Under the rain

[Music recommendation: I found by Amber Run]

Three days had passed since the get-together at Damon's house, but Zendaya's mind was far from peaceful. No matter how hard she tried to distract herself, his voice, his smirk, even his ridiculous jokes lingered like a haunting melody she couldn't escape. It wasn't just a crush—it was deeper, riskier. She liked Damon.

The realization terrified her, but the more she fought it, the more it consumed her. Finally, she decided she couldn't keep it in anymore. She'd tell him, no matter how reckless it felt.

Standing before her mirror, she adjusted the black jumpsuit she'd chosen for the night. The deep V-neckline highlighted her curves, the crisscross straps at the back revealing her smooth skin. Her goddess braids framed her face like a crown, but the vulnerability in her eyes betrayed her confidence.

"This is a mistake," she whispered, her voice trembling. But a part of her—foolishly hopeful—pushed her forward.

The party was already in full swing when Zendaya stepped inside, the low hum of bass vibrating beneath her heels. Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching for him. Each step forward made her heart race faster, her pulse pounding in sync with the music.

And then she saw him.

Damon.

Her breath caught as her gaze locked on him—laughter danced on his lips, his hands resting casually on Joanne's waist. Time froze as she watched Joanne lean in, her lips capturing his in a kiss that felt like a dagger to Zendaya's chest.

The world around her blurred; all she could see was them. Her throat tightened, and the burn of unshed tears stung her eyes. What was I thinking? Foolishly falling? He doesn't care. He never cared.

She turned sharply, her heels clicking against the floor as she pushed through the crowd, desperate to escape before the tears spilled.

Just then Damon pulled away from Joanne's lips, his smile fading as unease prickled at his chest. For a moment, he thought he saw her—Zendaya's face replacing Joanne's. Blinking, he turned his head and caught a glimpse of a familiar figure retreating toward the exit.

"Zendaya?" he whispered, his heart sinking.

Shoving Joanne aside without a second thought, he shot up from the couch. "Zee!" he called out, his voice strained as he weaved through the crowd, the weight of guilt pressing against his chest.

By the time he reached outside, the drizzle had turned into steady rain, drenching his shirt and hair. But he didn't care. He saw her walking away, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as if trying to shield herself from more than just the rain.

"Zendaya!" he called again, louder this time.

She stopped but didn't turn, her shoulders stiffening at the sound of his voice.

"Leave me alone, Damon," she said, her voice breaking as she began walking faster.

He caught up to her in a few quick strides, his hand gripping her wrist. "Zee, wait. Please."

The rain fell harder, soaking them both as Zendaya turned to face him, her eyes blazing with fury and unshed tears.

"Why?" she spat, yanking her hand free. "Why do you care? Why are you even here?"

Damon flinched, her words cutting deeper than he expected. "I—"

"You don't care, Damon!" she yelled, her voice trembling with anger and heartbreak. "You act like you do, but you don't! One minute you're sweet, and the next, you're kissing another girl!" Her voice cracked, and she shoved his chest with both hands. "You're just playing with me, Damon. Stop confusing me!"

Damon staggered back, the sting of her words mirrored in his expression. His jaw clenched as he struggled to find the right words. "Zendaya… I—"

"What do you want from me?" she demanded, tears streaming down her face, mingling with the rain. "Just leave me alone."

For a moment, Damon stood frozen, his mind replaying every moment he'd spent with her. Every smile, every argument, every lingering glance. He realized then that this wasn't just lust—it hadn't been for a while.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, his voice breaking. He stepped closer, his hands trembling as he cupped her face. "I'm sorry if I made you feel that way. I never meant to hurt you."

Zendaya tried to pull away, but his grip was firm, his touch gentle. She looked into his eyes, searching for deceit but finding none.

"Let me make it right," Damon said, his voice raw with sincerity. "Please, Zee. Let me fix this. Let me prove to you that I'm not just playing."

She blinked, confusion flickering in her tear-filled eyes. "What are you saying?"

Damon exhaled shakily, his thumb brushing against her wet cheek. "I'm saying let's give this a chance. Let's give us a chance."

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The rain continued to fall, the world fading into a distant hum. Finally, Zendaya let out a soft, shaky laugh, her lips curving into a faint smile.

"You're insane," she whispered.

"And you're beautiful," he replied with a grin, pulling her into a tight embrace.

She let herself sink into his arms, her tears finally subsiding as the rain softened around them. For the first time in weeks, the ache in her chest eased.

And though doubt lingered at the edges of her mind, for now, she allowed herself to believe him.

Meanwhile the night air was cool, and the distant hum of crickets filled the silence on the balcony. The faint glow of the moon bathed everything in soft light, casting long shadows over the railing. Xavier stood on his side, his sharp gaze lingering on Kamsi through the glass door. She sat at her desk, her head bowed over a book, unaware of his presence. He hadn't meant to come here, yet he found himself crossing the thin divide between their spaces like it was second nature.

He knocked softly on the glass, his lips curving into a smirk when she startled and turned toward him.

"Oh my God," she muttered, quickly walking over to slide the door open. "What are you doing here?"

He leaned casually against the frame, his eyes trailing over her. "Relax, I'm wearing a shirt this time," he teased, his voice smooth with that infuriating confidence." I wanted to see you."

Her cheeks flushed despite herself. "Great. You've seen me. Now, go back before my mom comes."

He tilted his head, his smirk deepening. "What if I don't want to?"