedona admitted. "And it kept happening. We'd cross paths at events, or I'd hear from a mutual connection that he'd just been where I was. After a few days of that, he asked for my number." 

"And you gave it to him." 

"I did," Sedona said, smiling shyly. "We started talking—texting, calling. It wasn't anything deep at first, just casual conversations. But then... we went out. Not officially a date, but it kind of felt like one." 

Dr. Garcia jotted down a note. "How did that feel for you?" 

"It felt... nice," Sedona said, her voice quiet. "We went to this little spot for bowling, somewhere low-key. He made me laugh. A lot. I wasn't expecting to feel so comfortable with him, especially so soon. And then, a few nights ago..." 

She hesitated, her fingers tightening around the pillow. 

Dr. Garcia leaned forward slightly. "What happened?" 

Sedona exhaled, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "He dropped me off at my place after we'd been hanging out. We were standing by my front door, just talking, and... it happened. Or almost happened." 

"What almost happened?" 

"We almost kissed," Sedona admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was one of those moments where everything just slows down, and you know it's about to happen. But then my neighbor Malik interrupted us, by having one of his night runs." 

Dr. Garcia's expression was empathetic. "How did that make you feel?" 

"Frustrated, honestly," Sedona said with a laugh. "But also relieved. I think I needed that moment to not happen, at least not yet. It made me realize... I might actually like him. And that scares me." 

"Why does it scare you?" 

"Because it's only been a few weeks," Sedona said, her voice trembling slightly. "And I've been through so much already. I'm scared of getting hurt again, of letting someone in only to have them leave once they've gotten what they wanted." 

Dr. Garcia's voice was calm and steady. "It's natural to feel that way, Sedona. Vulnerability is always a risk, but it can also be rewarding. What does your gut tell you about Kendrick?" 

Sedona thought for a moment, her fingers brushing against her curls. "He feels... safe. Like I can just be myself around him. But I don't want to rush anything. I need to be sure." 

"And that's okay," Dr. Garcia said gently. "Take your time. Trust yourself, and remember that you're allowed to let someone in at your own pace. You've done so much work on yourself, Sedona. You deserve happiness—whether that's with Kendrick or someone else." 

Sedona nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thanks, Dr. G. I think I just needed to say it all out loud." 

Dr. Garcia smiled warmly. "That's what I'm here for. Keep listening to your instincts, and don't be afraid to take a leap when it feels right." 

As Sedona left the office that day, her mind was a swirl of emotions—fear, excitement, hope. She didn't have all the answers yet, but for the first time in a long time, she felt ready to embrace whatever came next.

The crisp winter air hit Sedona as she stepped out of Dr. Garcia's office, the session lingering in her mind. She adjusted her scarf and pulled her coat tighter around her frame. The streets were bustling, the sound of car horns and chatter filling the air, but Sedona felt oddly at peace. Her talk with Dr. Garcia had given her clarity, though it also left her with questions she didn't quite have answers to yet.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket, scrolling absentmindedly through her notifications as she walked. Monica had texted her three times, each message more urgent than the last.

Monica: Don't forget about the fitting at 3.
Monica: Call me ASAP. There's a change to next week's schedule.
Monica: Seriously, Sedona. Pick up your damn phone.

Sedona smiled to herself, shaking her head. Monica had always been a force of nature, and Sedona loved her for it. But today, she wasn't in the mood to jump back into the chaos of her career just yet.

Instead of calling back, she headed to her favorite café a few blocks away. It was a small, cozy spot tucked between a bookstore and a flower shop. The kind of place where she could sit in the corner, sip her coffee, and feel invisible for a little while.

Inside, the aroma of freshly brewed espresso and baked goods greeted her. She ordered a chai latte and found a seat by the window, letting the warmth of the mug seep into her hands.

As she stared out at the bustling street, her mind drifted back to Kendrick. She couldn't help but smile as she thought about him—the way he'd laughed at her sarcasm, how patient he'd been when she was less than pleasant at the TDE party, and the way his eyes seemed to light up whenever she spoke about something she was passionate about.

And then there was that night. Standing on her doorstep, the air heavy with unspoken words and something electric between them. She could still feel the way her heart had raced when he leaned in, their faces inches apart. It wasn't just attraction—it was something deeper, something she hadn't felt in a long time.

She shook her head, taking a sip of her latte. "Get it together, Sedona," she muttered to herself. She didn't have time to get lost in feelings she wasn't sure she was ready for.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Eighteen.
— ０１／１１／２５
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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.

Shout out to PRINCESCUMSOUP and fruity pebbles. I'll admit that it's actually good now but still hate cause why tf not.

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

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