𝐬𝐤𝐚𝐢'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯

i sat quietly and listened as dani told me everything has been happened today. dani sat on the edge of my bed, her shoulders slumped and eyes heavy with the weight of the day. 

i sat next to her, our legs almost touching, feeling the warmth of her presence. it was hard to see her like this, so vulnerable and open. my heart ached for her, and all i wanted to do was make her feel better.

"it's been such a mess," dani said, her voice barely above a whisper. she looked up at me, her eyes glistening. "i'm sorry to dump all of this onto you."

"you're not dumping anything," i reassured her, placing a hand on her back, rubbing gently. "i'm here for you, dani. always."

she gave me a small, grateful smile. "thanks, skai. i don't know what i'd do without you."

we sat in comfortable silence for a while, i couldn't help but feel my heart race as i glanced at her, remembering the kiss we shared. it was tender and full of unspoken emotions. something had shifted between us, something undeniable. her dark eyes hid underneath her long eyelashes and were glued to the ground, her hair framed her face beautifully.

this woman is perfect.

"skai," dani began, breaking the silence. she took a deep breath, as if gathering courage. "about what i said outside,"

i turned to face her fully, giving her my undivided attention. "yes?"

"i can't keep pretendin' that everything's okay with jasmine," she confessed, "our relationship... it's not what it should be. and seein' you, being with you... it's made me realise that i can't keep livin' a lie."

i had to bite down a smile, trying my hardest to keep it classy.

"dani, are you sure? this isn't just because you're having a bad day, cause i can't keep playing with my emotions when it comes to you."

"no," her face scrunched up slightly as she looked into my eyes, clearly offended by my statement. she reaches out to take my hand. "it's not like that, i've felt this way for a long time, but i was too scared to admit it. i just want you, no i crave you. i can't ignore it."

my heart pounded in my chest as her words sank in, this time i let the smile on my face spread.

"i want you to." i whispered, but i suddenly remembered something i wanted to make clear. "but, i need you to sort this whole jasmine situation, we shouldn't have even kissed cause i ain't no side chick danielle."

"don't worry ma, i'll sort everything out." her words made my heart swell. i squeezed her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. she dazed into my eyes, like she always does, her eyes low but full of intense energy. i loved everything about this woman, even her scent had me feeling intoxicated. "i don't regret kissin' you though."

i chuckled softly, feeling embarrassed from the memory. she watched me intensely, a serious expression on her face as i swayed softly. she does this thing where she would watch you like a hawk, but in a incredibly sexy way. the girl had the talent for holding eye contact.

"don't be saying that out loud before jasmine sends her detective to kidnap me." i joked, causing dani to give me her you did not just say that face, but i saw her lips tug slightly into a smile. after a while of more silence and staring into each other's eyes, i straightened my back as i spoke "but seriously, i want that too, dani. i've wanted it for a long time. i was just scared as hell, we ended our relationship in a really bad place."

the sincerity she held in her eyes broke down any walls i had left. "i've been scared too," she admitted, her voice trembling. "i'm scared right now, scared of getting hurt again. my heart is beatin' so hard right now, feel it."

her hand which was already on mine gripped my hand gently, lifting it up to her chest. i sucked in a breath as i laid my hand carefully on her chest, feeling the pulsations of her heart. i stared at our hands before looking back up through my eyelashes and smiled.

"okay, your boobs have gotten a tiny bit bigger." i gave it a quick squeeze, causing dani to drop my hand and throw it back to me as i laughed.

"really skai?" she moans in annoyance but the in the glimmer of humour in her eyes said otherwise.

"so, what do we do now?" i asked, a small smile playing on my lips.

"first, i need to talk to jasmine," dani said, her tone determined. "i need to end things with her properly. and then, we can try and figure out what we got goin' on."

we sat there for a while longer, our hands intertwined, leaning into each other for comfort and support. i didn't want to do too much until everything with her and jasmine was finalised, despite our kiss being so fucking good and feeling right, i knew that it wasn't the right thing to do.

"you have no idea how much this means to me," dani whispered into my hair, her voice thick with emotion. "just knowin' you're willing to give us a chance."

in that moment, surrounded by the quiet intimacy of my room, i felt alive. it felt like the missing part that has been left since dani and i's departure was starting to fill again, showing that she always was in my heart these four years.

***

that night, we fell asleep side by side, the comfort of each other's presence easing the heaviness of our hearts. the morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. i woke up first and i could feel the steady rise and fall of dani's breath, her body pressed against mine as she slept peacefully next to me in a way that made me feel both grounded and exhilarated. 

we didn't sleep under the covers or anything, so i woke up feeling dazed. her hand was draped lightly across my waist, her fingertips brushing against the bare skin just above my hip. my eyes landing on dani's peaceful face. she looked serene, a stark contrast to the turmoil of the previous day. for a moment, i just watched her, feeling a sense of calm wash over me.

from the shape of her lips, to the curls that fell on her face, i loved every inch of this woman. she had the perfect mix of feminine and masculine features. her long eyelashes, soft pink lips and perfectly shaped eyebrows contrasted beautifully with her sharp jawline and high cheekbones. the sight of her, serene and unguarded, filled me with a tender affection.

i carefully slipped out of bed, not wanting to wake her. i padded into the kitchen, my feet whispering against the cool wooden floor, the familiar routine grounding me. 

the scent of coffee and freshly scrambled eggs filled the air, i also took out some jam and butter since that was something i remembered she used to enjoy for breakfast. just as i was setting the table, dani walked in, rubbing sleep from her eyes and offering me a warm sleepy smile and her tousled hair framed her face in a way that was cute and raw.

"good mornin'," she murmured, her voice raspy but warm, carrying the faintest hint of a smile. she gazed at the breakfast i was setting on the table and gave me a lopsided smile. "you remember that i eat my toast with jam and butter?"

"good morning," i replied, returning her smile. "and of course, that's all you used to eat sometimes."

"you didn't have to," she said, though her eyes were clearly pleased. she walked over, her movements slow and deliberate, as if savouring every moment.

we sat down together, the space between us filled with a quiet intimacy. i watched as she took a sip of coffee, the steam rising and mingling with the scent of the eggs. every now and then, our fingers brushed against each other as we reached for the same piece of toast or handed each other plates. each touch was electric, a reminder of the connection we shared. after the third time, i was starting to feel like dani was doing it on purpose as she smiled to herself every time it happened, meanwhile i could hardly breathe straight.

as the last bite of toast disappeared, dani pushed her chair back, her eyes lingering on mine a moment longer than necessary before she stood up.

"i'm going to freshen up," she said, her voice low, carrying a note of something unspoken.

i nodded, watching her walk towards the stairs, my heart picking up speed. as i cleared the table, i couldn't help but freak out about the fact that dani was actually upstairs in my room right now. i also noticed the tension between us crackling in the air.

it was like we were both trying to be on our best behaviour despite lowkey not wanting to.

as i slowly made my way up the stairs, i heard the sound of water running in the bathroom connected to my bedroom, and the faint clink of toiletries being moved around.

i took a deep breath and slipped into my bedroom, my steps slow, deliberate. the door to my bathroom was slightly ajar, and through the crack, i could see dani in front of the mirror, her hoodie off, clad only in her jeans and calvin klein sports bra.

she was splashing water on her face, her skin glistening in the soft morning light. the sight of her, half-dressed, her back muscles rippling under her skin as she moved, sent a shiver down my spine.

she caught sight of me lingering at the door. a knowing smirk played on her lips as she locked eyes with me through the reflection.

"enjoying the view?" she teased, her voice low and smooth, sending a shiver down my spine.

i leaned against the doorframe, trying to keep my cool even though my heart was racing. "maybe," i replied with a casual shrug, though i knew the heat in my gaze gave me away.

dani chuckled, wiping her face with a towel before tossing it aside. she stepped closer, her movements slow, deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey.

"come here," she murmured, her voice a low, seductive drawl that made my knees weak.

i swallowed hard, pushing off the doorframe and taking a step toward her. every inch of my body was hyper-aware of her presence.

dani watched me with a hooded gaze, her eyes tracing the line of my body as i approached. she reached out as i got close, her fingers brushing against my hip, the touch so light it was almost teasing.

"you know, you're not making it easy for me to behave," she whispered, her breath warm against my skin as she stepped closer, her hand sliding around to the small of my back, pulling me in until our bodies were almost touching.

my heart skipped a beat at the contact, and i found myself instinctively leaning into her, the space between us shrinking until there was barely anything left.

"who says i actually want you to behave?" i shot back, my voice hushed, laced with the same heated challenge i saw in her eyes.

dani's eyes darkened at my words, her grip tightening on my waist as she pulled me even closer, our bodies brushing against each other, the contact sending a jolt of electricity through me. her hand slipped under the hem of my shirt, her fingers splaying across my lower back, the heat of her touch burning into my skin.

"careful, skai," she whispered, her voice low, dangerous, as she leaned in, her lips hovering just above mine, the proximity making it impossible to think straight. "i'm not sure you're ready for what happens if i lose control."

i could feel her breath on my lips, the warmth of it teasing me, taunting me. my hands found their way to her hips, fingers digging into her skin as i held her close, my body instinctively arching toward hers.

"maybe i'm counting on it," i whispered back, my voice barely more than a breath.

for a moment, it felt like the world stopped spinning, everything narrowing down to the heat between us, the way our bodies seemed to gravitate toward each other despite the promise we'd made not to cross the line.

the tension was unbearable, every inch of me screaming to close the distance, to feel her lips on mine, to let go of the restraint that was holding us back.

but just as our lips brushed, dani pulled back, her breath ragged, her grip on my waist loosening. she rested her forehead against mine, her eyes closed as she took a shaky breath, trying to regain control.

"we can't," she said, her voice pained, the words more to herself than to me.

"i know," i whispered, though it took everything in me not to pull her back in, to give in to the need that was threatening to consume me.

we stayed like that for a moment, our bodies pressed together, hearts pounding in sync, the tension still crackling in the air around us. dani finally stepped back, her hands lingering on my hips for just a second longer before she let go, her eyes searching mine.

"this isn't over," she murmured, her voice thick with promise as she turned back to the sink, leaving me standing there, breathless and aching with the anticipation of what was to come.

"you better get your ass over there and handle your business." i mutter causing dani to hum in agreement as she swiftly puts her hoodie back on before we made our way down the stairs.

we stood by the door, the sunlight streaming in and casting a warm glow over us. dani's eyes were filled with a mixture of reluctance and affection as she looked down at me.

"i'll see you soon yeah?" she said softly, stepping closer to wrap me in a hug. the embrace was enveloping, her arms wrapping around me tenderly.

her fingers slipped underneath my thin top, caressing it in a small circular motion. i could feel the gentle pressure of her chest against mine, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.

she pulled back slightly, her fingers brushing my cheek as she leaned in to press a tender kiss to my forehead. the kiss was light and lingering, her lips warm and soft against my skin.

"take care of yo self," she whispered, her breath warm and soothing.

"you too," i replied, watching as she walked to her car. the morning air was cool against my skin, but the warmth of her kiss lingered.

after watching her drive away, i turned on my heel and entered my house. i damn near broke my ankle from how high i was skipping up my stairs, humming a light tune. i jumped back into my bed and sighed as i gazed at the ceiling. i couldn't stop smiling, as i occasionally squealed loudly into my pillow.

the bed still smelt like her.

i continued the rest of my day in an incredibly amazing mood. even on call with zendy, she couldn't help but interrogate me about why i kept on smiling blindly into the camera, full teeth grinning and everything. embarrassing.

"what's got you showing your gums girl?" she asked with a perfectly threaded eyebrow raised as she moved closer to the camera. i hid my mouth behind my hands and shrugged.

"oh nothing~" i said, almost singing without realising.

"you're acting weird today, and scaring me." zendaya scoffed in disbelief.

i chose not to say anything, as of yet. i don't want to start speaking before the shit actually gets good since technically dani is not mine, as of yet. so i kept my oblivious act, but then zendy added mom to the call and i just decided to hang up the phone when the two started questioning me.

i was in such an uplifted mood that i did all my chores, answered all my emails and organised my food cabinet, all whilst awaiting dani's text.

it never came.

***

the following week passed in a blur. every day seemed to stretch endlessly, each one marked by the same quiet hope that eventually turned into frustration. still, there was no call or text from dani. my phone remained silent, the screen empty of the messages i longed for. i couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions, i felt embarrassed, confused and concerned.

this was very unlike dani, she would never go ghost especially after the night we had. dani may be trifling sometimes, but she had a heart, at least i thought she did.

then came that fateful morning when everything changed. the day began like the other dragged ones, with sunlight pouring through the blinds and scowl resting on my face. but as i scrolled through social media while eating my breakfast, something caught my eye. text notifications from natalie and gio simultaneously, their messages short but charged with urgency.

𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢🦋

skai wtf! |

look at the picture i sent you! *attachment* |

is she serious rn? |

𝐠𝐢𝐨🍒

what time and where are we burying bodies? |

i own a glock 19X |

i stared at the photos, the cruel clarity of the images slicing through my hope. the screen flickered with images from jasmine's birthday celebration—vivid and colourful, filled with smiling faces and festooned with party decorations. amidst the vibrant party scene, where jasmine glowed in the centre of attention, there was dani—standing somewhat at the periphery but unmistakable nonetheless. her figure, while not front and centre, was unmistakable.

a wave of cold dread washed over me, and i stared at the screen, my mind struggling to process the reality of what I was seeing. i looked at the pictures sent again, zooming into to see dani better.

she held a glass of champagne loosely in one hand, her posture slightly detached captured by the camera chatted with a few guests at the very edge of the picture. if someone was scrolling casually they wouldn't have even seen her.

the room seemed to close in on me as the reality hit. tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. my breaths came in ragged gasps as i tried to hold back the sobs. i fell to my knees on my cold kitchen floor. the photos was still glowing on my phone with it's now cracked screen due to my harsh fall, a cruel reminder of my shattered expectations.

my hands shook as i tried to reached for my phone but i was overwhelmed by the depth of my grief that i gave up. i curled into a ball, burying my face into my hoodie.

𓏲𝄢 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝!