𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐢'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯

i was swamped with a whirlwind of schedules to promote my first pre-release single. between interviews, radio shows, and social media content shoots, my days were a blur of activity. i barely had time to catch my breath, let alone think about anything else. 

but amidst the chaos, i couldn't shake the nagging thought in the back of my mind: i still had to give skai back her watch.

dante, had been clear about his disapproval of me rekindling anything with skai. he thought it was a distraction, and given my history with her, i couldn't entirely disagree. but this was a simple matter of returning her property.

at least that's what i'm trying to convince myself with.

"dani, we need to get moving," dante said, checking his watch as he ushered me out of another interview room. "next stop, roc nation."

"right, right," i muttered, more to myself than to him. as we rode in the car, i tried to focus on the details of my upcoming music video. ideas were swirling in my head, but they kept getting interrupted by thoughts of skai. 

what would she say when i handed the watch back? would it be awkward? maybe she won't be there to collect it and a staff member will come down instead?

i felt a pang of disappointment at the last option.

we pulled up to the roc nation building, a sleek, modern structure that housed some of the biggest names in the industry. i stepped out, taking a deep breath. as much as I was here for business, a part of me couldn't ignore the personal connection.

inside, we were greeted by the receptionist, who directed us to wait in the lobby while she checked on the availability of skai's team. dante's phone buzzed, and he frowned as he read the message.

"there's an emergency meeting about the tour details," he said, glancing up at me. "i have to go. can you handle this?"

"yea, sure. i'll be fine," i replied, with a slight shrug as i continued to look around the lobby.

"okay. i'll send an uber to pick you up when you're done here," he said before hurrying off.

"word." i simply responded. i watched him leave and having enough of staying in one place for too long, i got up from my seat and rested at the reception desk instead, tapping my foot impatiently.

i found myself fiddling with the pot of candy sitting on the sleek reception desk, occasionally getting annoyed glances from the receptionist due to the noise. minutes passed, and finally, the receptionist's phone rang.

"i'm sorry, but none of skai's team is available right now," she informed me. "and given the value of the watch, we can't take responsibility for it."

i sighed, rubbing my temples. "alright, thanks for checkin'."

looks like i'd have to do this myself. i waited outside patiently for my uber which dante texted me was on its way. i quickly updated him to let him know that i will be stopping by skai's house and he should change the destination of the car.

i decided to call her to ask for her address or if she was home. i didn't understand why i felt so nervous as i rounded up all the strength in me to speak calmly without sounding off. after five rings she picks up, and a soft raspy voice answers.

"hello?" she asks, clearly sounding like she just woke up.

"yo—hey, skai it's me dani." i said. she probably hasn't even saved my number.

of course she hasn't, we have nothing to talk about. at least that's what i want myself to believ-

i ran a frustrated hand through my hair as i tried my best to stop paying attention to my intrusive thoughts.

"oh hi, what's up?"

i quickly explained the situation only to be met with a brief moment of silence.

"like now? i just woke up and i look like shit." she asks as the other end gets louder with muffled sounds as if she was rushing out of bed.

"i highly doubt that." i said quickly regretting the sentence from slipping out my mouth. "anyways i can only do today though."

"sure let me send you the address now." i cut the phone and waited for the message to come through. when she sent it, i forwarded it to dante who changed the destination of my ride, just in time for uber to park outside roc nation's building.

the ride to skai's place was quiet, my mind kept drifting back to the last time we saw each other, the tension and the unresolved feelings. from the argument that ended with a talk on the beach. not to mention that i may have said things i should have kept to myself. i shook my head, trying to focus. this was just about the watch.

when i arrived at skai's house, i hesitated for a moment and then stepping out of the car. i made my way up to her gate, my heart pounding louder with each step. i rung the bell, before placing my slightly sweaty palms in my pocket.

i heard a cute sound of pattering feet as it made its way closer to the gate. the gate's door swung open and there she was, her eyes widen as she took in my presence. 

skai looked good, as always, despite being in a causal black hoodie and some cute blue shorts. i couldn't help but notice the slight guarded look in her eyes, i wouldn't blame her.

"hey, sorry i took long, the gate is broken so you have to manually open it." she says, already rambling on. i quickly bit down a smile and followed nodded.

"it's cool."

"come in for a bit?" i shrugged in agreement as she opened the gate wider, gesturing for me to come in. i flash her a quick smile as i walk onto the property. she slams the gate shut before leading me into the house.

i stalked in, the familiar scent of her home hitting me. memories flooded back, but i pushed them aside. i remember the house looking emptier four years ago since i helped her move in, but we broke up straight after. brushing my memories aside i reassured myself that this was just a quick visit.

"do you want something to drink?" she offered, heading towards the kitchen.

"sure, water would be great," i said, sitting on her kitchen stool. i placed the gold watch on the counter delicately. it made a soft metallic noise when it came in contact with the marble counter which garnered skai's attention.

"thank you for coming all this way." she says as replaces the watch with a glass of water, stuffing it in her pocket. she had her own glass and stayed on her side of the island. there was a brief awkward silence as we both sipped our drinks.

"so, how's that album coming along?" she asked, breaking the silence.

"it's going well. busy, lots to do but exciting," i said, smiling a bit. "what about you?"

"yeah, actually. i'm heading back to new york soon for a few shoots and meetings, i recently released a song with normani so the both of us will be filming a podcast episode with latto on apple music." she replied, her eyes lighting up as she talked about her work.

"i actually listened to it." i admitted catching her gaze and holding onto it. she cocks her head to the side slightly in surprise. "when it played on the radio."

"really?" she asked with a high voice before clearing her throat. "what did you think."

"always been a fan, it's really good. your voice suits rnb so well." i said truthfully. i couldn't help but notice her prideful smile.

"thank you." she smiles as she leans across on the island. at this point, i should probably be making an excuse to leave or i should at least stop staring so intensely at her face, but i really had to take in her beauty, especially in the natural light. she didn't have any makeup, yet she managed to look ethereal. every time this girl keeps fucking with my brain.

i felt her nervously look away from my gaze, which gave me the sign that i should probably stop. every time we were around one another, we really couldn't stop stealing glances. i attempted to look elsewhere and my eyes fell upon a paused episode of the bear.

"hold up, you watch the bear?" i asked with a bit too much enthusiasm.

"uh yeah? that is my show." she stated matter of factly, as if i asked a stupid question. "i watch it religiously, i just started the first episode of the new season."

"damn lucky, i have been so busy, i don't know when was the last time i sat down to watch a show." i said sucking my teeth as i straightened my posture on the stool.

"that sucks, well maybe whilst you wait for your uber you can watch the first episode, if you want." she suggests, innocently shrugging her shoulders. i contemplated on it for a second, it did sound promising, and it was better waiting in more awkward silence.

"sure, i need to charge my phone though to call the uber." she made her way swiftly around the counter to me and took my phone from my hand. my eyes couldn't help but fall down to her retreating figure as i watched her plug my phone in on the kitchen counter.

"there, now are you going to stay on that stiff ass stool or are you going to sit down and watch a cinematic masterpiece on my comfy sofa?" she teased me as i sat rigidly on her stool since i was unsure if she wanted me anywhere near her. 

but after getting the green light, i couldn't help but grin to myself as i hopped off the chair, making sure to tuck it in since my momma didn't raise no thug, and sat on the edge of her sofa.

she was right, it was hella comfortable.

"where did you get this couch from." i asked as i settled down to get comfortable.

"some private seller in the neverlands. i payed £10K for it." i looked at her in surprise.

skai laid on her couch, since this is her home after all, and pressed play on the remote before throwing it to the side.

"i heard that this season has an unexpected ending." she says, glancing over at me.

"is that so." i said, my voice trailing off as i fixated on the tv as the show started. i really loved this show.

***

six hours passed just like that. take out food was sprawled on the coffee table, my coat was hanging on the other side of the sofa, my phone was well beyond charged and forgotten on the kitchen counter, skai and i were both speechless.

"no way bruh." i said, as i placed my chipotle bowl on the table scattered with salt and pepper packets that skai threw when she rushed back from taking our takeout and thought that she missed an important scene.

"bro, i'm so fucking upset right now, now we got to wait a whole year to see what happens next." skai huffed, as she moved further into the sofa, her hair that was already sprawled on my shoulder. 

i pushed her soft curls aside as it was tickling my neck and quickly became aware of how close we were. throughout the entirety of the six hours, i managed to go from my safe stiff position on the edge of the sofa, to slouching right in the middle of the sofa, skai sitting closely next to me.

it wasn't even that it was weird, since no one was resting anything on anyone, but this scene would definitely send jasmine into a scream fest.

"uh, it's so late." i said as i got up abruptly, looking around for a phone to look at the time.

"yeah, you should probably finally call that uber." skai teased, sitting up as she tucked a strand behind her ear.

"my phone is probably overcharged at this point." i say as i make my way behind the sofa and towards the counter which my phone has been sitting patiently for me. 

i turned on my phone and noticed a few missed calls from jas and some text messages from the 070 group chat asking if i can hang.

"can a phone ever overcharge do you think?" skai voice asks behind me as i hear her shift towards where i was standing. 

thankfully jas was overseas so i didn't need to explain anything but i didn't like the fact that i'll probably have to lie to her about where i've been all day. saying that you binge watched a whole season of the bear with your ex doesn't really sound good now did it.

"dani?" skai repeats, nearly singing my name the second time. we may have also drunk a dash of hennessy.

"hm?" i hummed as my thumb navigated to the uber app and ordered it to my condo's address. i looked up to check on what skai was doing but she seemed to be in space as she stared up at the wall blankly. "uh, i'm not sure skai, maybe it can and maybe it can't."

after pressing the confirmation button, i was able to refocus my attention on skai who was now humming to herself as she picked up the rubbish from the takeout we ordered. i rushed over to help her and started picking up on the tissue that was spawled on the floor.

"i hope i didn't disturb your schedule or anything." she says quietly and i shake my head, feeling a strong urge to reassure her.

"nah don't worry, i had nothing planned for the rest of today. i was actually planning on nappin'."

"okay good." she says, smiling warmly at me before turning on heel to throw away the empty drink containers.

i watched her for a moment, the way she moved with such casual grace, the way her hips swayed, the way her eyes lit up when she smiled. it brought back a flood of memories, both good and bad. despite everything, there was still a part of me that missed this, missed her.

"um...i'll throw this on the way out, my ride should be here any minute." i said, lifting up the takeout box and the contents of rubbish i stuffed inside.

"thanks, there is a black bin outside the gate, you won't miss it." she picked up my coat and held it out. "don't forget your coat."

"i'm not forgetful like you so don't worry about that." i teased as i stalked over to her and swiftly took the coat from her. she dropped her hands to her side in defeat.

"don't try me." she warned, humour laced her tone. my phone pinged in my hand, notifying me that my driver was outside. "well, i guess that your ride."

i followed her through the hallway and out of the house. the air was chilly and she hugged herself with her arms in an attempt to warm herself up. remembering how easily she got a cold, i waved my hands at her to go inside.

"go inside it's cold, i'm cool to be dropped off here." i reassured her and she hesitantly looked at me.

"okay then, travel safely yeah?" she calls from the steps as i walked carefully down her steps and towards the gate.

"yeah." i called out before disappearing out the gate.

***

i trudged into my condo, the familiar hum of the city outside blending into the background as i locked the door behind me. the penthouse felt strangely quiet after the bustling energy of skai's place, like the space was holding its breath, waiting for me to settle in.

i kicked off my shoes and shrugged out of my coat, letting it drape over the back of the couch.

my phone buzzed on the kitchen counter, drawing my attention. i grabbed it, scrolling through a few notifications before stopping at a message from skai.

𝐬𝐤𝐚𝐢

hey dani, did u make it home safely? |

| yeah, just got in

| thanks for checking.

glad to hear it |

hope ur doing okay. it was really nice watching the bear with someone who equally enjoys it |

| i actually really missed being lazy and binge watching shows so thnks

as someone who does it everyday, anytime! |

lol my house is actually the designated cinema spot |

| oh really?

yup, i love watching tv |

anyways i'm goin to bed nite |

| sme goodnite

i leaned back, rubbing my eyes. The day had been long and i could feel my sleep creeping up on me. i couldn't help but smile at my phone before resting it on the side table in my room.

𓏲𝄢 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝!