Vivid Memories

Chapter 6

Christmas was around the corner, but it didn't feel like it. It was still hot, for some odd reason. Spending the Winter season in California was like deciding that summer will last forever.  I told my dad how blazing it was and he just laughed because he told me I should have expected it. Touché dad.

I went to LA to see what I could buy for Penny, Dante, and Caitlyn. I didn't know what Dante liked, but I know Penny liked stuffed toys and Caitlyn preferred artistic materials for her painting and canvases. I might have to ask Tyler what Dante likes, in terms of video games. Maybe a SteamTM gift card would work?

LA malls were large, but then again it was the city. If only the air pollution was low, then this place wouldn't be so bad. There were a lot of people there trying to show off how rich they were and all that. The hustle and bustle of life truly breathed down there.

Not gonna lie, I wished America had CEX. It was like a store where you can get used games, but the used games were actually usable. That would have made things easier to give something to Dante. Maybe he has a Switch? Or a PS? Ah, fuck it I'll just get him a Steam gift card.

Penny's gift was easy as it could have been. There were Tsum Tsums in the Disney store, so I got her a Tsum Tsum of Mickey. If this wasn't meant for her, I would have kept that Tsum Tsum in my bedroom.

For Caitlyn, I went to this bigass store which contained artsy stuff. I couldn't really explain it since it literally screamed out 'ART' all over the place. I trusted the recommendations from the store clerks and just bought her a large canvas and some expensive paint. Who cares? I had enough money anyways. I wasn't expecting them to give me anything in return. I just wanted to know I appreciate them as friends and people.

The girls and I were meeting the next day to watch a movie. I was pretty hyped out since I barely did much here with them. Penny would always seem to hang out with Tyler and Caitlyn was busy with club activities for the most part. I don't know what movie we're watching, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

I waited around the cinema and just kind of looked around. There weren't a lot of people around, but then again it was a Sunday, so people wouldn't go out often would they?

"Hey, what's a girl like you doing in a place like this?" There was this guy. Probably five foot ten. Blonde.

"Waiting for my friends to get here," I replied, checking my phone. Yo, guys. Hurry up. I do not want to get hassled by random people. "We're going to watch a movie."

"I love your accent. I'm guessing you're from England. Never knew all British girls were so beautiful," That's so cheesy. Now I wish I was lactose intolerant. He sat down next to me and shifted away from him slightly. "I'll keep you company until they come. Say, what's your name?"

"I'm sorry Ava that I'm late," I saw Dante walk towards me with a large bag of popcorn and some drinks. "Yo, who are you?"

"Who are you?" The guy asked back, somewhat feeling attacked by Dante's presence.

"Her boyfriend," My eyes widened and I gave Dante a 'what-the-fuck' look, but I don't think he cared. "Ava, baby, do you know him?"

"N-No, he's just a random stranger," I stood up and smiled at him, taking the drinks off him. "Thanks, babe."

"Like I said, who are you?" Dante asked, raising his eyebrow.

"None of your business," The guy walked off, probably upset that I wasn't single. God, how did Dante think of that from the start?

"Ava, baby? Really?" I echoed his words before laughing. "What the actual fuck Dante?"

"I saw you getting harassed by some random ass guy," He shrugged before taking the drinks back. "So I thought you needed some help."

"Why are you here anyway?" I asked, somewhat suspicious of his motives.

"Well, you told me to make friends didn't you?" He echoed my words before sighing. "So I joined the Esports Society. I made a few friends there and we're watching a movie now. Though they're just late. I saw you getting chatted up to and you looked uncomfortable so I thought, meh, why not save her?"

"But being my boyfriend was the first thing you could think of?" I raised my eyebrow again.

"Please, it's the classic excuse to use," Dante shook his head and sighed. "I used it often back in high school to save my friends from random-ass strangers back then."

"You had friends before?"

"Had. Past tense," He looked over his shoulder and noticed a group of like four people coming in. "That's my crew. I gotta ditch. Enjoy whatever you're doing."

I saw Dante grouping his friends. There were two guys and two girls there. A bunch of nerds. But Dante cracked a few smiles and laugh even with his new friends, so I'm glad he's enjoying himself. Though, I think there was something fishy going on. How can someone be so depressing then be so happy all of a sudden?

"Hey, Ava!" Penny hugged me from behind and Caitlyn walked up beside me. "Whatcha doing? Sorry, we're late. Someone took forever getting ready."

"My hair needed to dry Penny," Caitlyn sighed and flicked her hair. "You arrived too early."

"I arrived on time, actually," She rolled her eyes and giggled.

"I wasn't really doing much here," I shrugged and hugged Penny back. "Come on, let's decide what movie we're watching."

I'll get to the bottom of the mystery that is Dante LaVine. But that can wait.

My girls always come first.