Sensibilities | Deetranada AU

rumination

Later that Afternoon

Nova leans against the wall, checking his watch for what feels like the millionth time. Fuck is he? The halls are nearly empty with few stragglers rushing out or heading to after-school practices. Finally, he hears a familiar laugh. Of course, he couldn't just walk alone. Key and Dee round the corner, in the middle of a story that both of them can't stop laughing at. Nova watches, grimacing.

As they approach him, he tries to hide it, putting on what he hopes is a smile. Key nods, dapping him up. 'Sup man', he says. 'Been waiting on you, I got practice at 3 so we gotta move.' 'Aight bet', Key replies. He gives Dee a big hug, her smile bright as they talk in whispered tones. Nova watches, her smile drawing him in. I'on't get it man, she can't even look at me. As if on cue, she catches his eye and her expression goes blank. 'See you later Dee', he says, hopeful. Her eyebrow raises and she scoffs. 'Bye meatball!' she yells to Key, smiling brightly.

She heads off in the other direction and he watches. She pulls up her headphones, throwing on her hood and exits the building, not even looking back. 'Nov..Nov..NOV'. He snaps out of it, turning to face Key. 'What man?' 'Should be asking you, you the one staring at her.'

'So?' Key laughs. 'So what really happened in there?' Nova shakes his head, reminiscing. I got my ass handed to me that's what. 'No coming back, she kept bucking at me. I'm trying to apologize and she didn't wanna hear it.' Key nods, listening intently. 'She was like, I'm no better than them 'cause I came at her for no reason.' You did', Key interjects. Nova rolls his eyes, continuing. 'I just don't get it, man. She cool with everybody else, even JI and he be saying reckless shit all the time but she can't even stand to be near me let alone be nice to me. You saw what she did just now.'

Key shakes his head, patting Nova on the shoulder. 'She good people man. You just gotta come correct.' 'I tried! And when I tried to show her I wasn't like that, she gets mad for me helping her!' 'Why would she want help from somebody that did that same thing?' Oh my god, not this shit again. 'I'm not them, I wouldn't say that stupid shit.'

Key sighs deeply. 'Look man, you ever think you might've hurt her feelings?' Pfft, you would know right? 'Might've or did?', he asks hesitantly. 'That's for her to tell you.' That'll never happen. 'Give her time. Actually get to know her before you start clowning. And chill with the jokes on nugget.' Key daps him up again, about to start off. 'Nugget?' Key laughs. 'Yeah and don't be calling her that either!' He takes off, starting toward the same direction Dee left in. Nugget...I don't like that sound of that.

He turns, aimlessly walking to the gym, his mind racing. Give her time, I can do that. I don't even know why I'm trying to wait on her, she obviously don't care. But that look in the gym, the feeling when I touched her. He closes his eyes, remembering the tingle and the look she gave him. She felt it too. She cares, I know she does.

********

Dee sits across from her mother, fingering the tablecloth as he mom speaks. 'You know these boys, they act like they don't like you when they do. That's what all those little boys used to do to you.' 'That's not what happened Ma. They ain't like me, they just wanted to be assholes,' Dee responds. 'Language.'

Dee ignores her. 'And even still, being rude and mean to me ain't gon' get my attention, what I look like rewarding that. I actually respect myself now and I deserve better than that.' 'Uh huh, you tell 'em Dee!', Nuz yells from the other room. She and her mother laugh, shaking their heads at his silliness.

'I'm not saying you don't deserve better, you damn well do. I'm saying hear him out. You wouldn't be so worked up if you didn't have feelings for him.' Dee blushes. 'It's not even like that', she starts. 'He too sensitive.' Her mother smirks. 'Yeah, I bet.'

Nuz enters, dribbling his basketball. 'She know she do, the only time she complains about some boy is when she like him.' 'Shut up man, matter of fact, why you even here. Ain't you supposed to be at practice?' He tosses his ball in the air, pretending to shoot. 'Cancelled. We meeting up with y'all varsity to play. Nova gon' be there.' Dee frowns. He ain't got a reason to be there.

'You didn't know your boyfriend was on the team? Tsk tsk, shouldn't be moving so fast.' Dee stands and smacks the ball from his hands. It bounces out of the room but he doesn't follow, motioning to their mother. 'Diamond,' she starts. 'It's cool, ma. I got you sis, should I say you dreamed about him or you can't stop talking about him.'

Dee charges him and they start play fighting, roughly of course. She tries to put him in the headlock but he easily slips out, starting to tickle her. She starts laughing, her breath catching as she struggles to stand, falling to the floor with him following. 'S-st-stop Nuz! Maaa!!' 'That's enough guys, chill out.' He stops, putting out his hand to help her up.

'You say anything to him not about the game and you gon' wake up bald,' she threatens. 'You mean like you already do,' he says laughing, dodging her fists. 'Bye Nuz!' their mother says as she steps between them, pushing him toward the other room. 'Let your sister handle it.' 'Aight ma, aight, stop pushing me.' She does, giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek. 'Be back before dinner.'

Dee sits back down, her mind in a million places. I didn't know he did anything else except rap. I wonder if he's good? He has to be if he's on varsity. I should go to a game--oh my god no. Stop right now. He mother sits beside her, taking her hand in hers. 'Give him a chance to make it up to you.' Dee looks down, taking her hand back. 'You didn't say that in Baltimore.'

'That's not the same Dee.' 'Feels like it.' They sit quietly, Dee's fingers moving towards her jeans, tracing her thighs. Touching the slightly raised skin sends a shiver down her spine, her eyes closing, remembering. Her mother takes her hands again with one hand, holding her face with the other. 'Those kids were trying to break you because they're broken. Fuck those other kids.' Dee looks away, her eyes starting to well. 'I know it hurts, it still hurts me. But don't let someone who's actually trying to make things right get pushed away because you're afraid.'

A tear falls and her mother gently brushes it away. 'You're strong Diamond, unbreakable. Always remember that.' She nods, falling into her mother's arms. 'I hate this,' she whispers. 'I know baby.' Her mother kisses her forehead holding her tightly. 'Take your time. Don't make him wait forever though.' She pulls away, looking her in the eyes. 'He doesn't deserve that either.' Dee nods. 'Now come back here.' Her mother pulls her tight and smothers her with loud kisses.

Dee laughs, weakly trying to get away. 'Maaaa! Maaaa!!' 'Nope, I need more!' She continues and Dee laughs, old memories slowly falling away.

Hello again lovelies ❤ As promised, a short update for you guys. So, who do you think will crack first and apologize, Dee or Nova? Better yet, who SHOULD apologize first?

As always, comment and vote and I look forward to hearing your feedback!

-bdk