Sensibilities | Deetranada AU

reliance (1)

A Few Weeks Later

Dee, Key and Nova laugh loudly, their voices carrying across the parking lot. Dee continues after they stop, caught in the moment. Key and Nova look to each other confused. 'It wasn't that funny,' Nova says, shaking his head. 'Definitely not funnier than them beady beads on the side of your head,' Key adds.

She stops laughing immediately. 'That's not even funny bruh.' She self- consciously rubs her shaved sides, clearly overdue for a cut. 'Better than that rat's nest you tryna pass off as curls.' Nova laughs again, standing by the car waiting for a rebuttal.

'You tryna start?' Key asks, a gleam in his eye. 'I'm not 'bout to play with you Keon.' 'I'm not playing either Di--.' She punches him, squaring up for a fight. 'Watch ya mouth now!' He chuckles, brushing her hands out of the way. 'Exactly, you'n want none.'

Key shakes his head, motioning for Nova to unlock the doors. Nova opens them and they start to get in. Dee takes the aux cord and music starts. They all vibe out, rapping along. 'Aye, drop me off first,' Key asks. 'Why you keep leaving me meatball?' She says pouting. 'You act like I'm not gonna see you later.' 'So, maybe I wanted to hang out.' 'Next time, nugget.'

They reach Key's house relatively quickly. 'Bye Meatball,' Dee says sadly. She gives him a hug and he begins tickling her. 'No--Key--hahahahaha--staaahhpppp.' He does, pulling her for another hug. 'Aight man, I'll catch y'all.' Nova nods and Dee re-enters the car.

It's quiet when they pull off, the music lower. 'What you 'bout to get into?' he asks. She shakes her head. 'Probably sleep. Not really tryna go home though.' 'Then come with me.' She turns slightly, a smile growing. 'Come where?' 'To the studio.'

****

The studio is simple but clean, neat. The table is full of equipment with more leaning against a corner. This waaayyy more than my phone and Garageband. She tries not to be overwhelmed by the new environment. Nova's hand falls on her shoulder, reassuring her as the man behind the computer stands and smiles.

He rushes to hug Nova, their similar facial structures leaning toward family. Nova turns to introduce them. 'This is Dee. Dee, this is my uncle Ekko. He does music too.' 'Nice to meet you,' she replies. 'You too. I heard you spit, you gettin' in the booth too?' A wave of panic rushes over her. Oh nooooooo. 'I'll just watch this time.'

He shrugs, 'Next time.' 'Yeah, I got you.' She sits comfortably on the couch in the back, waiting for them to start. Nova gets set up, leaving his book on the table. He starts and she's surprised. Why couldn't I battle this guy instead? It's full of emotion but still goes hard, different from the cheap shots he normally throws. She can't help but bop to the beat.

He finishes and Ekko cheers. 'That was it.' Damn, one take. 'You like it?' It takes a moment before she realizes he was speaking to her. 'Yeah, it was dope.' Nova smiles brightly causing her to mimic him. 'Come here,' he says, motioning her into the booth. 'Nah, I never been in one.' 'Then you need to get in there, feel it out,' Ekko adds. She hesitates but goes.

It's a tight fit but she manages to squeeze past Nova to a somewhat less tight place. Breathe Dee, it's not that small. Her heartbeat starts to thump in her ears and she can feel her breath quicken. Okay, it's kind of small. She looks around, the walls seeming to close in faster than possible. Too small, I can't--. Nova looks to his uncle who nods, stepping out of the room.