Chapter 6: 7 Minutes In Heaven
1523 Words
Zendaya’s POV
“I don’t care what excuse you have,” Beatrice said, standing in the middle of my room with her hands on her hips.
“You’re coming out tonight.” I laughed from my bed.
“I’m tired.”
“You’re dramatic,” she shot back.
“You’ve been in your feelings for weeks. We’re going out. One of our seniors is throwing a party and we're all invited”
But she was right. I had been thinking too much. Replaying conversations and rewriting moments in my head, wondering if I had imagined the imbalance with Ransford or if I had tolerated it.
“Fine,” I sighed, sitting up.
“But I’m not dressing up.” Beatrice’s eyes sparkled.
“That’s not your decision.”
An hour later, I barely recognised myself. The dress hugged me as if it were designed with my body in mind. Deep emerald satin, smooth and fluid, catching the light with every movement. It fell just above my knees, the fabric draping perfectly over my curves without looking desperate.
The neckline dipped just enough to be bold, but not loud. My shoulders were bare, my collarbones highlighted with a subtle glow. My heels were black, strappy, elegant, the kind that forced posture and confidence. My makeup was soft but sharp. Glossed lips. Defined eyes. Nothing exaggerated. Just intentional.
Beatrice stepped back and whistled. “Oh,” she said slowly.
"This is just a house party why should I dress up this much" I said lazily.
"You are just a mood killer," she rolled her eyes at me.
“Darian is going to lose his mind.” I stiffened slightly.
“I’m not dressing for him.”
“I know,” she said, grinning.
“That’s why it’s dangerous.”
I turned toward the mirror again. For once, I didn’t look like I was trying to be chosen. I looked like someone who already was.
"Well you don't look bad yourself, you look like you are trying to seduce someone, Ransford maybe?" I said lowly.
She gave a quick laugh, "Ransford?"
"Yeah"
"Oh please I have nothing to do with Ransford, he's okay but I don't see myself loving him," she said.
"Whoa!!" I screamed.
"Yep, let's get going," Beatrice said.
The house party was alive the second we walked in. Music pulsed through the air, bass-heavy and intoxicating. Lights flickered in shades of violet and gold. The room smelled like perfume, expensive cologne, and something electric. Beatrice grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the bar.
“Two cocktails!” she shouted over the music.
I laughed as we leaned against the counter.
“You look insane,” she told me.
“Like heartbreak just upgraded.”
“Stop,” I muttered, but I felt warmth rise in my chest. We clinked glasses.
“To bad decisions,” she said.
“To better ones,” I corrected.
The drink burned slightly going down, but not unpleasantly. By the second one, my shoulders felt lighter. My thoughts weren’t as loud. The tension that had been living in my chest for weeks loosened its grip.
"Wohooo, I love it here, let's hit the dance floor," she said raising her hands, dancing to the music.
Beatrice dragged me to the dance floor. At first, I hesitated.
"Lose yourself girl, you live only once," She shouted over the music and she was right, what was there to lose anyway?
Then I stopped caring. The music wrapped around me. My hips moved without calculation. My arms lifted without permission.
I laughed, not the polite laugh I used around Ransford, but something freer. I wasn’t performing.
I was just existing. Beatrice spun in front of me, hair flying, grin wide.
“You see?!” she yelled.
“This is you!”
Maybe it was. Maybe I had just forgotten. After a while, she got pulled away by a group recognised. She winked at me before disappearing into the crowd.
For a moment, I was alone. I didn’t mind. The lights flickered lower as the song changed slower and deeper. The bass softened into something smoother. I closed my eyes briefly, swaying.
"You look happy today, won a lottery or something," someone said behind me and I knew who it was.
"Darian!!!" I said excitedly.
I turned slightly, just enough to see him. He was dressed in a black button-down, sleeves rolled to his forearms along with his dark jeans.
"I just felt like enjoying myself today," I giggled.
"Seeing you free like this makes me excited," he said.
"Can I??" he added and I knew what he meant.
"You don't have to ask for permission," I winked and turned my back to him.
Then a hand settled against my waist. Firm and warm. His touch sent shivers down my spine. My body stilled instantly.
“Relax,” he murmured near my ear.
“It’s just me, let's enjoy the moment” My breath caught.
He looked like he belonged nowhere and everywhere at the same time.
“Now move your body, baby,” he whispered seductively in my ear.
I almost smiled. His hand remained at my waist, he held it firmly but not tightly. I wasted no time. I shifted, letting my body move with the music again.
Swaying my hips and he matched me. He wasted no time in grinding me maling me feel his torso. At this time, I just wanted him, even though we were just friends but the tension pull was so strong.
The difference was subtle but powerful. My back brushed lightly against his chest as the crowd shifted around us. His other hand rested loosely at my hip, respectful, controlled.
“You look different tonight,” he said near my ear. “How?” I asked, my voice softer now.
“Like you’re beginning a new life.”
The words slid into me gently but deeply. I swallowed.
“Maybe I am,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if it was true.
His fingers tightened slightly at my waist, not possessive, just grounding.
“Good.” s
The song slowed further. My movements softened.
“Do you like me?” I teased lightly.
“And what if I do,” he replied.
“That sounds intense.”
“It is.”
I turned slowly in his hold until I was facing him. The lights cast shadows along his jawline. His eyes were steady, searching but not demanding. “I don’t want you when you’re confused, Zendaya,” he said quietly.
"I know you and Ransford have a history, I'm not stupid Zendaya,"
My pulse quickened. “Then what do you want?” He held my gaze. “I want you, all of you. Without any confusion, or drama.”
The word settled between us heavily. Before I could respond I felt it. A shift in the air. Like being watched. I glanced past Darian’s shoulder. And my stomach dropped.
Ransford. Standing near the entrance. Watching us deeply. His expression was unreadable at first. Then his jaw tightened slightly.
His eyes darkened as they took in the scene. Darian’s hand is at my waist. My dress. My smile. I hadn’t seen him walk in. I hadn’t been thinking about him. And that realisation hit harder than anything else.
Darian followed my gaze. He didn’t step away. He didn’t remove his hand. He simply leaned slightly closer and whispered,
“Is he the reason you shrink?”
I shook my head automatically. But I wasn’t sure. Across the room, someone near Ransford said something to him. I saw their lips move. Saw the sideways glance in my direction. He didn’t respond. He just kept looking at me.
For two years now, I have been the one watching him. Now the roles had shifted. And he didn’t like it. The song ended. The crowd shifted.
"7 MINUTES IN HEAVEN, WHO IS IN!!!!" someone shouted in the crowd
"Wohoooo, let's do it," the crowd responded.
"Alright, we'll be starting in 20 minutes."
Darian stepped back slightly, giving me space. “You want air?” he asked calmly.
I nodded. He guided me toward the exit without touching me again. Outside, the cool night air hit my skin, raising goosebumps along my bare shoulders. I wrapped my arms around myself instinctively.
Darian removed his jacket and held it out. I hesitated. He raised an eyebrow.
“It’s just fabric, Zendaya.”
I took it. The warmth surprised me. The club doors opened briefly behind us. Laughter spilt with music.
“He doesn’t like losing control,” he suddenly said calmly.
"Who?
"Ransford"
"How do you know?" I asked.
"You'll know one day," this got me confused.
“He never had control,” I muttered.
Darian tilted his head slightly.
“Then why does it feel like he did?”
I didn’t answer. Because part of me knew the truth.
"We should get going inside, the game is about to start," he said while checking his time.
"Ughh, can I just skip," I said lazily.
"Nope. let's go," he replied and held my hand dragging me inside with him.
- Writer
