Chapter 8A Dates and Convos
1306 Words
Weekend Fun and Surprises
December 2010
Anonymous POV
The weekend before Christmas was filled with excitement. The crisp winter air was a welcome change as the group of junior high students gathered at the Magnificent Mile for their “date.” But let’s be real, it wasn’t really a date—it was a group hang, a chance to get away from the regular grind of school and enjoy a bit of holiday cheer. Dre, Sade, Isla, and Paul met up at the mall, ready to dive into the festive spirit.
Sade, looking casual but cute in a light sweater and jeans, was walking next to Dre, her hand in his. Dre was all smiles, his hoodie pulled up over his head, clearly enjoying the attention. Isla, in a fitted jacket and leggings, walked next to Paul, her eyes flitting around the crowds of people.
As they made their way into the bustling mall, Sade pointed toward the ice skating rink. “So, we’re skating first, right?” she asked with a grin, her eyes bright from excitement.
Dre chuckled, the sound light in the air. “Hell yeah, we are. I’ve been looking forward to this.” He shot a quick glance at Isla, who was quietly trailing behind. “You sure you’re good to skate, Isla?”
Isla gave him a playful look. “I’ll manage. Just don’t leave me on the ice to fall, okay?”
Sade rolled her eyes, pulling Dre along. “You guys are too much,” she muttered, but the teasing smile on her face gave it all away. The group headed for the rink, where they laced up their skates, the cool air on the ice sending a pleasant shiver through the group.
The ice skating was a bit of a mess at first. Isla wobbled a little but managed to get her balance, while Dre acted like a pro, showing off his moves as if he’d been skating for years. Sade couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous they all looked trying to figure out the ice. Paul, though, was surprisingly graceful, gliding around with ease.
After skating, they made their way through the crowded mall, popping in and out of stores. They browsed through the holiday decorations, a bit of festive music in the background as they passed the various window displays. Dre dragged Sade into the Jordan store, excited to check out the new sneakers that had just dropped. He tried on a few pairs, posing in front of the mirror like he was starring in a commercial. Paul, ever the jokester, pretended to be his hype man, making exaggerated gestures every time Dre turned in a new pair.
“Yo, those look fire,” Paul teased. “You’re gonna have everyone looking at you when you step out with those on.”
Sade rolled her eyes. “He’s ridiculous,” she muttered with a smile, crossing her arms as she leaned against a shelf.
After a while, they moved on to buy a few small gifts, the holiday spirit growing stronger as they walked through the mall. Isla had picked out a few things for her parents and a little something for Sade. Sade hadn’t decided on much yet, but she was just happy to be out with her friends.
As the sun began to set, they made their way to the CTA bus stop, heading home after a fun-filled afternoon. Dre sat down first, pulling Sade beside him, while Isla sat with Paul across the aisle.
“So,” Dre started, grinning like he’d been waiting for the perfect moment to bring it up, “where should we go after this?”
Sade glanced at Isla, then back at Dre, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Well, I have an idea,” she said. “My parents are out shopping, but my older siblings are home with their friends. My brother is probably playing a video game, and my sister has her two girlfriends over—they’re probably doing makeup or something. I don’t know. We could just hang at my place.”
Isla perked up, nodding enthusiastically. “That sounds fun. I’m down for that. Plus, I’ll stay over tonight anyway, so it works out.”
“Sweet,” Dre said, nudging Sade. “We’ll be there in no time. Just make sure your brother doesn’t start bugging us while we’re hanging out.”
Paul, who had been quiet for most of the ride, grinned. “Yeah, if he starts making noise, we’ll just kick him out.”
The bus jolted forward, the rhythmic hum of the engine providing the soundtrack to their casual conversation. It wasn’t long before the topic shifted. Dre, leaning back against the seat, glanced at Sade with a smirk.
“You know, Marco’s still pissed at me,” Dre said, casually. “I don’t know what his problem is, but he needs to step off.”
Sade raised an eyebrow, glancing at Dre. “What are you talking about?”
“You know,” Dre said with a small laugh. “The fact that I’m dating you. Dude’s mad as hell about it. He’s been throwing a fit. Hell, I think he’s still obsessed with you.”
Sade’s stomach twisted at the mention of Marco. She’d already had enough of his weirdness, and Dre’s words didn’t help. “He needs to get over it. I’m not some prize to fight over. Besides, I’m happy. You’re my boyfriend, not him.”
Isla, who’d been quietly listening, turned to look at Sade. “Marco’s really that upset about it?” She shook her head. “That’s... kinda crazy. I mean, he needs to move on, right?”
Dre nodded. “Exactly. If he liked her so much, he should’ve stepped up when he had the chance.”
Paul added, “Yeah, it’s all on him. He had his shot, and now it’s my boy Dre’s turn.”
Sade shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Yeah, I know. But I don’t want to deal with it. I’m just here to have fun.”
The bus turned a corner, and the group fell into a comfortable silence as they rode the rest of the way to Sade’s house. Once they arrived, the atmosphere was laid-back and easygoing. Her house was just as welcoming as always, the warm light from the family room spilling out into the darkened front yard.
Sade unlocked the door, ushering everyone inside, and they quickly made themselves comfortable in the family room. Her brother, in the middle of an intense gaming session, barely acknowledged their entrance.
“You guys want some snacks?” Sade asked, plopping down on the couch next to Dre. Isla sat across from them, watching them for a moment before turning to Paul.
“Yeah, I’ll grab some cookies or something,” Isla said, heading into the kitchen.
As the group relaxed, talking about the day’s adventures, Dre casually brought up Marco again. “He needs to stay in his lane. Like, what the hell is his deal? He should’ve asked you out when he had the chance, but instead, he’s all jealous and acting like a little kid.”
Sade glanced at him, feeling the tension rise again. “Yeah, I know. But I don’t want to deal with it. I’m just here to have fun.”
Isla, overhearing, couldn’t help but feel a pang of discomfort. Her gaze flickered between Sade and Dre before turning away. She wasn’t sure why, but something about Dre’s easy confidence and his casual talk about Marco stirred something in her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it than just a few words about Marco.
The evening went on, but the underlying tension remained—something unspoken hanging in the air.
- Writer
