Unforgettable | Kai Cenat

3:2

January 14, 2023

Atlanta, GA

Tori's POV

I had spent the last few days going back and forth on whether this sit-down with Dani was a good idea, but I had made up my mind. Xoie was here, as promised, acting as the mediator between the two of us. It was her idea, after all. She thought we both needed closure-something to move on from the pain. Dani and I had been friends, and while I didn't want that from her anymore, I didn't want us to be enemies either.

I sighed as I took in all the sounds and smells of the café that Xoie had chosen. The ambiance was meant to make this as peaceful as possible, I just hoped it worked.

When I saw Dani walk in, she looked different, like someone who had been carrying the weight of world on her shoulders. I could see the exhaustion in her eyes as she sat on the other side of Xoie, a forced smile on her face. Actually being so close to her again made my adrenaline spike as my heartrate sped up. The tension in the air was thick, but Xoie kept things grounded with her calm presence.

"Okay," Xoie began, her voice steady. "We're here for one reason: to get everything out in the open. No interruptions, no holding back. This is about finding closure, not necessarily healing the relationship. Just be honest with each other."

I nodded, my hands curled around the cup of coffee in front of me. I had so many thoughts swirling, but I didn't know where to start. Dani cleared her throat before speaking.

"I've been thinking a lot about what happened between us," she started, her voice low. "And I know it hurt you, Tori. I know that. I just want to be honest with you."

I listened intently as she spoke, her words measured and calm. She wasn't defensive, but there was a vulnerability in her voice I hadn't expected.

"There's a lot you don't know about me and my past. Being your friend was harder than I ever let on in a sense that it was triggering. But I tried anyway because I really did-do love you.," she admitted, her eyes downcast. "And after everything with Amber and Nova getting in my head. I kind of lost it. I became obsessed with protecting you from things that weren't even mine to protect. And I pushed too hard."

I sat in silence taking in her words. I wasn't sure what I had expected her to say, but it wasn't this. I understood trauma, and things it could make you do. It didn't make me want to jump in her arms and call her bestie, but I appreciated her giving me some perspective.

"I understand that, Dani," I said softly, trying to keep my voice steady. "But it's no excuse. You let your fear and your trauma control you. Instead of involving yourself in my life, you should've focusing on managing your own. You were too wrapped up in me to even have one, I mean your life revolved around nails and being my friend-you should've wanted more than that."

"And both were like a full-time job Tori." She retorted.

"I didn't beg you to be there! I understand I come with a lot, but nobody would have faulted you for protecting your peace or your mental." I snapped slightly.

"Let's try to stay calm guys." Xoie intervened, glancing between the two of us.

I sighed before continuing, "Look. I don't hate you, Dani. But I could never accept someone back into my life who thinks control and manipulation are the only ways to love and protect me."

There was a long pause, the air thick with emotion. I could see the pain in Dani's eyes, and it mirrored what I had felt when I realized how deep the rift had gone.

"I understand." Dani finally said, her voice shaky. "I hope you know I'm truly sorry. I just want you to know that I'm happy for you, Tori. I'm glad you and Kai worked things out. You two are strong. I see it. And I'm proud of you. You deserve all the happiness in the world."

"Thank you," I whispered, my heart lighter than it had been in weeks. "I want you to be happy too. I really do."

And with that, our friendship concluded. The tension had seemed to lift, and there was no hatred from either side. This was just what was best for both of us. On the ride home, I was glad to feel like that had been productive.

Once to the house, I got straight into Kai's bed and went to sleep. As freeing as that had been, it had exhausted me. I wasn't sure how long I was asleep before I woke up to the sound of screaming-raging more like it.

"What the hell is that?! No! NO!!" he shouted in frustration, clearly losing his mind over whatever game he was playing.

With my heart now racing, I got out of the bed and glanced around the corner to see him streaming and playing a game. I shook my head and tossed a pillow at him, making him turn around to look at me.

He removed his headset before speaking, "My bad. I woke you up?"

"What do you think?" I replied, giving him a look. He could have woken me up when he first got back, especially if he knew he was streaming.

"My bad. Say hey to the chat bae."

I waved and gave a soft smile, seeing Kai's face light up as it usually did as his chat started flooded with comments about me.

"Alright get back in the bed, you look too good to be on stream right now."

I chuckled, "You're crazy." But I obliged and made my way back to his bed.

I was content, listening to him stream and scroll through my phone. I knew as soon as he got off, he would be eager to hear about how things went earlier. I was glad that I'd be able to give him good news, and that we could keep moving forward in our journey together. This time, with no interruptions and minimal roadblocks.