AS THE STORY GOES

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Friday came and it was exactly what Justin needed—a family release from everything new in his life. The skating rink was probably the only place that was purely positive in his mind. Throughout every stage of his life, the skating rink was a part of it. Back when he was still a kid with his biological family, later with his group home family, with Jon on a regular basis over the past six years, and now with his new family, it had always been a staple in his life.

When they all walked in, Justin's stomach jumped in excitement to see his favorite DJ in the booth—he was guaranteed to get a large dosage of old Atlanta bass. They said their obligatory "hellos" and "what's ups" to all of the other regulars, but Justin was purely focused on what he knew would be a perfect Friday night. As Lourdes and Amaya went to rent skates, Jon and Justin found their favorite nook where they sat back to put on their personal skates. While Justin had been rocking the same beloved pair for years, Jon had just had to size up recently to a fresh new pair. People who weren't from Camden didn't get it—the rink was serious business for many of the locals in "East Philly", as many people jokingly referred to Camden.

As soon as Justin finished lacing his skates, one of his favorite old bass hits came on and he stood up to find his lady, his body reacting to the music involuntarily—only able to bop. Lourdes was all smiles to see him coming towards her, dancing smoothly to the beat. She knew he said he liked to dance, but she would have never guessed how much of an understatement those words had been. She was both enamored and intimidated, having only been skating a handful of times in her life.

"I'll meet you out there. Go 'head!" Lourdes shooed him on, wanting to get up a little bravery after looking around and seeing that everyone around her was an expert on wheels. This place was nothing like the rink in West Deptford she had been to for several parties in her younger years—this place was an elite club of the most skilled skaters, and she was not ready.

While Justin eagerly took her up on the suggestion and danced his way out onto the floor, Lourdes went to the spot where they had all set up their base. Somehow, Amaya had already laced up her skates and was excitedly following Jon onto the floor as if she went skating everyday. Lourdes sighed, wondering how she and her sister were just so completely different, while simultaneously being a bit jealous of the teen.

Lourdes, slightly stalling, was not surprised when Justin popped back up to take her to the floor. She took a deep breath and just went for it, not knowing if he'd be able to convince her to go to the rink a second time. As if the Universe felt pity for her, the DJ, thankfully, switched the track to a slow jam and Justin took her hand as he glided backwards onto the floor, and Lourdes tried to just keep her balance as the floor texture changed from carpet to polished wood. He held her steady as she found her balance, finally relaxing into the rhythm he set.

"I don't know if this was anything I would have imagined you would be into," Lourdes said to him as they cruised around the bend.

"You hate it, don't you?" He laughed at her.

"Not at all. I just feel like a real amateur."

"You look like one, but I won't hold it against you," he teased.

"Seeing this side of you kinda just adds to the sexy," she winked at him.

"Oh, then I'm nothing but sexy 'cause this is my favorite thing," he laughed. Lourdes really couldn't convey how much seeing him so loose and carefree gave her a lift of her own. He was the type of person that energized a room and watching him dance and glide the night away was everything to Lourdes.

By the time Lourdes got comfortable on her skates and was able to somewhat keep up with Justin, her legs began to give out and she was forced to take a seat. Not wanting anyone to get the idea to leave early, she grabbed a slushy and broke a few dollars into quarters to play video games.