𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐢'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯

i stared at the image, my thumb hovering over skai's missed calls and text messages. even though i tried to remind myself that there must be a reasonable explanation, the old insecurities resurfaced. christian had always been a sore spot between us, and seeing skai so close to him again was like reopening a wound that hadn't quite healed.

suddenly, the memory of that halloween night four years ago came flooding back, uninvited.

as i made my way through the crowded room, i spotted her by the bar, laughing. but it wasn't just her laughter that caught my attention—it was who she was laughing with.

christian.

i watched as he leaned in closer to her, a smirk playing on his lips as he said something that made her laugh. my stomach twisted in that familiar way, the one that told me something was off.

i walked over, my expression neutral, though the tension was already building inside me. when i reached them, skai looked up, her eyes lighting up when she saw me.

"babe!" she said, reaching for my hand. "christian was just telling me about this wild party he went to last year."

"i'm sure it was dope." i replied coolly, my eyes flicking to christian.

"yeah, you would've loved it, dani," christian said, his tone just a little too smooth. "lots of... open-minded people. did i tell you about this one dude snorting cocaine—'"

i stiffened, the insinuation in his words clear as day. "i'm not really into 'company' like that," i said, my voice hardening.

"yeah christain. i think we heard enough of that story." skai says, glaring towards him as i shifted uncomfortably. 

as skai's words hung in the air, christian barely flinched, his smirk widening as if he enjoyed pushing buttons. he turned his gaze back to her, completely ignoring the tension in the air.

"come on, skai," he said, his voice dripping with false charm. "you're too uptight these days. where's the girl who used to dance on tables and was carefree? you're still that girl deep down, right? or maybe dani's got you on a leash now, huh?"

skai's expression faltered, a mix of confusion and irritation crossing her face. "christian, what the hell are you talking about?"

"chill out, i'm just reminiscing about the good old days." he replied, waving his hand dismissively. "okay what about this one, do remember that one time at jamie's party? dani, you were there. oh wait, no, you weren't. guess you had your own party going on elsewhere." his eyes gleamed with a knowing look.

my fists clenched at my sides, and the urge to lash out was almost overpowering. i couldn't stand the way he was talking to her, and this wasn't just about skai anymore—this was about him trying to drag up my past and my mistakes.

"christian," i said, my voice tight. "a word."

skai's eyes darted between us, sensing the shift in the air. "dani—"

"i'll be back in a sec," i said, forcing a reassuring smile. "just need to clear somethin' up with christian."

"what the fuck are you trying to do?" i hissed, keeping my voice low but laced with anger.

"what, can't handle a little banter?" christian replied, pulling his arm free and leaning against the wall. "or is it that you don't want skai to know the real you? the girl who was always looking for the next high, the next thrill?"

"don't you fuckin' dare," i warned, my eyes narrowing. "whatever happened back then is none of your business. and it sure as hell doesn't give you the right to bring it up now."

"oh, but it does," he said, his smile turning cruel. "because, let's face it, you're not as clean-cut as you pretend to be. skai might be head over heels for you, but how long do you think that's gonna last? especially when she realizes she's just your rebound from the mess you were."

"i'm not a fuckin' rebound," i snapped, taking a step closer, my voice low and dangerous. "and whatever you think you know about me, you don't know shit."

"really?" he said, raising an eyebrow. "because from where i'm standing, it looks like you're still trying to prove something. to her, to yourself. but newsflash, dani—people don't change. they just get better at hiding who they really are. and as skai's friend its my duty to protect her."

"if you want to talk about hidin'," i shot back, "let's talk about you. all this flirting, all these little digs—it's pathetic. you're just pissed because she chose me over you."

his smirk faltered for a split second, and i knew i'd hit a nerve. "keep telling yourself that," he said, recovering quickly. "but deep down, you know i'm right. she's going to get tired of you, dani. and when she does, i'll be right there to pick up the pieces."

"not if i have anythin' to say about it," i replied, stepping even closer, my voice a low growl. "stay the hell away from her, christian. this isn't a game. you mess with us again, and i swear, i'll fuck you up good. you feel me?"

i didn't wait for his response. turning on my heel, i walked away, my heart pounding in my chest, the adrenaline still coursing through me. 

i shook my head, bringing myself back to my physical reality and pushed the phone aside. this wasn't how i wanted to spend my day. skai's attempts to reach me would have to wait.

the drive to scott's mansion was a blur. i was lost in my thoughts, the hum of the engine and the steady beat of the road the only things grounding me. when i finally pulled up to scott's place, his mansion loomed large and welcoming against the backdrop of the calabasas hills.

i took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering frustration and stepped out of my car.

***

after a night full of laughter and hanging out in scott's studio, i pulled up to skai's place. the lights were on inside, and i took a deep breath, my fingers gripping the steering wheel as if that could steady the rush of emotions inside me.

i already knew that i had an avoidant attachment style, since arguments and tension made me feel both uncomfortable and detached. i sat there for a moment, gathering my thoughts, thankfully the blunts i smoked earlier giving me a more relaxed feeling to go off on.

i stepped out of the car and walked up to her doorstep, each step feeling heavier than the last. the night was quiet around me, the city's usual hum replaced by an eerie stillness. i reached the door, hesitated just long enough to collect my thoughts, and then raised my hand to knock.

"danielle!" skai exclaimed, her voice cutting through the quiet as the door swung open.

"hey," i said, my tone clipped as i walked past her into the house. irritation simmered just beneath the surface, i don't even wait for her as she closes the door behind me. "i was with scott all day, i told you remember."

"you could have texted something back though." she said, catching up to me. her tone was laced with frustration. "let's sit and talk then."

she took a seat on the couch, frowning as i plopped down a few cushions away. "so i see that you and christain are still buddies."

"no, it's not like that," skai said quickly, her eyes earnest. "i know you don't like christian because of how disrespectful he was back when we were together, but i made it clear that i'm seeing someone now."

"did you have to be that close to tell him that though?" i asked, dry humour lacing my sarcastic tone.

"why are you being like this?" she snapped, her frustration rising. "i didn't do anything wrong."

"alright then, skai," i said, shrugging as i leaned back into the sofa. the effects of the blunt had me more relaxed, but the anger still simmered beneath.

"so what now, you're just gonna sit there and act like a doormat?" she pauses to observe me as i gazed lazily ahead, "you're making a big deal out of nothing, you realise that right?"

"don't you remember one of the reasons we didn't work out?" i said, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "i hate feelin' jealous. it's the worst feelin' in the world. and in the past you made me feel it over and over again, and you just kept brushing it off as you being super friendly. always needing to be on good terms with everyone, even exes and guys who were clearly trying to turn you  quote on quote straight again." i winced, the old pain surfacing with every word.

"i'm sorry if i seemed too friendly," skai said, her voice cracking slightly. "but where is all this coming from?" 

"so you don't remember the sly comments your guy friends used to always make? how you let christian do whatever he wanted just because he was your friend from high places?" i pressed, the old wounds stinging. "does he even respect the fact that you're bi?"

"okay, i'll admit. i should have stood up to those jerks back then, heck, i'm not even friends with any of them anymore. last night, i made sure to cut all ties with christian too. but the way you're reacting to everything is really putting me off. i did everything in respect of us and our relationship, but it doesn't seem like you trust that i can."

"how do you think i felt when i saw you all cozied up in those pictures?" i shot back. "give me a break, skai."

"okay, stop because what we're not going to do is make this seem like i cheated here, because you of all people should know that it wasn't that last night!" she snaps but her face quickly drops as she covers her mouth but the damage was already done, "dani wait i-"

i stood up abruptly, grabbing my jacket and keys. "so what are you trying to say skai? takes a cheater to know one? because people can't change according to everyone, even you?"

"no, dani, i didn't mean that," skai said, walking after me, her voice desperate. "i was angry. please, wait."

i spun on my heel, pointing a finger at her, my chest heaving. "if we're doing this again," i motioned my finger between the two of us, "it needs to be right this time. because this is all i've got." i said, my voice shaking. skai tries to approach me but i take a step back.

"okay, i hear you dani." skai said quietly, her voice trembling.

"i don't like playing games, and i especially don't like people playing games with my girl," i said, my voice rising. "i don't want people touching you or even seeing you half of the time! because you're skai motherfucking thompson. you've got the whole world at your feet, and everyone wants you, but it's a shame that you like girls. that you like me right?"

"dani, that's not true," skai said, tears welling up in her eyes. "i don't care about all of that."

"then act like it!" i said, having enough, "seriously skai, lord knows how many more failed relationships i can go through." i took another shaky step backwards.

"i can't deal with any of this bullshit because it fuckin' hurts how much i love you!"

and just like that, the words hung in the air, and skai's eyes widened, the reality of my confession settling over us both.

"and i love you." she said quietly, her voice barely a whisper.

𓏲𝄢 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐮𝐲𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝!