𝐬𝐤𝐚𝐢'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯

a kaleidoscope of twinkling lights reflected off the crystal-clear swimming pool, the water shimmering like liquid diamonds beneath the moonlit sky. the air was warm and stuffy despite it being in the middle of february. music was thrumming from hidden speakers, a sultry mix of slow beats and pop anthems that kept the crowd moving, their laughter and chatter mingling with the melody.

i stood at the edge of the pool, watching my reflection ripple in the water, my emerald green dress hugging each curve of my body tightly as i swayed gently to the music. my dark curls framed my face, and i found myself scanning the crowd with a mix of curiosity, occasionally making brief eye contact with my famous peers. a tight-lipped smile and look-away combo worked like a charm every time.

"skai," brandy whispered behind me as she nudged my side to get my attention. sulking slightly i turned around to stare at her usual disapproved face that she always makes when she thought i was acting antisocial. 

i can't help the fact that i would rather throw myself across hot rocks and sleep there than stay a moment longer around a bunch of celebrities all squished into one building. vanity and attention was thick in the air tonight.

"yes my beautiful and all knowing manager." i smiled sarcastically, fixing my face to not look too bored before it appeared in the background of someone's story and becomes a sensational overnight meme.

"yeah, you know exactly what i'm about to say. we need to take more pictures of you talking to other artists, why don't i try and find beyonce." her voice trailed off as she was already moving like an eagle looking for its prey. before i could respond she tapped my shoulder reassuringly and reminded me to keep my phone on.

despite not releasing any music in nearly a year due my creativity and inspiration running thin and preferring to focus on other avenues such as modelling and acting, brandy insisted i attended to make it known to fans that i was still heavily committed to music. 

i still clearly remember my first celebrity event, i loved every second, my neck could have snapped from the way i frantically looked around as i spotted all my favourite artists. but when you attend the same events every year, not to mention that i've been recently feeling a major block when it comes to writing music, the events become daunting to look forward to.

i hugged my body as i stood alone and observed my surroundings once more, hoping to see someone i knew.

then, I saw her.

casually leaning against a marble pillar was my ex.

dani's long, curly hair was styled to perfection, each strand seeming to fall into place naturally. i recognised that set of beautiful curls immediately before i even saw her face. she was wearing a tailored black suit with a crisp white shirt that fitted her small slim frame perfectly, the top few buttons undone to reveal a hint of a gold chain around her neck. 

i couldn't for the life of me look away, my heart started to beat frantically in my chest, blurring out the music from my ears. i felt a magnetic pull between us despite being quite far away from another.

our eyes met across the expanse as she broke eye contact with the person whom she was engrossed in a conversation and i felt my breath catch, memories flooding my mind without permission. her expression was inscrutable, but there was a softness to her gaze that made me wonder if she, too, was lost in the echoes of our shared history.

her eyes, deep and brown, were framed by thick lashes and a sharp brow, as she gazed at me in an otherworldly manner, causally piercing straight at me.

i couldn't tell you how long we held eye contact, for so many unspoken words was spread through the space that kept us apart. the person who was in front of dani, lightly tapped her to regain her attention. slowly dani eyes averted away as she looked straight forward, exposing only her 070 tattoo that sat above her cheekbone.

i shook my head slightly in an attempt to regain my own focus and decided that i have had enough of socialising and fake smiling for one day.

i picked up the bottom of my dress slightly and made my way down the steps and into the bustling packed hall. as i passed through the crowd, some stopped me occasionally to cheerfully say hello or to congratulate me on my win for best rnb song.

i finally make it to the peaceful space of the ladies restroom. i grabbed my phone out of my purse and pressed brandy's caller id and watched it ring. the music outside was muffled and sounded far away which made this a perfect spot to let brandy know that i was getting the fuck out of here.

she couldn't possibly expect me to stay here all calm and cordial when i just got a blast from my unwelcoming past.

watching the call go through, i huffed in frustration and decided to shoot a text instead.

𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧🎀

| bran can't lie i'm heading home

| call me back when you see this x

tucking my phone back into my purse, i checked my reflection in the mirror and brushed my fingers through my curls to push it out of the way of my eyes. in that moment the bathroom door swung open and a group of people entered, chatting excitedly. i smiled through the mirror as two girls giggled with each other before waving at me.

"i love your music skai." one of them said boldly. "can we get an autograph please."

"sure." i shrugged and placed my purse to rest on the counter. i took a pen from one of them and signed a small booklet which i find to be cute to bring along to this event. i may have to mentally prepare myself to interact with other celebrities, but i am always open and happy to speak to my fans. the girls rushed their thanks and skipped off all giddy.

as they opened the door dani walked in, holding the door open for them to slip by. she looked towards my direction immediately, her jaw clenched slightly as she held a nonchalant expression across her sharp features. 

i sharply turned back to face the mirror and acted as if i didn't even see her. the same girls were squealing even louder as they pushed their booklet for dani to sign.

"sure thing." her raspy low voice responds with an award winning smile. i secretly peered at dani through the mirror as she grinned and signed the book. her hair fell in front of her face as she leaned down from an angle in concentration. i hated how attractive her small smile was. the way her lips curled into a small, almost cheeky smile, i hated how that made me feel.

she waves goodbye to the fangirls and walks up towards the counter and rakes her hand through her hair, pushing it to one side.

"hello stranger." she says smoothly, her words flowing like a gentle husky melody. i look up from the sink and turn slightly to officially acknowledge her presence, as if i hadn't been staring at her a few seconds ago.

i took in her features again after four years and the woman has somehow managed to look even more ethereal than last time we saw one another. her high and defined cheekbones added a sculpted elegance to her face, notably pulling together her overall striking appearance.

"yes, long time no see." i smiled quickly, tightly clutching onto my purse as i preferred to be anywhere but talking to my ex in the toilets. she nodded quietly before looking straight forward to adjust her outfit.

"congratulations on the grammy win for best new artist, you deserve it." i quickly added as i stepped away from the sink. dani's eyes darted back towards me once again and i couldn't help but feel incredibly self conscious as the dark haired raven stared at me with a piercing look. she smiled politely, the type of smile that doesn't reach the eyes.

"thank you, and congratulations back to you skai." she murmured, her voice husky and low when she said my name, sending shivers down my spine.

for a split second i caught her eyes swiftly look up and down before she averted her eyes, as if she saw something she shouldn't have.

"thanks." i said and with that i turned around and walked towards the door, in a desperate attempt to get the fuck away from her. if i stayed longer in that bathroom, the walls would have probably closed in on me.

𓏲𝄢 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝!