Sensibilities | Deetranada AU

dissipate

Continuous
(Nova POV)

Nova stands in shock as Dee storms out of the room. JI wipes Nia's face, her tears still coming as she moves her hair, trying to hide her face. 'I'm 'bout to put this in the group real quick,' Roscoe says with a laugh. Jae snatches his phone, finding the video and deleting it. They bicker amongst themselves as everyone else tries to determine the best thing to do.

'I'mma go check on nugget,' Key says, rushing out. Suddenly, Nia turns back on the offense, turning her target to Nova. 'Why'd you let her do that, Nov?' She yells at him, still crying. 'Not my job Nia, stop talkin' shit all the time if you not gonna back it up,' he replies, annoyed at her attempt to blame him.

'You always protect her, what about me?' she pleads. JI stands behind her, his initial confusion at her outburst turning into anger. 'You know how to take care of yourself, I'm not a bodyguard,' he further explains. Why am I even doing this? He turns, picking up his things and starting toward the door. 'You're such a piece of shit, Nov!' she yells to his back. 'Feeling's mutual,' he mumbles, opening the door and starting out for Dee. 

Peach catches up to him. 'You can't be sayin' that man, she just mad,' she explains. Nova shakes his head, refusing to buy it. 'Nah, she meant it. It's whatever.' Long as she stays the hell away from me, she can say whatever she wants. They reach the front of the restaurant, Dee nowhere in sight. 'She over there,' Peach says, pointing at a car. Dee and Key stand next to the car, her hands moving quickly as Key tries to calm her down. 

He starts to walk to her but Peach stops him. 'Go in the other one, she might pop yo ass next.' He pauses, considering the possibility before waiting back as she goes to the first car. 'Car's here,' Roscoe yells from behind, surprising the family passing by.

****

Nova, Mani and Roscoe sit comfortably on the ride back. 'Shit, I ain't seen a good girl fight in a minute,' Mani says with a smile. Roscoe cackles. 'Dee was like bop, ba-bop bop BOP!' he says, imitating the fight. Nova tries to ignore their antics, his mind going to what he saw, a girl pushed over the edge. She went crazy on her, man. 

'You record it?' Roscoe asks. Mani nods, pulling out his phone. 'Not the arguin' part but the rest, yeah.' I wouldn't've stopped, ain't no way I would stop after all that. 'Send it to me,' Roscoe starts. 'Jae know she gon' wanna see it again later.'

He hears the audio from the fight playing, getting the attention of the Uber driver. 'Everything okay back there?' he asks. Mani silences the video, chuckling to himself. 'Yeah, we good.' They say nothing for a moment, the car silent. Nova's mind wanders to Dee and her expression as she stormed out of the room, almost peaceful. He's pulled from it when his name is called.

'Aye Nov, betta tell ya girl to protect her neck next time,' Mani says with a laugh. 'That's not my girl,' he says calmly, the entrance to the hotel coming into view. Roscoe pulls himself near the front seats, his face in between the driver and Nova. 'What you just say?' The driver grips the steering wheel tighter, his voice tight as he speaks. 'Sorry, do you mind putting your seatbelt back on?' 'Huh? Oh, yeah, my bad.' He sits back, clicking his seatbelt in place as they pull into the entrance of the hotel.

Nova quickly gets out, the other car already empty. He spies Dee standing by herself, her headphones on. He approaches her cautiously, determining if she's still upset or not. Doesn't seem like it but you never know with her. He stands by her, shooting a small smile when she looks his way. She returns it, pulling her headphones down.