Someone Always Knows
1004 Words
Zara had never liked parties where everyone already knew each other. It made her feel like an outsider—half-observed, half-ignored. But Camille had dragged her out of the apartment, waving a bottle of prosecco and claiming “You need fresh air and maybe a distraction.”
Zara had rolled her eyes.
She didn’t want a distraction.
She wanted Dani.
But they had agreed to take a breather. Not a breakup. Just space. A little distance to keep things under control.
And yet… here she was, standing at the edge of a rooftop party, scanning the crowd like her heartbeat hadn’t settled since that last kiss three nights ago.
She sipped her drink, eyes drifting over the sea of familiar strangers. Her hair was swept up into a loose bun, her collarbone bare under a silky cream blouse tucked into black trousers. Effortless, but intentional.
She didn’t expect to see Dani tonight.
Which is why her heart nearly stopped when she did.
Dani appeared just after eleven—unannounced, uninvited, and impossible to miss. She wore all black again, like she always did at night: slacks, a slim coat, and that cool air that made people straighten up when she entered a room. Her braids were pulled back, and her expression was neutral… until her eyes landed on Zara.
They flicked over her slowly, then settled, sharp and unreadable.
Zara felt it like a current under her skin.
Camille, standing beside her, noticed immediately.
“Well, well,” she whispered into Zara’s ear. “Guess who came to pretend she doesn’t want you?”
Zara exhaled. “Camille, please.”
“Just saying.” Camille raised her drink. “She looks like she’s two seconds away from dragging you into a dark corner.”
Zara smiled but didn’t answer.
Because Dani wasn’t moving toward her.
In fact, she’d slipped into a conversation near the bar, cool and professional, as if Zara wasn’t even here.
⸻
Twenty minutes passed.
Then thirty.
And Zara had had enough.
She found Dani alone near the plant-lined wall, pretending to look at the skyline.
“You weren’t invited,” Zara said flatly.
Dani glanced sideways. “I came with Maya.”
Zara blinked. “Maya’s here?”
Dani nodded. “Inside. Talking with some fashion friends.”
Zara stepped closer, lowering her voice. “So you’re not just risking us—you’re risking her finding out.”
“I didn’t know you’d be here,” Dani said. “And you didn’t answer my texts.”
“I thought we were giving it space,” Zara said. “You said we needed air.”
Dani’s eyes flicked over her again—this time slower, more deliberate.
“And now I’m choking on it.”
Zara’s breath hitched.
She looked away, toward the other end of the roof, where a petite brunette had been laughing with Dani earlier.
“She’s pretty,” Zara said, voice light but clipped.
Dani didn’t respond right away. Then: “She’s not you.”
Zara’s jaw tightened.
“She was flirting with you.”
“I know.”
“And you let her.”
“I didn’t want to make a scene.”
Zara’s head snapped around. “You’re making one now.”
There was a beat of silence—then Dani stepped forward, so close Zara could smell the faint citrus of her cologne.
“I don’t want anyone else, Zara,” she said quietly. “Even if I pretend otherwise. Even if I push you away.”
Zara blinked hard. Her throat burned.
“Then stop pretending.”
Their eyes locked. Zara thought she saw it flicker in Dani’s—something fierce and possessive, something that said mine even though no one else could hear it.
But before anything more could happen—
A voice interrupted them.
“Zara?”
They both turned.
Maya.
Her sister stood a few feet away, holding a glass of rosé and wearing a soft cream blazer over a linen jumpsuit. She looked as surprised as she did curious.
“You two good?” she asked, eyes bouncing between them.
Zara cleared her throat. “Yeah. Just catching up.”
Maya’s gaze lingered a second too long on Dani.
Zara smiled. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I didn’t know you were.” Maya sipped her wine. “Small world.”
Too small.
Dani stepped back slightly. “I was just leaving,” she said, her voice composed.
“You just got here,” Zara said, sharper than she meant to.
Dani looked at her once—just once—and then turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Maya gave her a look. “What was that about?”
Zara smiled too quickly. “Nothing.”
But the lie sat heavy on her tongue.
⸻
🌙 Later that night – Zara’s apartment
Zara didn’t sleep.
She sat by her window, the streets below now quiet, and texted Dani twice.
No reply.
She replayed the moment over and over in her head—how Dani looked when she said “I’m choking on it.” How she left without another word. How Maya had noticed something. She always noticed something.
And that scared Zara more than anything.
She wanted Dani.
But she didn’t want to lose her sister.
⸻
💔 Meanwhile – Dani’s apartment
Dani sat on her couch, phone facedown on the table. Her hands were clenched, and her thoughts were loud.
She had never wanted someone this badly and still felt so afraid to hold on to them.
But tonight, when she saw Zara smiling across the rooftop in that delicate blouse, surrounded by people—something dark and jealous had curled in her chest. A need to protect her. To claim her. To hide her from the world, but also stand beside her in it.
Dani wasn’t good at vulnerability.
But she knew this wasn’t just s*x. Or tension. Or rebellion.
This was love.
And she had no idea what to do with that.
- Writer
