Tell Me Lies

Sleepover

It's been 6 hours since we've eaten Aiyannas delicious pancakes but we still haven't left the dining room.

The three of us sit on the chairs , laughing and eating snacks.

I can feel Aiyana's excitement buzzing in the air as we talked about everything and nothing. Just as I am about to take a sip of my drink, my phone buzzed.

The name "Dakarai" flashed on the screen, and I excuse myself, walking into the living room to answer.

His voice is smooth and easy on the other end, asking if I'd like to come over to his house for the night.

The offer hung in the air for a moment, and I can't  help but smile at the spontaneity of it.

"Sure," I say, surprised at how naturally the words came out.

After hanging up, I walk back into the kitchen, and Aiyana's eyes locked onto mine immediately

She leans forward with that mischievous grin of hers, knowing something had just happened.

"What did he say?" she asked, practically bouncing in her seat.

"He wants me to come over to his place for the night," I reply, already heading toward the bathroom, needing a moment to process what I just agreed to.

I take a deep breath as I close the bathroom door behind me, leaning against the cool wood. The sound of Aiyana's voice and the lighthearted chatter in the kitchen still echoes in my ears. I don't  know why I am so nervous. It wasn't like this was anything new. It wasn't like I had never been around Dakarai before—hell, we were dating for four years. But this was different.That love was young. There is something about the way he looked at me, the way he said my name, that makes my heart race just a little faster.

I try to shake off the feeling as I slip off my shoes and started rifling through my bag. I wasn't going to overthink it. I am just going to go, have a good time, and enjoy the night. The weight of everything else—the confusion with Omari, the unanswered questions, the past I was trying to outrun—can wait for a little while longer. Tonight, I was going to be in the moment.

I stepped out of the bathroom and made my way back to the kitchen, where Aiyana was practically vibrating in her seat. She'd been waiting for me to return, and I could see that eager curiosity written all over her face.

"You're really going, huh?" she asked, eyes wide. She didn't even try to hide the smile tugging at her lips.

I nodded, grabbing my purse off the counter. "Yeah, I'm going." The words felt strange but good coming out of my mouth. It wasn't just an invitation—it was a step. A step toward something that didn't involve the complications of my past.

Aiyana squealed, her excitement bubbling over. "This is gonna be so fun, Z! Don't hold back tonight, okay? Go for it."

I laughed softly, my nerves returning with a vengeance, but I pushed them aside. "I'm just going to relax. No pressure."

She raised an eyebrow. "That's what they all say. Just make sure you have fun." She winked, clearly sensing the shift in the air. I wasn't sure if it was excitement or uncertainty, but I was ready to find out.

I waved a little and slipped out the door, letting the cool evening air hit my skin as I made my way to the car. It was a short drive to Dakarai's place, but with every passing minute, the anticipation seemed to grow. By the time I parked in front of his apartment, I felt a knot in my stomach, but it wasn't a bad knot. More like the fluttering excitement of something new. Something different.

I exited the car and walked toward the front door, feeling the familiar rush of nerves flood my veins. When he opened the door, his smile greeted me like a warm hug.

"Glad you came," he said, stepping aside so I could enter.

His apartment was cozy, filled with dim lighting and the scent of something sweet in the air. We settled onto the couch, both cracking open a bottle of wine and the evening unfolded effortlessly. We talked, laughed, and watched a movie, the alcohol loosening my inhibitions and making me forget about everything else. The sound of his deep voice and the way he smiled at me when our eyes met was intoxicating.

Hours slipped by, the movie forgotten as we ended up playing cards, and I couldn't help but enjoy the ease of it all. There was no pressure, no expectations—just two people having a good time. But as the night wore on, things began to shift. His hand brushed mine, lingering just a little longer than needed. His eyes met mine with an intensity I hadn't seen before, and my heart raced again.

I wasn't sure how it happened, but suddenly, we were closer—his lips grazing mine, soft and slow at first. And then, as if something inside me snapped, I kissed him back with the same urgency he was giving me. It wasn't just about the kiss anymore. It was about letting go. Letting go of the doubts, the guilt, the constant second-guessing.

One kiss led to another, and before I knew it, we were tangled up on the couch, hands exploring, breath quickening. I could feel the heat between us, an undeniable physical connection. But even in the heat of the moment, a small part of me couldn't help but wonder if I was running from something—if I was trying to escape the ache in my chest that had been there ever since Omari walked back into my life.

But tonight, in Dakarai's arms, I wasn't thinking about Omari. I wasn't thinking about anything except the way Dakarai made me feel—alive, seen, and maybe even just a little bit desired.

We didn't talk much after that, just let the night carry us wherever it would. And as I lay in his arms afterward, feeling the warmth of his body next to mine, I didn't know what would come of it. But for the first time in a while, I felt okay. Just okay. And for me, that was enough.

I stayed at Dakarai's place for a couple of days, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to forget about the weight of the world. It wasn't perfect, but it was exactly what I needed—a brief escape from all the confusion. We kept things light, enjoying each other's company without any pressure, and I couldn't help but appreciate how easy it was to be around him. For a moment, I didn't think about Omari, or Aiyana, or any of the mess I'd left behind. It was just Dakarai and me, and that was enough.

But all good things come to an end, and by the third evening, I found myself packing my things, the realization that I'd have to face reality settling in. I give kai a kiss on the cheek and promise him I'll text him soon.

As I make my way back to Aiyana's house, the drive felt longer than usual. Im not sure what to expect when I get there, but something told me it wouldn't be easy.

When I pulled into the driveway, the familiar sight of Aiyana's house didn't bring the usual comfort. Instead, a pit formed in my stomach, a foreboding feeling that something was about to shift. I walk up to the door, half-expecting to hear Aiyana's voice on the other side, ready to greet me with her usual warmth and excitement.

But instead, when I open the door, I was greeted by the last person I ever expected to see.

Omari.

My breath caught in my throat, and for a moment, I stood frozen in the doorway, staring at him. He is leaning against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze locked onto me. There was a familiar intensity in his eyes, something that reminded me of all the feelings I'd tried to push away.

"Zaire," he says, his voice low, the sound sending a ripple of tension through the air. "We need to talk."

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