Familiar Faces in the Oddest Places

“So where exactly are we going?” I asked as all three of us made our way down the street.

“I don’t know.” Alistar shrugged.

“Do you see why I call you an idiot?” Sasha exclaimed, “I have the perfect idea.”

Sasha’s perfect idea was to head to the playground nearby because where else would you go to have fun at eleven o’clock at night.

Sasha called up Trey as we walked down the street to the park.

“Hey, sorry for calling so late but Alistar was being an idiot and wanted to go somewhere,” Sasha said into the phone.

“And what does that have to do with calling me?” Trey replied.

“Well, Sage is with us and Alistar, finally, asked her out so I didn’t want to be a third wheel
so you need to come too.” Then she added, “Please.”

“Where are you guys going?”

“The playground.” Trey laughed.

“I’ll be there.”

“Thanks, see you then.”

“Trey’s coming,” Sasha announced as she hung up her cell phone.

“The more the merrier,” I replied.

We continued walking down the street light lit road until we came up to the local playground.

“Oo, oo, I’m going on the slide,” Sasha exclaimed running onto the play set to get to the
large metal slide.

Alistar and I laughed. “You know we’re not five anymore.” Sasha turned around at the top of
the slide and stuck her tongue out at me.

“Hey,” I shouted, sticking my tongue out at her. Then I ran up to the slide as she slid down it.
I sat down at the top of it and pushed myself down. I slid all the way to the bottom, where I
stumbled as the slide came to the end.

Alistar stood at the bottom and caught me as I stumbled.

“You always were bad at coming down slides,” he mumbled.

“What?” How would he know I always had bad landings going down a slide?

“Nothing.”

“Come on,” I grabbed his arm and pulled him up to the top of the slide where Sasha had
already slid down.

I gave him a push toward it.

“It’s your turn,” I said to him.

“I’m not going down the slide,” he protested.

“You’re going down or I’m going to push you down,” I stated.

“Oh yeah,” he challenged.

“Yeah.”

“Let’s see you try then.” Just as I was about to push him he grabbed me around the waist
and the next thing I know we’re going down the slide. It’s impossible when you’re sliding
down with two people for each of you to land on your feet at the end of a slide, so we ended
up on our asses in the wood chips.

“Nice going.” I turned around to look at Alistar.

“You were going to push me. Last time I checked pushing some one down a slide is not
very nice. I think you deserved it.”

I scoffed. “Fine, race you to the monkey bars.” With that said I sprinted off to the monkey
bars. Once he realized what I had said he was quickly up off the ground and gaining speed
towards me. Just as I was about to touch them, his hand reached them first.

“No fair,” I pouted.

“No fair? You got a head start and I still beat you. In your face,” he gloated.

“You know I was never really good at the monkey bars. I could only go about halfway before I
fell.” I have absolutely no upper body strength.

“Yeah.” He sighed. Then he pulled himself up on the monkey bars with his arms and
positioned himself on top. So he was strong, big whoop. He smirked down at me in a ‘I’m
so amazing’ way.

“Wow that’s so amazing. You’re so strong,” I said sarcastically.

“You know you love it,” he said while jumping down.

“Maybe, maybe not.”

“You so do. See I can do this.” Suddenly I was scooped up into his arms.

“Alistar, put me down.” He chuckled before setting me back down.

“See you like it.”

“Yeah, now.” I poked him before screaming, “You’re it!” I dashed away from him as he
started chasing me. He was faster than me and soon caught up to me.

“Tag, you’re it,” he stated before running away. I ran after him and we passed the slide
where Sasha was. As soon as I saw her I tagged her.

“Tag, you’re it.” Sasha smiled before running after the both of us. As we rounded a corner,
Trey came walking up.

“Hey, guys I’m here,” he said.

“Hi,” Alistar and I replied as we stopped as soon as Sasha pulled Trey into a hug. They
kissed each other before Sasha pulled back poked him saying, “You’re it.” And ran off with
the rest of us. We split up Trey hot on our heels as we ran around. We played tag for a little
bit before we got too tired.

Then we headed over to the swing set. The swings were always one of my favorites.

I sat down on one of the swings while Sasha sat on the one to my left.

“Push me,” Sasha demanded Trey.

“You’re not five, you can swing without me pushing you,” Trey replied taking a seat on the
swing on Sasha’s other side.

“Trey,” Sasha whined, “Push me. Pleaseeee.” I laughed as Trey ignored her and began

swinging. Alistar came up behind me.

“Would you like me to push you?” he asked.

“If you’d like to,” I answered. He gave me a few pushes till I was high before he sat down on
the swing to the right of me.

“See Trey, Alistar pushed Sage and she didn’t even ask. What kind of boyfriend are you?”
Sasha complained.

“Sage didn’t demand that Alistar push her. He offered on his own. That just means he’s

whipped.” Sasha didn’t take that all too well.

“Humph.” Sasha got off the swing and started angrily walking off.

“Sash,” Trey called, “Come on, I’m sorry.” He got up off his swing catching her before she
walked any farther. “You know I’m an ass sometimes. I was just kidding.”

Sasha ignored him, not looking into his eyes.

“I’ll push you,” Trey offered.

“Fine,” Sasha said huffily. She walked back to the swing and Trey pushed her. As soon as
she was high enough she started laughing and Trey stopped pushing her. He smiled at
her. We all stayed on the swings for a little while longer until it was getting really late.

“I’m tired. I wanna go,” I yawned.

Sasha nodded her head, agreeing with me. “Yeah it’s like one in the morning already.”

“Let’s go then.” Alistar hopped off the swing.

“I can give you guys a lift. I brought my car,” Trey offered. We all agreed and started heading
to where he parked his car. Alistar and I got into the back seat and Sasha sat up front by
Trey.

I leaned my head onto Alistar’s shoulder. I needed to get some sleep. The ride was really
short and we arrived at the house in no time.

“Thanks for the ride,” I managed to get out before I sluggishly got out of the car.

“Yeah, man. See ya.” Alistar came up next to me making sure I didn’t trip or something.

“See ya,” Trey replied.

--

Sasha remained in the car as she watched Alistar and Sage walk into the house. Trey
turned to look at her.

“We’re okay, right?” he asked.

“Yeah, we’re fine.” She sighed.

“Sash, you know me. I’m sorry. I’m still not used to the whole whipped boyfriend thing.”

“I know that. That’s what I like about you. You wouldn’t totally just drool over some girl, you’re independent too.” She smiled looking at him but then she said seriously, “But it would be

nice if you could be a little bit more… I don’t know. Do stuff like that? Act like a boyfriend and
do stuff for me every once and awhile.”

He smirked. “I can do that.” He leaned across the car and captured her lips. He then moved
to her neck and started lightly nibbling on it before he whispered in her ear, “I’ll be the best
half whipped boyfriend ever.” Sasha giggled before giving him another kiss.

“Goodnight, Trey.” Sasha opened the door.

“Goodnight, Sasha.” Sasha got out of his car and closed the door. She watched with a smile
on her face as his car zoomed away before heading inside.