The final bell rang, unleashing a tide of students through the doors of Charlesville Middle School. The afternoon sun painted the sidewalks gold as backpacks bounced and laughter filled the air.
"Joseph! Come here!" The voice was bright and unmistakable—Aaliya, her big curly afro catching the light, waving him over from across the courtyard.
Joseph jogged over, a grin breaking through the fatigue of the day. "What's up?"
"Everyone's going to the town pool to hang out. You coming?" Aaliya asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Joseph pulled out his phone, checking for messages he knew wouldn't be there. "Depends. You going?"
"Yeah, I'm going with Maddison and Stacy," she replied, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
"Aight, then I'll come. People actually swimming or just chilling?" Joseph slipped his phone back in his pocket, trying to sound casual.
Aaliya shrugged, a playful smirk on her lips. "I don't know. Bring swimming shorts and a towel just in case."
Joseph stretched his arms, feigning reluctance. "I'll see you in a bit. You know I'm only going 'cause you are, so don't leave me there all by myself."
Aaliya laughed, giving his arm a gentle punch. "You know I wouldn't leave you on your own. Keep playing and I might not pull up at all."
Joseph grinned, watching as she turned and headed toward her mom's car. "Aight, ima catch you."
Aaliya slid into the passenger seat, her mother glancing over with a knowing smile. "Just chillin', but who was that boy you were talking to? Is he your boyfriend or something?" her mom teased.
"Mom!" Aaliya groaned, rolling her eyes. "He's just a friend. You remember Joseph from elementary? He used to come over all the time 'cause you were friends with his mom."
Her mom's face softened. "Ohhh, that's lil' Joseph? Dang, these kids grow up fast. You told him he can come by anytime, right? Especially after what happened to his parents. I want him to have a safe space, you know?"
"Yeah, Mom, I'll tell him," Aaliya replied, her voice tinged with embarrassment. "Can we go now?"
Across town at Charlesville High, Josiah was weaving through the crowded hallway when he nearly collided with Mary—the girl from English class, hoodie pulled up, hands stuffed in her pockets.
"Yo?" Josiah said, brow furrowed, looking down at her.
Mary shifted her weight, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sup."
Josiah waited, awkward silence stretching between them. "You need somethin'?"
She shook her head, then stuck out her hand. "No, I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Mary—we're in the same English class."
He took her hand, a bit hesitant. "Josiah."
Mary's cheeks flushed. "I was wondering if you wanted to go watch the school play with me?"
Josiah glanced at the clock above the lockers. "Umm, I'll think about it, but I really gotta get to my next class."
Mary nodded, stepping aside. "Um, okay. See you later, maybe."
Josiah gave a small wave, already moving down the hall, her hopeful expression lingering in his mind.
Meanwhile, in the bustling shoe section of the mall, Jayla held up a pair of sneakers, yelling across the aisle. "Yo, y'all think this would look good on me?"
Caleb burst out laughing. "Hell nah!"
John, leaning against a display, gave her a once-over. "Umm, yeah, if you got the right clothes for 'em."
Jayla grinned, tossing the shoes back into the box. "Thank you, John. Glad to know there's one person here who's not being a dickhead."
Caleb rolled his eyes. "Aight, we done? I'm tryna go now. We've been at the mall for a minute."
"Let Jayla pay for her stuff first so we can dip," John replied, already heading for the exit.
"Aight, bet," Caleb said, dropping onto a bench outside the store.
A few minutes later, Jayla emerged, bag in hand. "Aight, we can go now."
"I vote we go to John's house," Caleb announced.
John groaned. "Bro, why are we always going to my house? Why don't we go to yours?"
Caleb shook his head. "Hell no. Your house actually has stuff to do. Mine's just two rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom. You got a big-ass yard and a pool."
Jayla nodded in agreement. "That's true. Your house does have more to do than ours."
John sighed, resigned. "Bro, my brothers are gonna be there and shit."
"So? I don't mind. Plus, I haven't seen your little brothers in a while," Jayla said, nudging him.
"Yeah, I wanna see if they're still good at football," Caleb added.
John shrugged, finally giving in. "Aight, if y'all say so."
Together, they stepped out into the fading sunlight, laughter echoing behind them as they headed toward whatever the evening would bring.