The smell of Chipotle filled the room as everyone gathered around the kitchen island, unwrapping burritos and bowls. Even though they were laughing and talking, Imani could feel the tension lingering from the live earlier, sitting heavy between her and Dd.
She pushed the food around in her bowl, barely eating, her mind spinning. "Why am I even tripping? It's not like it matters." But it did. The whole thing with Amara popped into her head every few minutes, and no matter how much she tried to shake it, she couldn't help but wonder. Dd hadn't said anything since, and that made it worse.
Imani glanced up and saw Dd casually leaning against the counter, eating like nothing had changed. His calm expression almost made her second-guess whether she was overthinking this whole situation.
Lena, Jade, Notti, and Ddot sat around the kitchen, their conversation still buzzing with energy. But as soon as they noticed the subtle distance between Imani and Dd, the 4 teasing started again.
"Y'all really had the live buggin earlier" Notti said, grinning as he scrolled through his phone. "The way they were blowin up the chat, they swear y'all sum serious."
"Deadass" Jade added, giving Imani a look. "They were going off like, 'Are they together or what?' The comments were wild."
Lena smirked, nudging Imani. "You sure there's nothin more goin on? 'Cause y'all were mad quiet for a minute there."
Imani shot a look at her friends, trying to play it off. "Y'all reaching" she muttered, shoving another forkful of rice into her mouth, but it tasted like cardboard with all the thoughts swirling in her head.
"You say that now" Ddot chimed in, grinning.
Dd finally chimed in, his voice low and smooth as he glanced over at her. "They jus like to talk, don't pay it no mind."
"Mmhm." Imani forced a small smile, but her nerves were doing cartwheels. She kept her eyes on her food, not wanting to meet his gaze and give anything away.
Notti snickered, setting his phone down. "Whatever y'all say. Just know we already knowin."
Imani glared at him, ready to clap back, but she knew it wouldn't help her case. Instead, she just shook her head, biting her lip to hold in whatever words were ready to spill out.
Dd seemed to notice the change in her energy because he wiped his hands on a napkin and came over, taking a seat next to her. He leaned in, voice quieter now, so only she could hear.
"Yo, Mani," he said softly. "We cool, right?"
Imani hesitated. Her heart pounded as she tried to figure out what to say. She didn't want to start something in front of everyone, but she couldn't pretend like nothing was bothering her.
"Can we talk?" she said, barely loud enough for him to hear.
Dd raised an eyebrow, glancing at their friends who were still joking around, but then nodded. "Yea fasho."
They stood up together, ignoring the curious looks from their friends, and stepped out onto the small balcony connected to the kitchen. The cool September air hit Imani, making her wish she'd brought her hoodie.
Dd leaned against the railing, his arms crossed as he looked at her. "Alright, wassup?" His tone was still casual, like he wasn't about to explain anything, and Imani's frustration bubbled up again.
She didn't even know where to start. The live? Amara? Or the way he'd been acting around her all day? She crossed her arms too, leaning back against the wall as she tried to steady her thoughts.
"You gonna tell me what's really goin on?" she asked, her voice quiet but firm.
Dd's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something guarded. He shrugged, looking off toward the city skyline. "Ain't much to talk about, Mani."
Imani's stomach twisted. Of course he's not gonna say anything. She should've known. He was good at keeping things cool, never letting people see too much. But that only made her more confused.
She swallowed hard, pushing past the lump in her throat. "What about Amara?"
Dd turned to face her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What about her?"
Imani hesitated, feeling her pulse quicken. He's really not gonna explain?
"Look, I just..." she started, but then stopped herself. She didn't even know what she was asking for. An explanation? Some kind of reassurance? Instead, she shook her head, letting out a sigh. "Never mind."
Dd gave her a long look, his expression unreadable. Then, in one smooth move, he stepped closer, closing the space between them. Imani's heart pounded in her chest as he leaned in, his lips brushing the top of her head in a soft, almost platonic kiss.
But it didn't feel platonic at all.
"Chill, Mani," he murmured, his voice low and teasing. "You be in yo head too much."
Imani froze, her thoughts scrambling as she tried to process what just happened. The kiss, the closeness, the way he said her name—it all made her question everything again. Was this just him playing around? Or was there something more to it?
Before she could say anything, Dd pulled back, smirking at her as he turned to head back inside. "You comin?"
Imani blinked, her brain still trying to catch up. What the hell just happened?
She followed him back inside, her head spinning with a million questions but no answers.
