lxvi. LADIES NIGHT.
March 18, 2018. | Third Person POV.
Los Angeles, California.

Sedona's living room was a sea of pinks, whites, and reds, the hues bouncing off the soft golden light that illuminated the space. Satin pillows were scattered across the floor, plush blankets draped over the couches, and an elaborate charcuterie board sat on the coffee table, piled high with cheeses, fruits, and chocolates. Mimosas flowed freely, the champagne glasses clinking as laughter filled the air. 

Tonight was strictly for the girls—no interruptions, no obligations, no men allowed. 

SZA was stretched out on the floor, her long curls spilling over a pink satin pillow as she scrolled through her phone. "Did y'all see the mess going down on Twitter today? These folks got way too much time on their hands." 

Jasmine raised her glass, her nails perfectly manicured in a shade of blush pink. "Always. It's like they just be waitin' to start somethin'." 

Sedona laughed, sinking deeper into her couch, a fluffy white blanket draped over her lap. "I swear, people just be lookin' for drama." She took a long sip of her mimosa, her eyes sparkling with amusement. 

Solange was perched on the armrest, her legs crossed gracefully as she sipped her drink. "Speaking of drama... what's the tea with you and Kendrick? That Valentines post was mad cute." 

Sedona's cheeks flushed, and she rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool. "Ain't no tea. We good. Real good, actually." 

Jasmine smirked. "Good, huh? You sure that's all it is?" 

Sedona threw a pillow at her, laughing. "Mind ya business!" 

Jasmine dodged the pillow easily, cackling. "Girl, you glowing. I know that look. You in love, huh?" 

Sedona tried to suppress her smile but failed miserably. "Maybe... yeah. I am." 

The room erupted in excited squeals, the girls leaning in closer, eager for more details. 

SZA could only shoot her a knowing look. "It's as serious as it gets."

Sedona shrugged, her expression softening. "Yeah... it is. I didn't even see it comin'. But he just... he just get me, you know? Like, he see me for who I really am. Ain't never had that before." 

Solange smiled knowingly. "That's rare. Hold on to that." 

Sedona nodded, her heart feeling full. "I am. I really am." 

They clinked their glasses together, toasting to love, laughter, and friendship. As they took long sips, the conversation shifted, each of them sharing stories, gossiping about the industry, and catching up on life. 

One of Sedona's homegirls from Atlanta, Amanda leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Okay, okay, I got a story for y'all. But y'all gotta promise not to judge me." 

They all leaned in, their curiosity piqued. 

She took a deep breath, launching into a wild tale about a date gone wrong, the room filling with laughter as she recounted every hilarious detail. They were in stitches by the end, tears of laughter streaming down their faces. 

As the night went on, the stories got crazier, the gossip juicier. But then Sedona's expression shifted, her gaze becoming distant. 

Jasmine noticed immediately. "Hey... you good?" 

Sedona snapped out of her thoughts, her fingers absentmindedly swirling the liquid in her glass. "Yeah... I just... Y'all ever think back on some old shit and realize how blind you were?" 

Solange tilted her head, curiosity written all over her face. "What you talkin' about?" 

Sedona sighed, setting her glass down. "I was thinkin' about that fool I used to mess with... not Marco, the other one." 

Amanda's eyebrows shot up. "Oh shit, I forgot about him. What about him?" 

Sedona leaned back, her expression a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "Y'all ain't never gone believe this. Turns out this nigga was using me as his alibi." 

The room went silent, all eyes locked on her. 

SZA's jaw dropped. "Hold up. What?" 

Sedona nodded, the memory still surreal. "I'm dead serious. I ain't find out 'til way later. He'd be tellin' people he was with me when he wasn't... whole time, this fool was out here robbin' niggas." 

Jasmine gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Girl, you lyin'!" 

Sedona shook her head, her eyes wide. "Nah. I'm dead serious. This one dude came up to me askin' if I was with him on this one night, talkin' 'bout he got robbed two hours earlier... I was like, 'Hell nah, I wasn't with him.' That's when I put two and two together." 

Solange's eyes were wide with shock. "That's... wild." 

SZA was still processing. "Wait, so he was using you as his cover story? That's some criminal mastermind shit." 

Sedona laughed, shaking her head. "I swear, I attract the craziest niggas." 

Jasmine leaned back, letting out a deep breath. "Girl, you dodged a bullet with that one. Thank God you outta that mess." 

Sedona nodded, relief washing over her. "Yeah... I ain't even realize how deep it was 'til after we broke up. He was always good at lyin'. Had me thinkin' he was just chillin' when he was really out here doin' dirt." 

SZA shook her head, disbelief written all over her face. "Niggas be wild, man. I'm glad you safe, though." 

Sedona smiled, her heart feeling lighter now that she'd shared the story. "Me too." 

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the story settling in. But then Jasmine broke the tension with a loud laugh. "I still can't believe that fool really tried to use you as an alibi. That's a whole new level of bold." 

Sedona laughed, nodding. "Right? I shoulda whooped his ass just off principle." 

The room erupted in laughter, the heavy moment replaced with lighthearted humor. They spent the rest of the night reminiscing about past relationships, sharing horror stories, and hyping each other up. 

As the hours went by, the drinks continued to flow, and the music grew louder. They danced around the living room, singing at the top of their lungs, their voices blending together in harmony. 

It was a night of laughter, love, and sisterhood—a night meant just for them. 

Sedona leaned back into the couch, her fingers absentmindedly swirling her mimosa as she stared at the ceiling. A soft, almost disbelieving laugh escaped her lips.

Jasmine glanced over, her curiosity piqued. "What's funny?"

Sedona shook her head, her eyes wide with wonder. "I'm really 'bout to be twenty-eight."

Solange's lips curved into a smile. "Yep. Big girl age. How you feelin'?"

Sedona exhaled, her shoulders dropping as she processed the reality. "It's crazy... I still feel like I'm twenty-two sometimes. Like, how the hell am I pushin' thirty?"

SZA laughed, nudging her with her elbow. "Girl, I feel you. I still be lookin' around for an adult when shit gets real... then I remember I am the adult."

Sedona covered her mouth as she laughed, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Exactly! Like, I'm somebody's role model now. People out here lookin' up to me. Little girls writin' me letters and shit... and I still be out here feelin' like a kid myself."

Jasmine leaned back, her gaze softening. "You've done a lot, though. Hell, you accomplished more before twenty-eight than most people do in a lifetime."

Sedona's expression softened, her eyes growing distant. "Yeah... I just never thought it'd be like this. Back when I was a kid, I used to dream about being this big star, thinkin' my life would be perfect once I made it. But... it's hard sometimes. Lonely, even."

Solange's eyes were empathetic, understanding the weight of fame all too well. "It's a lot to carry. But you got us. You got people who love you."

Sedona smiled, gratitude filling her chest. "I know. And I appreciate y'all. More than y'all even know."

Jasmine leaned in, a mischievous glint in her eye. "So... how you feelin' about Kendrick bein' there for the big two-eight?"

Sedona's cheeks flushed, a shy smile playing on her lips. "I'm excited... nervous, too. He's been plannin' somethin' but won't tell me a damn thing. Just keep tellin' me to 'be ready.'"

SZA's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Ooh, that man got somethin' big planned. I know he do. He don't play 'bout you."

Sedona's heart fluttered, warmth spreading through her chest. "Yeah... he don't. I still can't believe how everything fell into place. Like... all the shit I went through before him... I used to think I wasn't gonna find this type of love. But now? It just... it feel right."

Solange smiled, her voice soft. "That's how you know it's real. When it feel easy... when it feel like home."

Sedona's eyes grew misty, her emotions bubbling to the surface. "Yeah... he feel like home."

The room fell silent, each of them taking in the weight of her words. But then Jasmine clapped her hands, breaking the emotional tension. "Alright, enough of this sentimental shit. We celebratin' tonight!"

Sedona burst out laughing, wiping the corner of her eyes. "You right. No tears tonight. Only good vibes."

SZA lifted her glass, her voice loud and playful. "To Sedona! The baddest, most talented, and realest one in the game. Happy almost birthday, sis!"

They all raised their glasses, their voices blending together as they shouted, "Happy almost birthday!"

Sedona beamed, her heart swelling with love. Twenty-eight was just around the corner... and for the first time in a long time, she was genuinely excited for what was next.

The music's bass thumped softly in the background, blending seamlessly with the chatter and laughter echoing through Sedona's living room. Plates of half-eaten food and nearly empty glasses of mimosas were scattered around, evidence of a night well spent. 

Sedona curled up on the couch, hugging a plush pillow to her chest as she watched her friends laugh and joke. The warmth radiating from them filled the room, reminding her of just how blessed she was. 

Solange stood up, stretching before moving to the speaker. She scrolled through the playlist, her face lighting up as she found the perfect song. Moments later, the nostalgic beat of Aaliyah's "Rock the Boat" filled the room, prompting a collective cheer from everyone. 

"Oh, this my jam!" Jasmine yelled, jumping up and pulling SZA to her feet. They started swaying to the rhythm, their voices blending as they sang along. 

Sedona watched them with a smile before Solange grabbed her hand, yanking her off the couch. "C'mon, birthday girl! Get your ass up!" 

Sedona laughed, letting herself be dragged to the middle of the room. She closed her eyes, letting the music take over as she moved to the beat, her body swaying fluidly. 

They danced together, their laughter and off-key singing filling the space with life. It was in moments like this that Sedona felt the freest—surrounded by people who truly knew her, people who loved her just as she was. 

As the song faded, they all collapsed onto the couches, panting and laughing. SZA clutched her chest dramatically. "Bitch, I am not twenty-one no more. That shit took me out." 

They all burst into laughter, nodding in agreement. 

Jasmine caught her breath and turned to Sedona, her expression softening. "You really glowin', girl. I mean, you always been beautiful, but... it's different now. You just... you look happy." 

The room fell quiet as they looked at Sedona, waiting for her response. 

Sedona's gaze dropped, a shy smile playing on her lips. "I am happy... for the first time in a long time, I really am." 

Solange reached over, squeezing her hand. "You deserve it. Every bit of it." 

Sedona's throat tightened, emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "It took me a minute to get here... I went through a lot. But I made it. I really made it." 

They all leaned in, wrapping her in a tight group hug, their love and support tangible. 

Jasmine sniffed, playfully wiping an invisible tear. "Look at us... gettin' all emotional and shit." 

They laughed, the sound echoing through the room, breaking the sentimental moment. 

Sedona looked around, her heart full. This was her tribe—her people. And as she looked at their faces, she knew one thing for certain... twenty-eight was about to be one hell of a year.

—

Sedona leaned back, her head resting on the edge of the couch, her eyes half-lidded as the mimosas coursed through her system. She let out a content sigh before her lips curled into a mischievous grin.

She started singing, her voice light and playful, "I can't wait 'til I get home so you can tear that cherry out..." Her friends burst into laughter, recognizing the line from Beyoncé's "Blow." Sedona kept singing, her body swaying to the invisible beat as she added, "Turn that cherry out, turn that cherry out..."

"Girl!" Jasmine shouted, throwing a pillow at her. "Not you over here singin' Bey like that!"

Sedona dodged the pillow, laughing so hard she nearly spilled her drink. "I mean it though! Twenty-eight? I'm ready for it all! Turnin' this cherry out, baby!"

Solange choked on her drink, wiping tears from her eyes. "This girl is tipsy!"

SZA shook her head, grinning. "You wild as hell, Sedona."

Sedona shrugged, the playful smile still on her face. "I'm just sayin'... I feel good. Life is good. And I'm ready to... ya know..." She wiggled her eyebrows, letting the insinuation linger.

Jasmine's eyes widened. "Oh, so you on that tonight?"

Sedona laughed, shaking her head. "Nah, not tonight... but soon."

Solange leaned forward, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Girl, what about that three-month rule you swore by?"

Sedona's mouth dropped open, her cheeks flushing. "Oh my God, why you gotta bring that up?"

"Because!" Solange countered, laughing. "You were all serious about it, talkin' 'bout 'I need time to get to know someone emotionally before I give up this body.'" She mimicked Sedona's voice, causing the group to burst into laughter.

Sedona rolled her eyes, fighting back a smile. "I meant that... I did!" She paused, her expression softening. "But... I already know him. And... it's different this time. He's different."

The room went quiet, her friends all leaning in a little closer. Jasmine raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "You talkin' 'bout Kendrick?"

Sedona bit her lip, the shy smile returning as she nodded. "Yeah... it's just... it feels right, y'know? He makes me feel safe... loved. I ain't never had that before."

SZA placed a hand over her heart, feigning dramatic emotion. "Aww, our girl's in love!"

Sedona groaned, hiding her face behind her pillow. "Shut up!"

They all laughed, Jasmine reaching over to ruffle Sedona's hair. "It's okay, boo. We just happy for you. You deserve all this love and more."

Sedona lowered the pillow, her eyes shining with gratitude. "I really do feel like the luckiest girl in the world."

Solange held up her glass, the others following suit. "To Sedona... the birthday girl who's about to turn her cherry out!"

They all burst into laughter, their glasses clinking together as they toasted to life, love, and new beginnings.

Sedona took a sip, her heart full and her spirit light. Twenty-eight was already off to an unforgettable start.

—

The room had settled into a comfortable silence as Waiting to Exhale played on the screen, the group of women cozied up under blankets with half-empty glasses of mimosas in hand. The scene where Bernadine gathered her husband's belongings and stuffed them into his car had them all hooked, nodding in agreement at every fiery line Angela Bassett delivered. 

Sedona was nestled in the corner of her couch, a strawberry perched between her fingers as she took another sip of her mimosa. She giggled, her eyes slightly glazed with a tipsy haze, her heart feeling light. She reached for her phone, her fingers moving almost instinctively as she pulled up Kendrick's contact. 

"Shh, y'all shut up," She whispered, her voice carrying that playful tone that made the other women instantly curious. "I'm 'bout to call my man." 

Jasmine rolled her eyes, laughing. "Oh, so we interrupting girls' night for Kendrick now?" 

"Just for a second!" Sedona insisted, waving them off as she tapped the FaceTime button. "I miss him... and I wanna see his face." 

Solange let out a dramatic sigh, sinking deeper into the couch. "Look at her... whipped." 

"Mm-hmm," SZA agreed, munching on a handful of grapes. "Head over heels." 

Sedona ignored their teasing, the anticipation bubbling in her chest as Kendrick's face appeared on the screen. He was sitting on his couch, his hair pulled back, a faint smile spreading across his lips when he saw her. 

"What's good, baby?" His voice was warm, his eyes lighting up the second they locked onto hers. 

Sedona bit her lip, suddenly feeling giddy. "Hey, you." Her voice was a little softer, sweeter than usual. "Whatchu doin'?" 

"Just chillin', watchin' the game. You?" 

Sedona turned the camera, showing her friends who all shouted out in unison, "Hey, Kendrick!" 

He laughed, nodding at the screen. "Oh, so you on girls' night duty, I see?" 

"Yeah... and we watchin' Waiting to Exhale," she replied, flipping the camera back to her face. "You know... one of the classics." 

Kendrick's eyebrows lifted. "That explains why y'all so loud. I heard y'all fussin' all the way over here." 

Sedona gasped, her mouth falling open. "We were not that loud!" 

"You were. I could hear you cacklin' like a witch," He teased, his eyes glimmering with amusement. 

Sedona laughed, her nose scrunching up in that cute way that Kendrick loved. "You stupid." She paused, a playful grin spreading across her face. "Hey... does this make my butt look fat?" 

She stood up, turning around to show off her loungewear, the soft pink shorts hugging her curves perfectly. She did a little jump, the fabric bouncing with her, making her friends burst into laughter. 

"Girl!" Jasmine shouted, covering her mouth. "You a fool!" 

Kendrick's eyes widened, his smile growing wider as he took in the view. "Nah, baby... it makes it look just right." 

Sedona giggled, turning back to the camera. "You sure? Cause the girls swear it looks big." 

"They ain't lyin'," Kendrick confirmed, his voice dropping an octave. "But I ain't complainin'." 

Sedona's cheeks flushed, her smile growing. "You somethin' else, you know that?" 

He shrugged, his eyes softening. "Can't help it. You look good, ma." 

She sank back into the couch, her heart doing that fluttery thing it always did when he looked at her like that. "I miss you," She confessed, her voice quiet, sincere. 

Kendrick's expression softened. "I miss you too... but have fun tonight. I'll see you soon." 

"Promise?" 

"Promise," He said, his eyes never leaving hers. "Love you." 

"Love you too," She whispered before ending the call, a dreamy smile lingering on her lips. 

She looked up to find her friends staring at her, their faces lit up with amusement. 

Solange clutched her chest dramatically. "I love you," She mocked, her voice high-pitched. 

SZA pretended to wipe tears from her eyes. "That was so beautiful. I almost cried." 

Sedona rolled her eyes, but the blush on her cheeks was undeniable. "Y'all play too much." 

Jasmine shook her head, grinning. "Girl... you gone for him. It's cute though. Real cute." 

Sedona shrugged, her fingers absentmindedly playing with her curls. "Yeah... I am." Her voice was soft, almost shy. "I really am." 

They all exchanged knowing smiles before turning their attention back to the screen just in time to watch Bernadine set the car on fire. 

Jasmine shouted, "Burn his shit, sis!" 

Sedona laughed, leaning back into the couch. She felt full—of love, of friendship, of joy. As the movie played on, she took another sip of her mimosa, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Sixty-six.
— ０３／０１／２５
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#Plotting.

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