𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐢'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯

the LA skyline was a blur of twinkling lights as i drove home, my mind still reeling from the whirlwind of the past few weeks. the exhilaration of performing and the unexpected encounters with skai had left me feeling drained. i parked the car in the driveway, the familiar sight of jasmine and i's condo offering a momentary sense of comfort.

as i stepped inside, the scent of jasmine greeted me, a reminder that jas had probably lit one of her favourite candles. she said jasmine was her favourite scent because it's literally her name. alright shakespeare. 

she was in the living room, her face illuminated by the soft glow of the tv. she looked up as i entered, a small smile playing on her lips.

"coucou bebe," she greeted, her voice a mix of warmth and something else, something more distant.

"hey babe," i replied, dropping my bags by the door and walking over to her. i leaned down to wrap my arms around her frame and turned my face to kiss her, but she turned her head slightly, my lips brushing her cheek instead.

"how was the flight from belgium?" she asked, her eyes fixed on the screen as she walked back to sit on the couch.

"long. i'm glad to be home with you though." i said as i settled down beside her, slouching to get more comfortable. there was a tension in her shoulders, a stiffness that hadn't been there before.

jas sighed, turning off the tv and facing me. "bebe, we need to talk."

i felt a knot form in my stomach. "what about jas?"

she ran a hand through her blonde hair, a sure sign she was frustrated. "ever since you started preparing for this north america tour, and your album you've been so busy. it's like you're here, but you're not really here."

"look i'm sorry, jas," i said, reaching out to take her hand. she pulled away, and the distance between us felt like an ocean. "i know it's been a lot, but this is really important. once it's over, we'll have more time together."

"that's what you said last time," she replied, her voice tinged with bitterness but still upholding its softness. i fidgeted slightly, feeling a sense of unease. "and now you're telling me we'll spend more time together during the tour? how does that even make sense? you'll be performing, traveling, and probably even busier than you are now."

i took a deep breath and raked my tattooed hand through my hair, trying to keep my own frustration in check. "i was thinkin' you was coming with me though. we could make it work."

jas shook her head, a sad smile on her lips. "and what am I supposed to do while you're performing and rehearsing? just sit around and wait for you?"

"you could explore the cities, maybe even find some inspiration for your next project, don't you like travellin' babe?" i suggested, flashing her my casual smile hoping to lighten the mood.

she laughed, but it was a hollow sound. i watched her closely as i twisted the silver ring on my forefinger absently. "speaking of projects, i might have a new filming project coming up. my team says that it's a big opportunity, and i'm not sure i can just put it on hold."

i felt my heart sink. "so, you're saying we'll both be too busy then?"

she nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resignation. "it feels like we're drifting apart, dani. and that's why i was so upset about you not coming straight back from england, you'll have the whole tour to be around your friends, but it feels like we have limited time."

the silence that followed was heavy, the unspoken words hung in the air. i stood up, needing to escape the suffocating tension. "i think i'm gonna head out for a bit, need to clear my head."

jas opened her mouth and then shut it again, a stubborn expression clouded her soft features. she didn't protest, just nodded and looked away. "do whatever you want."

as i left the house, i felt guilty but i really didn't have it in me to argue. she promised to come on my tour, it was even her idea. 

the cool night air hit my face, as i walked to my car. i drove aimlessly for a while, the streets of LA passing by in a blur. i needed to get away, to find some semblance of peace.

i ended up at a small bar, one of those places where nobody would recognise me. my friends who were a set of few underground LA artists that i met at my recent gigs were already there and texted me to join, a mix of familiar faces that offered a sense of normalcy. we talked, laughed, and for a few hours, i managed to push the tension with jasmine to the back of my mind. why does it feel like my relationship with jas is slipping through my fingers?

we once felt like one, now we're two. i said bitterly in my head.

even as i laughed at some jokes, my thoughts drifted back to the complicated mess of my personal life. skai's face flashed in my mind, her eyes holding that same unspoken tension that seemed to follow me everywhere.

𓏲𝄢 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝!