Streetz 2: The Tried

10. Trying

"You see something you like?" 

"Tryin' to," I glanced between a few shirts and then Ariana. We were in the middle of the mall, doing some last-minute shopping on the day of Christmas Eve. Why we were here when it was packed with other motherfuckas trying to do the same shit? I don't know. But she wanted to pick out a few more gifts not knowing that I knew she was just trying to be nosey and see if I would find something for her. Little did she know, I had bought her gifts a few days ago. 

"You don't like this shirt?" She held up a Cotton Martini-fit shirt with branded bands. The shirt cost $200 and it looked dope, but not for a shirt.

"It's aight,"

"It'll look good with some slacks for the New Year's Convention," She picked through more shirts.

"I'm not spendin' $200 for a shirt,"

Ariana sighed and rolled her eyes, "Come on, you don't like anything in here. I don't even see how the hell you pick out clothes, you're so damn picky."

"I pick out what's comfortable and affordable, I don't need name-brand shit."

"You have name-brand clothes though Ermias," She sat her bags down and plopped on the nearby bench, "But if you want to act brand new, be my guest."

I ignored her comment and found a similar shirt that was way cheaper than what she was trying to get me to buy. I didn't mind the name-brand clothes, but if I didn't have the money, I wasn't about to pretend as if I had it. There were more important things for me to worry about and it seemed as if she had forgotten that. 

"That looks nice," Ari smiled, peeking from her phone to see the shirts I was holding.

"Oh yeah?" I went through a few more shirts, picked a few out, and grabbed a few pairs of shoes. We had walked around the mall in its entirety maybe twice. By the time she was done window shopping, we stood in line at the cafeteria to order some Chinese food. 

"Are you okay?" She held onto me, wrapping her arms around me as I stood in front of the register, waiting for our food.

"Yeah, I'm straight."

"You don't really seem excited for Christmas," 

I glanced at her before grabbing our bag of food and finding a spot for us to sit in the crowded ass cafeteria.

"I mean, I'm not gon lie, I'm excited 'cause I'm home but I'm nowhere near excited as you."

"I know," she sighed, "I can only imagine what really goes through your head nowadays."

"Don't worry, I'm good."

I sat her box of lo mein out and I opened up my box of shrimp fried rice and lemon pepper wings. We had two lemonades and four egg rolls. I wasn't really hungry but I had to remind myself to eat because at times I felt like I was still locked up and the thought would just fade my hunger. I still felt like I was on a schedule. Did she need to know that though? No, so, I was good.

"You're lying."

"Ariana, I really don't wanna go there today alright?" I mumbled, biting into my flat. I watched her pick up her lemonade with a little attitude and sigh.

"Can we just focus on Christmas and these stupid ass ugly sweaters you got everybody wearin'?" I grabbed her hand, trying to lighten the mood, "You the only person I know that goes all out for every damn holiday, it's ridiculous."

"I just like to make memories."

"What about your birthday?"

"What about it?" She stole a chicken wing from my box.