As Kavina sipped her wine, her mind replayed Kilian's confession.
Why did he do it? Was it just a mistake or did he never truly care about me?
She remembered their kiss, the way Kilian's eyes sparkled when he looked at her.
Was it all a lie?
Kavina felt a pang of sadness. She thought they shared something real.
How could he sleep with someone else and then tell me about it like it's nothing?
Kavina's anger simmered, threatening to boil over.
Does he expect me to forgive him? Just like that?
Laila's voice broke into Kavina's thoughts. "Girl, you okay? You've been quiet."
Kavina forced a smile. "Yeah, just tired."
Laila nodded sympathetically. "We can leave soon."
But Kavina shook her head. "No, I'm fine. Let's stay."
As the night wore on, Kavina's emotions seesawed between anger and sadness.
She couldn't shake the feeling that Kilian had shattered their relationship and her trust for him.
Should I confront him again?
Can I ever trust him?
Is it time to walk away?
Kavina's inner turmoil continued, hidden behind a mask of calm.
_________________________________________
Kavina hugged Naveah and Laila tight, the warmth of their embrace a fleeting comfort.
"Everything okay?" Naveah asked, concern etched on her face like a delicate crack in porcelain.
"Yeah, I'm good," Kavina lied, forcing a smile that faltered.
Laila chimed in, "What's going on with you and Kilian?" her voice laced with empathy.
Kavina sighed, the sound escaping her lips like a deflated balloon.
"He slept with somebody else. I don't know how to feel," Kavina admitted.
Naveah's expression softened, her eyes welling up with tears.
Laila's eyes narrowed, her brow furrowed in indignation.
Mosiah joined in, "I'm so sorry. That hurts like a knife to the soul."
Malik spoke up, "That's fucked up."
Theo nodded silently, his expression sympathetic, his eyes cast downward.
Kavina continued, "We weren't dating, but...I don't know."
Her friends exchanged sympathetic glances.
As she turned to leave, Kamiri's gaze caught hers, his eyes locking onto hers like magnets.
Kavina looked away, avoiding Kilian's piercing stare.
Kilian's voice followed her. "Kavina, wait."
Kavina ignored him, walking out of the party.
The drive home blurred together – Atlanta's neon lights reflecting off the windshield, the hum of the radio, the whizz of passing cars.
Kavina turned onto her street, signaled, and parked in her designated spot.
She killed the engine, grabbed her purse, and stepped out.
Heels clicking on the pavement, Kavina walked into her apartment.
She locked the door behind her, kicked off her shoes, and shed her party attire.
In the shower, Kavina let the warm water wash over her.
Tears streamed down her face as she lathered her body with coconut oil soap.
She sobbed, "Why am I crying?" her voice echoing off the tile.
After showering, Kavina wrapped herself in a plush towel.
She applied lavender body butter, the scent calming her.
Dressing in comfy booty shorts and a sports bra, Kavina poured herself a glass of wine.
PartyNextDoor's "No Chill" filled the room.
Her phone buzzed. Kilian's name flashed on the screen.
"Can we talk?" Kilian asked.
"I need space," Kavina replied.
"For how long?" Kilian pressed.
"However long it suits me."
Kavina hung up and blocked his number.
Her phone buzzed again. Texts from her friends:
Nevah: "We're here for you."
Laila: "Call us tomorrow."
Mosiah: "Keep your head up."
Malik: "Love you."
Theo: "You good?"
Kavina replied: "Yeah, thanks guys."
Then, a text from Kamiri:
"You good?"
Kavina hesitated before responding:
"I'm trying."
Kamiri's next text surprised her:
"I can pull up."
Kavina called him.
"What do you mean pull up?" she asked.
"I want to see you," Kamiri explained.
"But your brother..." Kavina trailed off.
Kamiri asked, "What about him?"
Kavina chuckled. "Yeah, what about him?"
"You can pull up," Kavina said.
"See you soon," Kamiri replied.
As Kavina waited, her mind wandered.
The doorbell broke the silence.
Kavina's heart skipped a beat.
She opened the door to Kamiri's concerned face.
"Hey," he said softly.
Kavina stepped aside, letting him in.
"Thanks for coming," Kavina said.
"No problem," Kamiri replied.
They settled onto the couch, the night stretching before them.
Kamiri asked, "You want to talk about it?"
Kavina sighed. "I don't know."
Kamiri nodded. "Whenever you're ready."
