Forbidden Love

I love going on public outings with my family mainly because since there are so many people with different personalities, they’ll clash and something is bound to happen that’ll make us laugh until we cry. I’m especially excited this time because we’ll get to show our two new siblings our dynamic and welcome them into it.

I was dressed in a cute outfit consisting of regular jeans, chunky sneakers, and a plain black sweatshirt. This time, we decided to go to a small-ish skating rink that we often go to. Our dad’s friends with the owner so we go there at least four times a year to bond and enjoy ourselves.

I pulled up to the skating rink, super excited to finally get on the ice since I had to miss on the last family trip here due to work. I greeted everyone who had already arrived before Dad told me that we were waiting for Lin, David, and Charlotte. I ended up goofing around with Diamond and Daniel until they finally arrived, late as hell, might I add.

“And y’all are always complaining about me being late?” I sarcastically told Lin, snorted when she gave me a look that translated to “I’m going to kill you.”

“Shut up! You didn’t have to pick up two other people, so suck a-”

“Aye, aye, aye! Let’s just go inside,” Mom said, cutting her off. I stifled a giggle and stuck my tongue out just to antagonize her Lin more. Pat, the owner of the ice skating rink, sported a huge smile, flashing his almost perfect teeth at us when we walked into the lobby.

“Hey, how y’all doing?” he asked, grinning. “I was thinking it was ‘bout time for the Chantele family to drop by!”

“What’s up, Pat,” my dad greeted, nodding his head towards the man. We all greeted Pat with hugs and kisses on the cheek, answering his questions about our health and asking him the same questions back. His eyes eventually fell upon Diamond and Daniel, the twins who were trying to hide behind Momma’s purse. Somehow, his smile grew bigger.

“And what do we have here?” he asked with a smile.

Mom answered after it became evident that the twins were too shy to answer. “This is Diamond and Daniel, the new additions to our family! They’re twins.” She smiled brightly, looking at the two with pride. The twins waved after a little bit of prompting and I giggled since that’s how I acted when Mom first started introducing me to family friends.

“Well, ain’t that lovely!” He squatted down to speak with the two face-to-face and asked if they wanted lollipops while we got our skates. He also helped them put their skates on before welcoming us into the rink that painted half of my childhood memories. Then, he went to greet other customers.

As soon as we stepped into the main area with the rink, the disco light shined across my eyes. The rink was kind of old fashioned and played a lot of 80’s and 90’s music, which I actually enjoy. The lights were pretty much all the way dimmed and the only light that really shone through was the disco light coming from the ball that was hanging from the ceiling. I breathed in the slightly perfumed and cold air, memories of learning to skate here with my family flooded into my head. I became a bit emotional but didn’t shed a single tear since I wanted to have fun today, not cry.

I was the first to be ready to skate so I quickly entered the rink and skated to the middle of it. I decided to show off a bit since there weren’t many people on the ice yet. Starting off slow, I vibed with the music, getting a feel for the beats before I began doing a full on choreography. I was so into the dancing that I didn’t notice Donny, Leo, and Grace sneak up from behind me. All three of them screamed next to my ears and I fell flat on my ass mid-spin.

They all burst out laughing, same with everyone who attempted to stifle their laughter. Even Momma was giggling. And, honestly, if it weren’t for the twins giggling and smiling, I would’ve smacked them dead in the face since my ass hurt so much.

“I see y’all like playing games.” I glared at the three.

“Sorry, sis. We’re just messing with you,” Leo said as he helped me get back up on my feet.

I innocently smiled. “It’s okay. I just know I’m going to beat you in this race though,” I laughed out, smacking his head. He rubbed his head with a glare.

much you wanna

30 for

for Leo,” Donny

a date. And if I lose, you get to choose whatever punishment you want. How

sis, you don’t wanna know what I have planned for you. Let’s

the ice, preparing to launch

“Ready?” Grace asked.

“Yeah!” we yelled back.

of the rink and

“I won’t!”

Leo!” Donny called out to Leo, causing me

“Go!”

to race was because I knew Leo didn’t

making it the other end of the rink in no time. Then I quickly began making my way back,

family’s cheering and hooting was silenced by a round of laughter. Even Daniel had a grin on his face, hands clapping as he cheered for me, which was good since he was usually pretty shy and

Leo passed after me as well. Right when I opened my mouth to brag about

because you won, doesn’t mean

does!” I grinned. “Did you forget about the deal, darling? I get to set you up

just joking when I said that. Mom! She’s tryna

going to have to deal

took a liking to

car and got out of it before I noticed the guy from earlier, Keanu…I think, also getting

would hear me. I felt like it would be rude of

from his phone, the frown on his face disappearing when he saw it was I who called his name. “Hey, Aisha! It’s nice seeing

you. You alright, though? You don’t look

Just remembered that I don’t have any more essential oils and I need them to fall asleep, usually. All the shops that have them are closed right

therapy so I have, like, a huge collection of oils. I can let you borrow a few if you’d like?”

I began regretting letting the man into my place since that was just weird. Nevertheless, I had him sit in the kitchen while I went to my bathroom to