That's South Side

Chapter 2

"Alinea?" Mr. Reinsdorf questioned, peeking his head in her office.

"What's up?" She asked, looking up from her computer.

"The benefit," He began, referring to the Chicago Bulls Benefit being thrown that night for a charity the tea worked with, "I'd really liked it if you'd come."

"I don't know Jerry," She sighed to her boss, "You know that kinda stuff is tough."

"I'll let you have an extra day vacation." He bargained with a laugh.

"Hmm," Alinea grinned, "Fine, deal."

"Good," He nodded, getting back towards the door, "I'll see you around 7, you know what to do." He nodded.

Alinea just shook her head as he headed back down the hall. She hated these things. Just a bunch of rich people all dressed up, eating, drinking. Ugh.

----------

"Where are you goin lookin like that?" Her brother and current roommate asked, seeing Alinea in a much too fancy dress.

"Benefit." She said, making a face.

"Bluh." He shook his head, "Well good luck with that." He laughed.

"Why are you such a dick, Isaiah?" She sighed, putting her heels on

"Who knows?" He teased, "Have fun for me, really wish I was going." He said sarcastically, pulling a beer from the fridge.

"Yeah, yeah yeah." Alinea breathed, "Bye, asshole." She giggled.

----------

Alinea helped set up once she got there, but now that the event had become underway – her job was done. She figured while she was here she might as well get some free food and booze, she deserved it right?

Jerry was giving some kinda speech about how happy he was that everyone was there and blah, blah, blah. Alinea wasn't really listening as she approached the open bar and ordered a drink.

"Ah, south side knows how to dress up, huh?" She heard a voice ask from behind her. She reluctantly, turned to see Dwyane Wade.

"Guess so." Alinea shrugged, as the bartender handed her her drink, "I mean look at you." She laughed slightly, looking at Wade's extravagant suit.

"Hey," He defended, "once you get out, it's a whole new life. Right?" He asked.

"I wouldn't really know," She shrugged, "I mean I'm still livin there."

"Really?" Dwyane asked with surprise.

"Yeah," She shrugged, taking another sip from her drink, "I mean, I don't have any problems."

"Neither did I," He breathed, "It's just kinda nice to get away from...all that shit sometimes." He shrugged.

"I don't know, maybe." Alinea replied, "My parents are there, my siblings, everyone...it's a community." She said, "But you already know that." She acknowledged.

"All I'm sayin," Dwyane reiterated, "Is it might be holdin you back." He shrugged, as Alinea gave him a confused look, "Or maybe not, I don't know." He laughed.

"Yeah, well I'll let you know when I move into my mansion on Lake Shore Drive." She teased.

"Good, you do that." He nodded, walking back off into the busy room.

Alinea just shook her head. Leave the south side? Nah.

A little later into the evening she found herself being thrown into random groups of people to talk with. She forced laughed at almost everything these people had to say, she just was not feeling it. Eventually, she was thrown into a group that was composed of Mr. Reinsdorf, a few other randoms, and Jimmy and Taj Gibson.