xxvi. JEWELS & SEQUINS.
January 26, 2018. | Third Person POV.
New York City, New York.

After a late-night brainstorming session and some much-needed rest, Sedona stirred awake the next morning around 4:30 a.m. She rolled out of bed, still feeling the weight of her conversation with Kendrick from the previous day. With her itinerary in mind, she quickly freshened up, slipping into a casual outfit since she had rehearsals. As she prepared to leave she came to the realization as to how ravenous she felt. Monica handed her a protein bar on her way out, but Sedona craved something more substantial. She pulled her cap back on, slung her bag over her shoulder, and texted Kendrick.

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 5:25 AM

Sedona
Tired. Hungry. Before I dip what's good downstairs?

The response came almost instantly.

Kenny
Meet me in the lobby in 15. Breakfast is still going on.

Sedona chuckled, shoving her phone into her bag and heading toward the car waiting to take her back to the hotel. Making sure to let Monica know that she's grabbing something for breakfast, Sedona wasn't sure what the day held next, but if breakfast with Kendrick was the start, she figured it was already looking up.

By five a.m., she was downstairs in the Ritz-Carlton's lavish dining area, where the smell of freshly brewed coffee and buttery pastries filled the air.

As Sedona walked in, she immediately spotted Kendrick sitting at a table in the corner with his signature laid-back demeanor, sipping on what looked like coffee. He was dressed in a crisp white tee and joggers, with a fitted cap tilted slightly backward. Their eyes met, and a subtle smirk spread across his face.

"Morning, superstar," Kendrick greeted as she slid into the seat across from him.

"Good morning," Sedona teased, grabbing a piece of toast from the basket in the center of the table.

They exchanged small talk, mostly about their schedules for the day. Kendrick was heading to a quick soundcheck for an upcoming show, while Sedona mentioned her having to be at rehearsals and fittings with Jules.

"You ready for this Grammy thing?" Kendrick asked, his eyes searching hers as he took another sip of his coffee.

"Let's just say I'm bracing myself," Sedona replied with a chuckle. "It feels like a lot. Nina has me feeling like I entered boot camp with this choreo and we just started yesterday. And Jules has this whole vision for my look, so at least I'll be cute while I'm overwhelmed."

Kendrick laughed softly, shaking his head. "You got this. Just be you, and the rest will fall into place."

Their conversation flowed effortlessly until Sedona glanced at her phone and realized it was almost 5:30. Jules had also sent her a text confirming the meeting at the designer's studio across town.

"I gotta jet," She said, standing up and slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Monica is gonna kill me if I'm late."

Kendrick nodded, his smirk widening. "Don't keep your fairy godmother waiting. I'll see you later, though."

Sedona grabbed a croissant for the road, gave him a quick wave, and headed out.

Sedona stepped onto the expansive studio room, squinting slightly as the bright overhead lights illuminated the rehearsal area. It was quiet except for the low hum of sound technicians and the muffled laughter of her dancers warming up. She tugged the brim of her "Inglewood" cap lower, trying to wake herself up fully as she sipped from a bottle of water. 

"Alright, Sedona, we don't have all day. Let's run this from the top," Monica called out from somewhere near the sound booth. Even at six in the morning, her voice carried with an intensity that could startle anyone into motion. "We need it sharp. It's the Grammys. No room for slip-ups." 

Sedona sighed, adjusting the mic in her hand. "Good morning to you, too," She muttered under her breath with a smirk before stepping forward. 

She glanced at Nina, the choreographer, who nodded and signaled the music to start. The intro of her song pulsed through the speakers, and Sedona felt her body instinctively move to the rhythm. The dancers behind her mirrored her steps, their energy already palpable even at this ungodly hour. 

"Five, six, seven, eight!" Nina counted, her voice cutting through the beat. Sedona swayed her hips and transitioned smoothly into the footwork. Her movements felt a little sluggish at first—blame the lack of sleep—but the more she leaned into it, the easier it became. She couldn't help but grin as the male dancers added a playful flair to one of the sequences, spinning before sliding back into formation. 

"You're still a beat behind on the bridge," Monica called out sharply. "And I want more energy in the chorus. This isn't a rehearsal for some lounge act. Give it everything you've got." 

Sedona rolled her eyes but complied, throwing more of herself into the performance. By the third run-through, sweat glistened on her skin, and her cropped pink top clung to her. Despite the grueling pace, she started to feel the magic of the performance take shape. 

"Better!" Monica shouted after another take. "Still not perfect, but better. We'll work on the lighting cues next." 

As the music paused, Sedona grabbed a towel from the edge of the stage and dabbed at her face. "You know, Monica, for someone who never actually performs, you sure have a lot of opinions." 

Monica arched a brow from where she stood, arms crossed. "I have opinions because as your manager it's my job to make sure you're not looking a mess. Now, do it again." 

The dancers groaned in unison, and Sedona stifled a laugh. She loved them, but Monica's relentless drive was the reason they'd made it this far. 

Just as they reset for another run-through, her phone buzzed on the edge of the stage. She glanced at the screen and saw a message from Kendrick.

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 8:15 AM

Kenny 🤭
U killing it at rehearsals? Or y'all still half asleep over there?

She smiled, shaking her head, and quickly typed back:

Sedona
Half asleep, but at least I showed up. Don't bomb your run-through.

Sliding her phone into her pocket, she noticed Monica's glare. "Eyes on the prize, Sedona. Kendrick can wait," Monica said, not even trying to hide her smirk. 

"I didn't say it was Kendrick," Sedona quipped, earning a round of laughter from the dancers. 

As they moved through the choreography one last time, Sedona felt herself relax into the routine. The combination of precision, artistry, and a touch of Carnival-inspired flair made the performance feel uniquely hers.

Sedona was changed into something way less sweaty and headed toward the private car waiting outside to take her to Jules' studio. As she slid into the backseat, she pulled out her phone and scrolled through a series of texts Jules had sent her overnight—ideas for dresses, sketches, and color palettes.

Once at the studio, Jules greeted her with a wide smile and a clipboard in hand. "Girl, you're here! Okay, we've got a lot to do and not a lot of time, so let's dive in."

Sedona laughed, shaking her head as Jules ushered her into the fitting area. The racks were lined with stunning gowns, ranging from sleek and simple to elaborate and dramatic. "You weren't kidding about having a million ideas on top of that what we originally did."

"This is just the short list," Jules said, grinning.

For the next few hours, Sedona tried on dress after dress, giving feedback while Jules fussed over every detail—the fit, the fabric, the way it moved. Sedona's favorite so far was a deep black gown-like with intricate fabric detail that favored her silhouette under the lights.

"This one," She said, twirling in front of the mirror. "This feels right."

"It's a contender," Jules agreed, jotting notes on her clipboard. "But let's keep going. We've got options, and we need backup just in case. Besides, we still have the fit your outfit for the performance."

Sedona stood in front of a large mirror in Jules' studio, the sunlight streaming through the tall windows and bouncing off the dozens of shimmering jewels being meticulously sewn into her custom bustier. She was surrounded by racks of fabric, sketches pinned to corkboards, and a team of assistants scurrying around, holding up potential accessories and heels. Jules, her trusted stylist and designer, circled her with a discerning eye, pinning and adjusting the garment to perfection.

"Hold still, babe," Jules said, leaning in close as she secured a jewel. "You flinch, and you might end up with more than just sparkle on this bustier."

"I'd hold still if you weren't stabbing me every five seconds," Sedona teased, wincing slightly as another pin grazed her side.

"You want to be the best-dressed at the Grammys or not? Beauty is pain, darling," Jules quipped, stepping back to admire her work. "Besides, once you hit that red carpet, no one's going to remember the pokes. They'll only see the perfection."

Sedona let out a soft laugh, glancing down at the intricate design. The bustier was encrusted with jewels that caught the light in every angle, perfectly paired with an intricately detailed pants. It was bold, glamorous, and unapologetically her.

"I'll admit, you outdid yourself, Jules," Sedona began, turning slightly to admire the look. "But are we sure it's not too much? I don't want to look like a disco ball."

Jules gasped dramatically. "Sedona, too much doesn't exist in the world of the Grammys. Trust me, this is iconic. And besides," She smirked, "You need something that will make Mr. Kendrick's jaw drop when he sees you."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the faint smile that crept onto her face. "You're ridiculous."

Jules waved off her comment, clapping her hands to signal to her team. "All right, let's do a quick change into Look Two. I'm thinking we go full femme fatale for the afterparty. You're going to need something that says, 'Yes, I look this good all the time.'"

As the assistants helped Sedona out of the bustier, she sighed in relief. "I'm already tired just thinking about the Grammys. The fittings, the press, the red carpet... and then there's the fact that I have to be on my A-game all night."

Jules arched a brow. "Honey, you've got this. You're opening for one of the biggest tours of the year, you've got an album people can't stop talking about despite it coming out two years ago, songs from that album is nominated for Grammys and now you're walking the carpet as Kendrick's date? This is your moment. Own it."

She nodded slowly, letting his words sink in. Despite her usual confidence, the weight of everything—the attention, the expectations—sometimes felt overwhelming. But she reminded herself why she was here. This was what she worked for.

As Jules adjusted the next outfit, Sedona glanced at her phone to check the time. It was already approaching noon, and the day showed no signs of slowing down. She had interviews later, followed by a soundcheck. Still, she couldn't help but feel a small thrill at how everything was coming together.

"So," Jules said, breaking her thoughts, "What are you and Kendrick planning for the afterparty? Matching looks? Coordinated dance moves? Come on, give me the tea."

Sedona laughed, shaking her head. "Jules, stop. We're just going to the Grammys together. That's it. No need to turn this into some grand love story."

Well not now at least.

"Uh-huh," Jules replied, unconvinced, as he zipped up the next gown. "We'll see about that."

Sedona didn't respond, but as she caught her reflection in the mirror, a tiny, knowing smile tugged at her lips. Maybe Jules wasn't entirely wrong.

By the time they wrapped up, Sedona was exhausted but excited. Jules promised to make final adjustments and have the dress ready for another fitting in a couple of days.

As Sedona left the studio, she checked her phone to see a text from Kendrick: How's the fitting going? Or are you buried under a pile of dresses?

She smirked, typing back: Don't start.

Jules who'd been walking by couldn't help but have a knowing grin spread across her lips. "They like each other." She muttered.

Sedona didn't deny it. Instead, she tucked her phone away, her lips curving into a small, secretive smile. Maybe Jules was onto something after all.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Twenty-six.
— ０１／１８／２５
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Listen y'all can deal with the tension up until the big moment that we've all been waiting for. The wait is worth it.

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

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