Sensibilities | Deetranada AU

amends

A Week Later

(A/N: Nova's POV.)

Nova approaches the table packed with everyone huddling around a speaker. 'Wassup,' he says, squeezing on the end of the booth. They all say some variation of hello, except Dee. She nods in his direction, their eyes catching for a moment before she looks away. Sigh, that's better than yesterday.

'Key, make her come', Peach pleads. Dee groans. 'He can't make me do nothin'!' Dee exclaims to their laughter. 'I gotta watch my brother anyway.' 'He's like fourteen, right?' Nova asks. She glares and he immediately regrets it. 'Whatever, I'm busy. Got stuff to do.' 'You flaw', Peach replies shaking her head.

'Chill man, y'all harassing her 'bout it every day.' Latto adds, attempting to defend her. They mumble, not wanting to cross Latto. 'You not walking with me then.' Dee asks. Key shakes his head. 'Ugh, you suck!' 'I can take you.' She whips her head in the direction of his voice. She stares momentarily before frowning. 'Nah, you good big fella.'

He nods, biting his tongue. It's cool, give her time right. 'I'm kidding nugget, I got you.' Key says, tossing a fry toward her. Are you serious? Nova looks to him but is surprised when he winks at him. A fry flies by his head and they all laugh, a small food fight starting between them.

****

Nova peers around the corner, seeing Dee sitting alone on the brick half-wall. She's tuning the world out, her eyes closed, head bopping. He steps back, taking a deep breath. He takes out his phone, checking his reflection, fluffing up his curls and checking his teeth for food. Ooouu. He laughs to himself. Just stick to the plan.

He steps out and starts toward her, pumping himself up every step. I got this. It's just Dee, nothing to be worried about. Her eyes draw him in. Nothing..to be worried--. His foot catches on the brick outlay and he stumbles. He hears her start to cackle and immediately turns red. Got dammit. He recovers, resisting looking at her as he continues to approach her.

She tries to stop, covering her mouth but her shoulders continue to shake. 'Guess I messed that up, right?' She nods, taking off her headphones. 'Try again next time.' She finally stops laughing, clearing her throat. 'You seen Key?'

He hesitates, looking away. Say it! 'Yeah he uh, um.' He clears his throat, her eyebrow raising at his lack of words. 'He said to tell nugget he not coming and to ride with that pineapple head ass nigga.'

****

Nova shakes his head, his hands miming their motion. 'Man, I ain't saying that shit.' 'Just say it. You want her to ride, right?', Key asks. Nova nods. 'Aight then, you say that, she gonna laugh.' 'You don't know that though.' 'Trust me, chicken nugget gon' laugh.' Chicken nugget? 'You always tryna call her food, you gon' call her a snack then just do it.' Key laughs. 'Nah man that's what you tryna call her.' Nova tries not to smile, rubbing his hands together. 'Anyway, she gon' laugh and then...'

****

Dee laughs, covering her face again. Nova starts to redden once again, rubbing his hands together to alleviate his embarrassment. 'He always tryna set something up man,' she finally says, putting her headphones away. 'It's not a problem, I don't mind .' 'How you know where I live?' she asks, slowly bringing her bag to her chest. What? What she- he realizes what she means. 'Oh no, nah not like that. He said you live a few blocks from him and I take him back all the time.'