Keira
"You know what you're wearing tonight Kei?"
Walking through the shopping district in Manhattan, we were doing some light shopping. With today being an off day, Kevin had a club set tonight so I wanted to look for something.
"Not really but I'm sure I can put something together." I shrugged.
"Will the guys be coming as well?" Des then asked.
"Most likely." I answered. "Kevin told me to put everyone's name down, so even if they aren't but decide to meet up with us, their name is there."
"That makes sense." She nodded
"Have y'all ever been to this specific club?" I asked genuinely.
Being from the West Coast, though I've traveled a bit, I've never been to a club in New York. The few times I've been here were business related and even then I did more brunch and dining than clubbing.
"Yeah we have." Candace spoke. "Lust is one of the more popular clubs out here."
"Okay okay." I nodded. "What type of vibe is it would yall say? I checked their social media but it didn't really say much."
"You get a bit of everything where music is concerned. Drinks are a bit pricy but you will enjoy yourself for sure." Princess informed me.
"Okay."
Entering an outlet mall, I made my way Neiman Marcus when I saw it. Walking around a bit, I was able to find a couple options for tonight. The goal of my outfit and flirty and fun. Once I was finished, I met up with the girls.
"Y'all grabbing something to eat here or back at the hotel?" I asked.
"Girl, that hotel food is expensive." Candice said as she fanned her hand at me.
"I don't mind covering it." I shrugged. "At least we'll be good."
All staring at me, I just snickered and shook my head. Telling them let's go, not feeling to walk all the way back to the hotel, I requested a Lyft which came within no time.
"Kei, you sure you want to do that girl." Des asked
"Yeah it's fine. I've had the burger and I honestly want another one."
"Well alright then." We all laughed.
Pulling up to the hotel, we got out and went in. Approaching the front desk, we all scanned the barcode they had for in room service and made our way to the girls room.
"Okay. I think I'll have a pepperoni pizza." Candice said.
"I want to try the burger Keira spoke about." Princess added.
"Me too." Des added.
Telling me what they wanted, I placed the order from my phone as we exited the elevator. With my room being on the same floor but the opposite direction, I went to mine to put my bags down and freshen up. By the time I was finished and making my way up the hall, I saw the room service attendant coming with the small trolley.
"Is that for Room four fifteen?" I asked.
"Yes ma'am." He confirmed.
"Okay great. It's actually going to Room four hundred and three. Where I'm heading to now."
"Ah okay." He nodded and turned around.
Making our way up, I called Princess so she could open the door. Once she did, we simply walked in. Taking the booklet from him, I signed off on the bill and left a tip before he left.
"Wait? Did we order all of this?" Candice asked.
"Yeah plus some extra stuff I ordered for us." I said as I got my burger and fries.
Letting everyone take what they wanted, what remained was to be shared amongst us.
"Candice, I got you a burger by the way."
"Really?"
"Yeah." I laughed before biting into mine.
"Oh oh! Look the foodie coming out." Princess teased as she got it.
Sitting there, eating our food along with the other stuff, we conversed and joked. This was new to me as I wasn't really the big friend group type back home. The girls within this tour period were so welcoming and fun to be around and I appreciated the way they accepted me.
"Keira, I got a question?" Des spoke.
"Mhmm." I hummed as I chewed.
"Are you okay?"
"Huh?" I asked confused. "What do you mean?"
"Sorry, I mean, we know you were a bit emotional before and reclusive and we are happy that now you're in better spirits, but we just wanted to know if you're okay."
"Oh." I wiped my mouth. "Yeah I am now and well to clear things up, I had a situation with a guy I was dating which had me how it had me."
"Ah, okay." They all nodded.
"Well we're just glad you're good now. It's been cool chilling with you."
"Thanks, same here. Funny enough, I was telling Aug, I don't have much of a girl group of friends, like I have friends but not like this, you know."
"Yeah, we know." Des nodded. "Speaking of Aug, y'all seem to be close." She smirked.
"I mean, he's a decent guy now that I don't hate him anymore." I laughed.
"Girl what?" They all laughed.
"Yeah. A couple years ago he was with my best friend and things ended bad with them and because of that she stopped speaking to me."
"Oh girl, that's not a friend." Princess fanned me off.
"Exactly because you had nothing to do with that and she needs to control her emotions." Candice added.
"Yeah and well hearing his side, I just decided to let it go." I shrugged.
"As you should." Princess spoke.
"I think he has feelings for you though." Des smirked
"I highly doubt that." I laughed. "We're just cool. He's the homie."
"Homies become baes too." She pushed.
"Girl bye." I fanned her off as we all laughed at how silly she was being.
"No, but for real. You've never noticed how his aura changes when you walk in a room? We've all seen it." She then said as the other two agreed.
"Mhmm." Candice nodded. "And that hug? We'll never forget y'all reaction when yall hugged."
"That wasn't anything to talk about. We both surprised ourselves that it happened because like I said, we weren't cool initially." I shrugged.
"They felt something." Princess simply said.
"Yup!" Candice and Des co-signed."
"Whatever. Next topic please!" I said making us laugh.
Changing the conversation, I got to know the girls differently and a bit more in depth, even sharing some of me with them. This was a new-ish space for me but I was receptive and accepting of it.
August
"Damn bro! That's you?"
Putting my attention on the door of our adjoining room, Travis came walking through.
"Yeah man." I nodded.
Playing some of my unreleased music, I was trying to figure out what to wear tonight.
"That sounds really good man, that's gonna cause some problems." He smirked as he dapped me up.
"As it should." I laughed. "A nigga ain't holding back this time."
"I know that's right." He said as he moved to the music. "So what's up man? What you looking for?"
Just as I was about to answer, there was a knock on my door. Getting it for me, Kevin came walking in. Dapping us up, he sat and expressed his similar feelings to the music he was hearing.
"Y'all coming out to Lush tonight?" He asked.
"Yeah man." Travis and I said. "And to answer your question." I pointed at Travis. "I'm tryna find something to wear tonight."
"You know damn well it's gonna be something black." He joked.
"Who else is going?" I asked ignoring him.
"Just about everyone. The girls, the band." Kevin confirmed.
"Aight." I nodded.
"You checking to see if your lah girlfriend will be going huh?" Travis smirked.
"See why I ignored you just now. You always saying some goofy shit." I shook my head.
"Girlfriend? Who?" Kevin asked.
"Just ignore him. He talks too much and play even more."
"Nah bruh. Tell that man how you feel about his sister. Be a man little bro." He chuckled.
"The hell is he talking about." Kevin questioned.
"Nothing. He's just in his feelings still over her shooting him down."
"You need to let that go." Kevin told him as he laughed.
"That shit ain't funny man." He sucked his teeth.
"You mad bro?" I laughed. "Just accept it and laugh with us."
"Fuck y'all." He said, making us laugh more.
After our laughing fit, the guys decided to leave to get something to eat. Straightening up my room, I went into the shower and got cleaned up. While in there, I heard a knock on my room door. Turning off the water, I grabbed my towel, wrapped it around my waist to answer it.
"Hi, oh." She paused.
"You got some timing." I chuckled.
"I'll come back." She turned to walk off but I called her back.
"Ion know why you do that, just come in."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Keira."
As she walked past me, I closed my door. Letting her know I'll be out in a bit, she made herself comfortable as I went back and resumed my shower. Not taking as long as I had planned too, once I was finished, I dried off and got dressed then made my way back out.
"So what's up?" I got my bottle of lotion and sat next to her.
"Nothing much. I was on my way back to my room from chilling with Des and them and decided to check you."
"Yeah? How was that?"
"Pretty good." She nodded. "We did some light shopping then came back and ate and just conversed."
"Getting to know the better huh?"
"I was." She nodded.
"Well that's good." I nudged her.
"You coming out tonight?"
"Are you?" I questioned back.
"I'm trying to be more sociable." She laughed as she got the remote. "So yes I will be going."
"Aight." I nodded. "And well, yeah I'm going as well."
"Cool." She smiled.
"You trying to get beat in some Two K?" I smirked.
"Are you?" She returned the smirk.
Connecting my console, I handed her the controller while I set up the game. Once ready, we picked out teams and got into it.
"You're better than I expected." I admitted.
"I believe you." She laughed.
Catching me off guard, she made a steal, got control of the ball and made the basket. Completely shocked, she actually beat me the first game.
"Nice." I nodded in approval. "I went easy on you there, but now that I know you can play, let's do this for really."
"Mhmm." She laughed.
This had become our thing over the past few weeks. We'd get together, play some game and just chill with food.
"Just a heads up, Travis will be there tonight." I glanced at her.
Releasing a heavy sigh, she shook her head and simply said "okay" which made me laugh.
"You know he's going to irritate you right?"
"Oh I know. It's like he gets a kick out of it now."
"He does but he doesn't mean no harm. Trav is cool, lah annoying, but cool. This just his way of becoming your friend."
"If that's the case, I'll know now not to let it get to me." She laughed.
"You know I got you. SHOT!" I yelled as I made the basket.
**********
Exiting the elevator, as I made my way to the front lobby, I saw Keira posing by an artistic wall for a picture.
One thing I admired about her was her sense of style. Regardless of what she wore, she wore it well. Making eye contact, she smiled a little as I returned one.
"Hey you." She smiled as she approached me.
"Hey, wazzamin." I smiled before we shared a hug. "Looking good." I licked my lips unintentionally, causing her to blush a bit.
"Thank you. Same as you." She smiled as she fixed my chain.
"Thanks ma."
"You're welcome." She said in the softest tone.
Making our way out, we went into our respective vehicles. All while on our way, Keira and I were messaging each other. I wasn't sure what was happening but at this point I was just going with the flow.
After what seemed like a long drive, we were finally pulling into the club's parking lot. Finding a park and getting out, we made our way to the entrance where we were ushered in and taken to our section.
"What?" She asked me as I stared at her.
"Nothing." I smirked as I shook my head.
With our server introducing herself, we placed our individual orders while she informed us that the pre ordered bottles would be here shortly. As she left, she gave me an attempted seductive look but I didn't pay her any mind. Making myself away of my surroundings and the exits, we got our night going.
*************
As the night progressed, the vibe at the club was up. With the deejays playing different mixes, everyone, including myself were having a great time. Looking over at Keira, she was clearly enjoying herself with the girls as they danced.
"This one's for my sis out there having a time! I see you Kei!" Kevin announced.
Laughing at how she reacted, he dropped a mix of the Weekend's the Hills. The way the club went up when the beat dropped was everything. From the smoke guns going off to confetti dropping, when it cleared, I couldn't help but stare at Keira, the way she slowly rolled him waist as she danced.
Sipping my drink, it was as though I was in a trance. In that moment, it felt like it was just the both of us and she was dancing for me and only me. Making eye contact at one point, she smiled, causing me to smile back. As the music changes, her moves changed as well, before coming over to me and getting her drink.
"I see you doing your thing." I spoke in her ear.
"Just a little thing." She gestured with her fingers before laughing. "You good over here?"
"Yeah ma, I'm just chilling, enjoying the view." I said closer to her ear.
"Oh." She said in a tone.
Pulling back, I stared at her behind my sunglasses as she did the same.
"What you two over here doing?!?!" Travis came shouting.
"I'm going to the bathroom." Keira said as she got up.
Shaking my head, I took a sip in my drink as Travis sat down. Pressing the unlock button on my phone I checked the time.
"So you just gonna ignore me?"
"I can't hear you." I signaled to him, though I was.
"Yeah alright but I know it's something between the both of y'all."
"Huh?!" I faked.
"Keep 'huhing'." He then said before pouring himself another drink
Not too long after, Kevin finished his set. Staying for another thirty minutes, we decided to head back to the hotel. I for one still needed to get some rest before we hit the road. As we were leaving, a crowd was also heading out too. Unconsciously, I took Keira's hand as she walked out behind me, making sure she was close. As we exited, I pulled her to the side, where we waited for the others.
"You good?" I asked her.
"Mhmm." She nodded. "There goes Kevin." She pointed out.
"You E!" I called.
Spotting us, him and the others came over and we made our way to the buses. Agreeing on those who wanted to stop to get something to eat go with one bus, the rest of us went on the other and headed back to the hotel. Once we were back, we said our good nights went to our respective rooms.
Finished cleaning up, about to get into bed, there was a knock on my door. Sighing, I got it only to be greeted by Keira in her night clothes holding up food.
"You going to sleep on an empty stomach?"
"What you got?" I laughed as she came in.
"Smashed Burgers and fries. But then they went to Chick Fil A so I got chicken nuggets, waffle fries, and two cherry berry lemonades." She said as she opened up everything.
"Well alright then." I smiled.
Approaching her, she handed me mine. Telling her thanks as I took it, she got hers. Turning on the tv, I looked for a movie.