xxxiv. ABOUT TIME.
February 1, 2018. | Third Person POV.
Los Angeles, California.

kendrick's pov.
Kendrick leaned back on his couch, his hoodie loose around his shoulders, legs stretched out. The TV was on, playing highlights of last night's game, but nobody in the room was really paying attention. Q was sitting across from him, rolling a blunt, while Ab scrolled aimlessly on his phone. Dave stood near the kitchen, sipping a cup of coffee, flipping through something on his iPad. Jay, meanwhile, was perched on the armrest of the loveseat, bouncing a basketball lightly against his knee.

The vibe was chill, just like most mornings. Kendrick grabbed his phone off the cushion beside him and scrolled through notifications. That's when her name popped up: Sedona calling.

He couldn't help but smirk as he hit accept. Her face immediately filled the screen, and Kendrick had to bite back the grin creeping on his face. "Yo, what's up?" He greeted casually, his voice still rough from the early hour.

Sedona twirled, showing off her outfit. "Guess who's about to have the hottest music video of the year?" She teased.

Kendrick leaned forward slightly, trying to get a better look. Her energy was infectious, even through the screen. "Damn. You ain't playin'."

"Wait until you see the choreography," She said, giving him a quick spin before tilting the camera back to her face. "This is gonna be the anthem for the summer. Just in time for the album drop."

"I ain't doubting you," Kendrick said, his voice steady but warm. His gaze lingered on her face through the screen. "You look good, D. They ain't ready."

"Appreciate it," She said, her voice softening. "Wish you were here to see it in person."

"Don't worry," He assured her, his tone low. "I'll catch it when you drop it. Handle business, though. I'll see you soon."

They said their goodbyes, and as Kendrick hung up, he let the phone rest on his chest for a second. There was a peacefulness to the exchange, something grounding about it that he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Hold up." Q's voice broke the silence in the room. He squinted at Kendrick, blunt still in hand. "Since when Sedona out here callin' your ass this early?"

Ab looked up from his phone, eyebrow raised. Even Dave glanced over from the kitchen, waiting for an answer. Jay caught the basketball in mid-bounce, his attention now fully on Kendrick.

Kendrick shrugged, keeping his expression cool, but the corner of his mouth twitched. "We made it official."

The room froze for a second.

"Official?" Jay echoed, setting the ball on the floor. "Like... y'all together?"

Kendrick nodded, finally letting a small smile break through. "Yeah. We takin' it slow, though."

Q blinked, then threw his hands up. "About damn time, nigga!"

Ab laughed, shaking his head. "Wow... looks like Dot is officially booed up."

Jay leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "That's solid, though. Sedona ain't no lightweight. You better come correct with her."

"Y'all actin' like it's some big deal," Kendrick said, though the amusement in his voice betrayed him.

"It is a big deal," Q shot back. "You been single forever. Nigga, we was startin' to think you married the studio."

Kendrick chuckled, leaning forward to grab his water bottle. He took a sip, letting the room settle before he continued. "We made it official after the Grammys," He said, his tone casual. "Nothin' crazy. Just takin' it slow, lettin' it come as it comes."

Dave walked over, setting his coffee down on the table. "What's different about her?" He asked, curiosity lacing his voice. "I mean, everyone knows you been solo for a minute now. What changed that?"

Kendrick leaned back again, his gaze thoughtful. He let the question hang in the air for a moment before answering. "She's sweet," he answered simply, voice steady. "Really sweet. She ain't like the rest, man. Sedona's just... real. She's grounded, knows who she is. And she's an amazing woman, period. Can't fake that."

The room went quiet for a second, the weight of his words settling in. Jay nodded slowly, his expression serious. "I feel that. You need somebody real in this shit. Good for you, bro."

Q finally broke the silence, smirking as he lit the blunt. "Well, shit. You right, that's Sedona. But let it be known that she plays no games."

Ab laughed. "Right? Dot out here soundin' like he just wrote a love poem."

Kendrick shook his head, chuckling at their antics, but there was no denying the truth in his words. Sedona was different. And for the first time in a long time, he felt like he could actually see something real coming out of it.

The conversation with the homies eventually fizzled out, replaced by jokes, laughter, and smoke filling the room. Kendrick let himself sink into the vibe for a while, appreciating the simplicity of it. These were his people—always had been, always would be. But even as they cracked jokes about the game or talked about music, his mind kept drifting back to Sedona.

By the time the sun started setting, everyone had cleared out. Q and Ab dipped first, leaving Dave and Jay to linger for a bit. They went over some upcoming studio sessions, tour plans, and a potential collaboration that Kendrick was still mulling over. Jay nodded along, offering his input here and there before finally calling it a day.

Once the house was empty, Kendrick was finally alone.

He sat in his living room, the quiet settling in around him like a familiar weight. Picking up his phone, he scrolled aimlessly for a few minutes before his thumb hovered over Sedona's name again. Without thinking too much about it, he hit FaceTime.

He sat in his living room, the quiet settling in around him like a familiar weight. Picking up his phone, he scrolled aimlessly for a few minutes before his thumb hovered over Sedona's name again. Without thinking too much about it, he hit FaceTime. 

She answered after a couple of rings, her face appearing on the screen. This time, her hair was down, and she looked more relaxed than she had earlier. 

"Hey," She said softly, her voice carrying that drowsy warmth that made Kendrick smile. 

"Hey," He replied, leaning back into the couch. "You good?" 

Sedona nodded, shifting the phone slightly as she curled deeper into her couch. "Yeah. Long day, though. We just wrapped up the last rehearsal. My legs are killing me." 

Kendrick chuckled. "Bet you killed it, though." 

"Always," Sedona teased, a tired smile tugging at her lips. "What about you? What'd you do today?" 

"Chilled with the homies for a bit," He said, keeping his tone light. "Talked some shit, watched the game." 

"Sounds like a good time," She murmured, her voice already starting to fade. 

Kendrick tilted his head, noticing how her eyes were blinking slower and slower. "You good, D? You sound like you halfway out already." 

"I'm fine," She mumbled, but the yawn that followed gave her away. "I just... I'm tired, but I wanted to answer. Didn't wanna miss your call." 

Kendrick's chest tightened at her words. She didn't have to say much, but somehow, her quiet gestures always said enough. 

"You ain't gotta do that," He said softly. "If you're tired, go ahead and sleep. I'll call you tomorrow." 

Sedona shook her head lightly, her eyes fluttering closed for a second before she forced them back open. "I'm fine. Just... talk to me for a little bit. I like your voice." 

Kendrick let out a low laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, alright. What you wanna talk about?" 

"Anything," Sedona murmured, her voice barely above a whisper now. "Just... keep talking." 

So he did. Kendrick told her about the conversation with the guys earlier, carefully leaving out the part where they grilled him about their relationship. He talked about the beats he'd been working on, the ideas floating around in his head for his next project. Every so often, Sedona would hum softly in response, her voice fading more and more with each sound. 

By the time he finished recounting a random memory from tour, she was quiet. The screen showed her face tilted to the side, her breathing slow and steady. 

"You out?" Kendrick asked softly, but he already knew the answer. 

For a moment, he just watched her sleep. It wasn't something he'd ever imagined himself doing, but there was something calming about it. She looked peaceful, her guard completely down, and it made him feel... grounded. 

"Goodnight, D," He murmured, his voice barely audible as he ended the call. 

Kendrick set his phone down, leaning back into the couch with a deep breath. The silence in the room felt different now—less empty, more full. It was like the echoes of her voice still lingered, wrapping around him like a warm blanket. 

He smiled to himself, shaking his head. Yeah, she was different. And that difference was starting to feel more and more like something he didn't want to let go of.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Thirty-four.
— ０１／２６／２５
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This app/website is still giving me trouble but I'm still going to try my best and give you something.

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

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