If I Stayed | Christian Yu

CHAPTER TWELVE - THE SETUP

Continued from the pervious chapter setup;

It was late.

Christian had disappeared into the kitchen to heat up leftovers, while Malik lounged on the studio couch, phone in hand, smirk growing with every message.

Kaylani [10:41 PM]:

Don't tell me y'all are still working. It's a Friday.

Malik [10:41 PM]:

You say that like your presence wouldn't make this the best studio session of my life.

Kaylani:

You're cute when you try.

Malik:

Try? Girl I am the vibe. Pull up.

Kaylani:

Why would I do that?

Malik:

Because you're bored. Because I'm charming. Because you miss me.

Kaylani:

Hmm. Tempting.

He grinned, tapping fast.

Malik:

I dare you.

Kaylani [typing...]

Then the reply came in with a little devil emoji:

Bet.

Malik chuckled, tossing his phone down on the couch.

"Yo, Christian!" he called toward the kitchen. "Might've invited some inspiration over."

"Please tell me you didn't just text an ex again," Christian called back.

"Nah. Better."

He didn't elaborate.

Didn't even ask who she might be with.

Didn't know he should.

[Aaliyah.]

The car glowed with warm LED dashboard light and the soft hum of a playlist that felt too good for a quick hangout.

Kaylani drove like she owned the road - one hand on the wheel, the other adjusting the volume, lip gloss shimmering in the rearview.

Her phone buzzed with a new message, and she smirked without even checking it.

Aaliyah side-eyed her from the passenger seat.

"You're smiling like that's not suspicious."

"What smile?" Kaylani asked innocently.

"That 'I'm up to something and you're coming with me' smile."

"Maybe I am."

Aaliyah raised a brow. "Where are we going again?"

"Christian's."

Aaliyah blinked. "Christian's?"

"Malik invited me. You needed to get out of your head. I connected the dots."

Aaliyah leaned back, crossing her arms. "You could've warned me."

"Would you have come?"

"No."

"Exactly."

She had a point.

Aaliyah sighed, staring out the window as the city lights zipped past.