Sensibilities | Deetranada AU

covetous

That Same Evening
(Nova POV)

Nova, Jae and Mani stand with their group, the noise level dwindling as the final groups take their pictures. He's let his hair down, shaking it and massaging his scalp. 'All that damn hair,' Jae says with a laugh, hitting pieces of it. 'What you think of blonde?' he asks. She makes a face before considering it. 'Just do the tips, but not too blonde, like golden.' I wonder if she'll like it. He looks around, finding her surrounded by a group of preteens, her arm movements animated as she bosses them around.

Jae follows her gaze and smirks. 'Dee out there being a mini Latto.' He laughs, her group actually listening attentively. He watches one of them start to speak out and even without hearing her, he knows that she shut him down because he looks away with a frown. 'Aaw, she gon' make 'em cry!' Jae exclaims. 'Nah,' Mani says, having joined them. 'She ain't scary enough.' 

'If you've already taken your group shot, go ahead and find a seat,' JD's assistant Jny says over the microphone. He and Jae make their way toward the chairs. He saves a spot for Nia, waiting for her to find him. As he looks around, he notices Mani standing next to Dee, whispering in her ear. She giggles and playfully smacks his arm, letting him get close yet again and continue whispering. Oh, word? 

Nova stands, pretending to walk around as Mani starts to the chairs. 'Ayo, Mani,' he calls out. Mani meets him halfway, a smile on his face. 'What you smilin' for?' he asks, hoping for a different response. 'Nothin', Dee crazy.' He nods, his brow furrowing. 'Yeah...y'all been talking?' Mani's face scrunches. 'What? Uh, yeah, why?' 

'Nothing,' Nova starts. 'Just askin'. Didn't think y'all talked that much.' He stares at Mani, his eyes filling with anger as they both refuse to look away. Finally, Mani chuckles. 'Oh shit, hahaha. You funny, man.' Nova refuses to relent, still staring. 'Before or after?' 

Mani sucks his teeth. 'Does it matter? Yo girl over there,' he says, pointing at Nia. 'Dee not tied down to nobody so chill out.' He starts off but stops. 'Oh, and for ya information, after.' Mani smirks as he walks away and Nova watches, his nostrils flaring. Aight, we playin' games now. He turns and looks at Dee, taking pictures with her group. You not gettin' away that easy, babygirl.

He makes his way back to the sitting area, Nia standing with Ekko. 'Sit with me babe,' she says with a smile. He nods, putting on a smile for her and getting new seats. 

********

Nova sits on the balcony, the cool air rustling his hair. He sits against the exterior wall, his fingers tapping his leg, his mind focused on one thing. Can't believe she sittin' up there entertainin' him like nothin' happened. She ain't even bother talking to me all day.

He taps his head a few times against the wall, as if it would jog the best thing to do. He sighs, his head dropping. I gotta do somethin'...I mean, I know she wanna be friends but damn man. He takes out his phone, scrolling to her messages, the last one abrupt, void of feelings. Can't hurt nothin' to try. As least I can figure out what's goin' on with Mani, throw in a shit word or somethin'. He smirks, a plan forming in his head.

Hello again lovelies 💚 A bonus chapter for you guys, short and sweet but setting the tone for things to come. Nova can't seem to let Dee live her best life. Will he be able to get back in her good graces? And what is this plan he has? 

The next update is coming Wednesday and it'll include another bonus chapter. As always, keep commenting, voting and sharing!

-bdk