𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐢'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯

the clinking of dishes and the murmur of conversations created a pleasant background hum as we settled into our seats. i took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as i faced zendaya across the small table.

"hey zendaya, thank you for finding time to join me for lunch." i got up politely and zendaya waved me off, her easy smile brightening her face.

"come on dani, there's no need to be so formal." she brushed my shoulder lightly before we sat down. "so how have you been, and how many years has it been? three to four years right?"

"i think even five since i've last seen you. i'm also doing well thank you." i said, observing zendaya's slightly guarded body language. she wasn't the type to outright cuss anybody out or anything, but i knew how protective she is of her little sister.

and it's a must that i have a good relationship with my in laws.

"that's good, should we order?" she asked, her eyes scanning the menu.

"sure, let's do that." we placed our orders, and as the waitstaff went off to prepare our food.

"so, you said you needed to discuss something with me. it sounded urgent and random since it's been a while since we've spoken, of course since—"

"yes, since skai and i broke up. well i called you here because it's about skai." i watched as zendaya's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"i knew it!" she suddenly said, tapping the table with enthusiasm. the sudden shift in her demeanour made me flinch slightly. "tom owes me a hundred and fifty bucks."

"i'm sorry, i'm confused?" i chuckled in confusion.

"oh i'm sorry, i got carried away. you were saying about you and skai getting back together?" she says, her curiosity evident in the way she leaned forward.

"i actually didn't reach that part yet. how did you know?"

"i could tell just by looking at my sister. she's been way too giddy lately." she shrugged, a playful smile tugging at her lips. the waiter returns with our food and she immediatly starts to nibble on her salad. "so let me guess, you're here doing damage control with your in-laws?"

"i mean i guess," i said nervously playing with my napkin, but zendaya's laughter was light and reassuring.

"don't worry about me, truly. if my sister is happy then i am. i remember how passionate and in love you guys were so if i'm being honest, i'm happy you guys found your way back to one another. i can tell how much more mature you have become." she gestured with her fork, her expression softening.

"zendaya, i honestly really appreciate this, since i'm actually plannin' on asking skai to be my girlfriend again. and knowing how close you two are, it just felt right to speak to you beforehand." i explained, feeling a surge of relief as i spoke.

"of course, i appreciate this too. i wish you two the healthiest and happiest relationship this time coming." she raised her glass in a toast, her smile genuine.

"thank you." i said, returning her smile as i took a bite of my food.

"now, how are you planning the girlfriend proposal? tell me everything because you know i'm a sucker for things like this." zendaya's eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table.

i grinned, feeling a rush of enthusiasm as i began to outline my plans. zendaya listened intently, her eyes wide with anticipation, and occasionally she would interject with excited questions. the more we talked, the more excited i felt. 

***

the sun was starting to set, casting a golden hue over the beach as i bustled around, making final touches for the proposal.

"okay, the candles are set up, and the fairy lights are twinkling," zendaya announced, her voice ringing with satisfaction as she adjusted a string of lights that draped elegantly from a nearby palm tree. the lights cast a warm, inviting glow, illuminating the arrangement of rose petals on the sand.

"damn, who knew that dani was such a romantic?" cine chirped, holding up a bunch of white roses with a smirk. the petals seemed to catch the last rays of the sun.

"honestly, this is so cute, it reminds me of teenagehood for some reason," treee agreed, her eyes scanning the setup before she adjusted a few more candles, ensuring they were perfectly aligned along the pathway.

"probably because it looks like we're setting up a promposal to onlookers," ralphy added, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm as he held up a small sign that read, "Will You Be My Girlfriend?".

"less chatting, more moving y'all. she's goin' to be here any minute!" i called out, turning my head to oversee the final details. they all rolled their eyes but continued working with determined energy.

"i better be made your best man for all this unpaid heavy lifting," ralphy joked, his muscles flexing dramatically as he moved boxes of decorations. his playful attitude made me laugh, easing the tension of the moment. 

all day, i had meticulously ensured everything went to plan, glancing at my watch with growing anticipation. gio and skai were supposed to arrive any minute now.

"how far away is she?" I asked, glancing over at zendaya as she checked her phone for the latest update.

"according to her location, she is three minutes away!" zendaya yelled back as she packed up wrappers and rubbish around her.

"we should probably all start getting out of the way. cine, you got your camera ready, right?" treee asked, her eyes focused on the area where skai would soon appear. cine nodded, switching his camera on.

"yessir, i am ready to film some pre-wedding footage," cine replied, grinning as he aimed the camera around, capturing the beautifully arranged setup.

"oh wait, make sure to get me in the footage so people can see how much i contributed to this proposal!" ralphy interjected, striking an exaggerated pose with the boxes before brushing a hand over his non-sweaty forehead.

"hey i'm ralph, and i need attention." treee narrated from behind cine, causing ralphy to scowl playfully.

"i will fight you," ralphy threatened with a mock glare before pointing directly at the camera speaking to cine behind. "you better mute that when you showcase it at the wedding."

"okay now, y'all do realize that you're missing chapters; this is a girlfriend proposal," i laughed, shaking my head at their antics. the trio shrugged nonchalantly, their playful banter helping to calm down my nerves.

"well, technically in the lesbian world of dating, y'all will be sending your wedding invitations in the next coming weeks, so we've got to stay prepared," treee said, her tone teasing as she pointed at cine. "now cine get my best angle."

"guys, i can see her!" zendaya suddenly exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. i turned quickly, following her gaze.

skai appeared at the edge of the beach, walking alongside giovanna. the golden light of the setting sun bathed her in a soft, warm glow, making her look like a vision from a dream. 

she stepped onto the sand, her red dress catching the light in a way that made it seem almost alive, shifting between shades of crimson and gold as she moved. the dress hugged her figure gracefully, flowing into a delicate, thigh-high slit that revealed her bare legs with each step.

her black hair, slightly tousled by the breeze, caught the light in a way that made it shimmer. her beautiful brown eyes, wide with surprise, reflected the beauty of the scene around her as she took in the rows of flickering candles, the delicate rose petals scattered across the sand, and the twinkling fairy lights that draped from the palm trees. she wore a look of pure wonder, her mouth slightly agape as if she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing.

"dani?" she called out, her voice a breathless whisper carried by the evening breeze, the sound gently brushing against the backdrop of the setting sun. 

my heart leapt as the others quietly stepped aside, leaving just skai and me in the frame of this perfect moment.

𓏲𝄢 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐮𝐲𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝!