The Devil In Disguise

Black Friday Bliss

The early morning air was crisp and biting as Gianina, Mary, Cal, Marcus, and Rufus bundled up, laughter already escaping their lips as they piled into Gianina's car. It was Black Friday, and they'd decided to go all out—a way to distract themselves, even if only for a few hours. They hadn't laughed much lately, and today, they seemed determined to make up for it.

"Alright, team," Marcus announced from the backseat, rubbing his hands together with mock intensity. "Today, we shop like there's no tomorrow."

Gianina laughed, glancing at him in the rearview mirror. "Just remember, there are limits. No loading up on things that don't fit in the car."

"Noted," he replied, though the mischievous grin on his face suggested otherwise.

As they arrived at the packed mall parking lot, Gianina barely managed to find a spot. It was still early, and the mall was already buzzing with people, carts overflowing with everything from tech gadgets to clothing.

They stepped inside, where the chaos of Black Friday sales engulfed them. Shoppers weaved through the aisles, pulling discounted items off shelves with fierce determination, but the group seemed immune to the frenzy. For them, today was just about enjoying each other's company.

"Alright," Gianina said, her voice bright. "Here's the deal: you can get whatever you want, but keep it reasonable. And don't make me regret saying this."

Mary grinned, giving her a playful nudge. "Better watch out, GG. That's an open invitation for chaos."

Gianina just laughed, feeling the excitement bubble up. She was more than happy to splurge a little, treating her friends as a small way to thank them for being there through the toughest times.

Cal and Marcus exchanged mischievous glances, already eyeing the electronics store on the far end of the mall. "Guess we'll start over there," Cal said, shooting Gianina a playful wink.

"Within reason!" she called after them as they disappeared into the store, Rufus trailing behind with a smirk on his face.

Mary looped her arm through Gianina's, and they headed toward the clothing stores, each grabbing a basket as they browsed through the aisles.

Mary held up a cozy-looking sweater. "What do you think? Good for winter?"

"It's perfect," Gianina replied, smiling. "And definitely get that scarf. It'll match."

They meandered through the aisles, Gianina enjoying the rare moment of normalcy. Mary picked out a few more items, including a skincare set she'd been eyeing and a new eyeshadow palette, chatting with Gianina as they went.

"You're sure you don't mind?" Mary asked, glancing down at her basket. "I mean, I don't want to overdo it."

"Mary, please. You've been my rock through everything. If anything, I should be buying you even more," Gianina said, her voice soft but sincere. "Consider it an early Christmas gift."

Mary smiled, squeezing Gianina's hand. "Well, in that case... let's find some more deals!"

Meanwhile, in the electronics store, the boys were on a mission. Marcus held up an Xbox X with a triumphant grin, turning to Cal and Rufus. "Think she'll notice if we add this?"

Cal chuckled, grabbing a headset and tossing it into the cart. "She did say 'within reason,' but technically she didn't say 'no consoles.'"

"Or a big-screen TV," Rufus added, grabbing a massive box and struggling to maneuver it into the already-full cart.

By the time they were done, their cart was overflowing with tech gear: wireless headphones, a stack of video games, and—true to Rufus's plan—a flat-screen TV.

"Alright, let's go find GG and show her our haul," Marcus said, struggling to keep a straight face.

The boys rolled their cart through the mall, drawing a few curious glances from shoppers as they navigated their way back to the clothing section. Gianina spotted them first, her eyes widening as she took in the two carts loaded to the brim with electronics and, incredibly, the massive TV box. She accepted the three Xbox X's though.

"You guys!" she exclaimed, a mix of laughter and exasperation in her voice. "Seriously?"

Marcus flashed her a sheepish grin. "Well, you did say 'anything.'"

"Yeah, but a flat-screen?" Gianina shook her head, unable to hide her amusement. "Put the TV back. There's literally one in every bedroom at my place."

Cal shrugged, trying to look innocent. "Hey, we were just maximizing the holiday spirit."

She laughed, rolling her eyes as she helped them unload the unnecessary items. But she didn't have the heart to make them put back the rest of their haul; it was just too good to see them this happy.

"Alright, alright," she conceded, giving in to their hopeful looks. "But that's it. Nothing else that requires two people to carry."

They left the electronics store, the boys beaming as they pushed their cart filled with the items they'd managed to keep. Marcus and Rufus immediately began comparing headsets, debating the merits of each one, while Cal seemed more interested in the games they'd picked out, already planning a group game night.

"Alright, we've got what we need," Gianina said, glancing at her watch. "How about food? I'm starving."

They headed to the food court, laughing and chatting as they picked out their orders. With trays loaded with fast food, they found a table and dug in, the lively energy of the mall filling the air around them.

For a while, it was as though they'd stepped into a different reality, one where fear and loss didn't exist. They joked about the chaotic crowds, shared bites of each other's food, and laughed over silly inside jokes.

"So, Marcus," Rufus began, raising an eyebrow. "How's it feel to have GG as your personal Black Friday sponsor?"

Marcus smirked, glancing at Gianina with a twinkle in his eye. "Honestly? Feels pretty great." He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "But I'd take her over all the tech in the world any day."

Gianina felt a blush rise to her cheeks, her heart lifting as she leaned into him. "Good answer," she said, smiling.

As they finished up, Mary suggested a few last stops—mostly smaller shops for holiday decorations and trinkets. The boys feigned reluctance but followed along, joking the entire time about glittery wreaths and scented candles. Gianina picked up a few decorations for her home, adding small details to make it feel festive despite everything.

By the time they were ready to leave, their car was packed to the brim with shopping bags and boxes. Marcus squeezed into the backseat, his legs propped up against bags of electronics, while Rufus and Cal wedged themselves in with stacks of boxes beside them. It was cramped, but the laughter and good-natured teasing filled the car as they drove home, the joy of the day lingering in the air.

As they pulled up to Gianina's house, they piled out of the car, still talking excitedly about their new treasures. They spent the rest of the evening in the living room, unpacking their haul and setting up the new tech. Marcus and Cal challenged each other to games, their laughter echoing through the room, while Gianina and Mary tried out makeup and shared skincare tips, comparing shades and giggling like little kids.

The day had been a brief escape, a reminder of the fun they'd once taken for granted. But it was more than that—it was a reminder of the bond they shared, a bond that had grown stronger through everything they'd faced.

As night fell, they settled onto the couches, exhausted but happy. Marcus pulled Gianina close, his arm wrapped around her as they relaxed, her head resting on his shoulder. She closed her eyes, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't felt in weeks, grateful for the simple joy of being surrounded by the people who meant the most to her.

"Thanks, GG," Mary whispered, nudging her with a small smile. "For today. For everything."

Gianina squeezed her hand, returning the smile. "Anytime."

And as they drifted off into comfortable silence, the weight of the past months lifted just a little, a soft reminder that they still had each other—and that, for now, was enough.