ᴡᴏᴏᴅʀɪᴅɢᴇ ᴅɪꜱᴄɪᴘʟɪɴᴀʀʏ ɪɴꜱᴛɪᴛᴜᴛɪᴏɴ

Trip

Same day
Omniscient
The Mall

"Do we really need all these clothes?" Bryson asked, watching as the pile of shopping bags started to multiply in everybody's hands. They'd been at the mall for what felt like forever — seven stores deep and counting — and these niggas kept finding new ones to stop in.

Ja'vari and Shèyaa nodded at the same time.
"New area means new wardrobe. And y'all still need shoes," Shèyaa said, eyes scanning the wall before pulling a few shirts down to look at.

Kasim smacked his lips. "Mane, we already been here forever. Don't we still gotta pack?" he asked, rubbing the back of his head.

"We got time, baby. We know what we doin'," Javari said, now focused on a display of shoes. He was standing next to Jacobi, both of them talking low about hotel arrangements and the drive. Ahead of them, Kamari, Addie, and Ty wandered in front of the group,occasionally reaching to drop something in the cart, only for Myla or Alex to stop them with a soft warning look or a shake of the head.

Kamari slowed down near a rack of hoodies, dragging his fingers across the fabric before leaning into one of them. "These soft," he mumbled, half to himself. His voice had that lazy edge that told Shèyya he was starting to slip a little. Sheyaa smiled, walking up behind him. "You like that one, huh?" he asked, brushing Kamari's shoulder. Kamari nodded, eyes half-lidded. "Alright, get it, baby. We'll grab your size." He handed it to him, folding it neatly before tossing it into the cart.

Meanwhile, Ty yawned so wide it made Addie giggle. "You tired already?" Myla teased, brushing Ty's curls back with her fingers. Ty just shrugged, rubbing at his eyes. "It's bright in here," he said softly.

Jacobi glanced over from where he stood with Javari, catching the sound in his tone. "C'mere, lil man." His voice dropped low, calm. Ty walked over, leaning against him without a word. Jacobi wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close while he and Javari finished their conversation.

After what felt like hours, they finally started heading toward the exit, bags weighing down everybody's hands. Kamari and Addie were in the middle comparing hoodies, while Nasir lagged behind Alex and Myla, scrolling through his phone like he wasn't tired too.

"So we drivin' down there, right?" Bryson asked, shifting one of the heavier bags onto his shoulder.

"Yeah," Javari said, jingling his keys. "It's like six hours. We'll head out early, stop halfway for food or somethin'." Kasim groaned. "Six hours in the car with y'all? I'm bringin' my headphones. Don't talk to me."

Shèyya laughed, bumping his arm. "You talk more than anybody here, quit playin'." Kamari grinned, "I wanna sit by the window." "You can," Shèyya said. "You, Addie, and Ty can take the back. Jacobi ridin' with us too, we'll switch halfway."

Jacobi nodded, adjusting one of Ty's bags. "Long as he don't knock out ten minutes in."

Ty just side-eyed him, and that made a few people laugh. Myla looked over at everyone, shaking her head with a small smile. "This trip gon' be somethin' else." "Yeah," Javari said, unlocking the doors. "But we need it. New scenery, clear heads."

Everybody went quiet for a second not awkward, just... agreeing without sayin' it. Then Bryson broke it with a loud sigh.

"Can we at least stop for food before we hit the highway?" That got a few laughs, and just like that, the moment passed.

The ride back was quiet for the most part, everyone halfway tired from walking all day. Music played low in the background, windows cracked just enough for some air. Kamari had his head leaned against the window, hoodie pulled up, while Addie scrolled through her phone beside him.