Chapter Eighteen
The mall had transformed from a battleground of bullying to a playground of luxury. Zed, Lotus, and Khalil had decided to treat their newly formed crew—Lena, Cris, and Jay—to a day they would never forget. No more rough edges, no more taunts from kids who thought they were better; today, they were all part of Zed's Crew.
They walked through the grand entrance of a five-star restaurant located at the top floor of the mall, where the chandeliers sparkled like diamonds and the soft hum of the ambient music made everything feel as though it was ripped straight out of a glamorous movie. Zed pushed the doors open with his usual swagger, letting the trio of less fortunate friends take in the opulence around them.
"Alright" Zed said, throwing a casual glance over his shoulder to make sure they were all following. "This place has the best food in town and it's on me today. So, no complaints. Just enjoy the ride"
Khalil, always the social butterfly, clapped Jay on the back with a grin. "You're gonna love this place. They have a chocolate soufflé that will make you forget your name"
Lotus, who rarely showed emotion but enjoyed the quiet comfort of luxury, walked beside Lena. He shot her a small smile, his usual aloof expression giving way to a softer side. "We're here to make sure you guys enjoy yourselves. No worrying about anything"
As they took their seats, the waitstaff immediately arrived with a menu that could easily feed an army. Zed didn't even need to look at it—he knew the place by heart. He waved it off dismissively, instead ordering a collection of dishes that were as expensive as they were exotic.
Lena, Cris, and Jay were a little overwhelmed. The food was all so... fancy. They were used to street food, simple things, and here they were about to indulge in caviar, foie gras, and decadent desserts they had only ever seen in movies.
"What do you think?" Zed asked casually, noticing the hesitation in their eyes.
Jay looked up from the menu. "I've never eaten anything like this before. I don't even know how to pronounce half of this stuff"
Zed chuckled. "Don't worry about it. Just eat. You're with us now and when you're with me, it's all on me" He leaned back in his chair, looking at his friends with a mischievous grin. "This is just the beginning, by the way"
As the food arrived, they all dug in, the luxury surrounding them in every bite. Zed had a way of making everyone feel at ease, even in the most opulent places. The conversation was light, fun, and filled with laughter as they shared stories, ate, and drank.
After the meal, Zed leaned back in his chair, clearly pleased. "So, that was the first part of the day. You guys ready for the next?"
Lotus stood up, giving a slight nod. "Let's go. Shopping spree time"
With a snap of his fingers, Zed gestured for them to follow him out of the restaurant. Khalil was already bouncing with excitement. "Time to get you guys something nice. Forget all that 'I can't afford it' nonsense—today, we're going big"
They walked through the mall like a small, exclusive army, their confidence radiating out to everyone around them. Zed was a natural leader, and Lotus and Khalil fit right in beside him—charming and confident. The group reached the most extravagant department store in the mall, where the clothes were so high-end they practically screamed wealth. Zed headed straight for the best sections, pointing out everything with a casual flick of his wrist.
"You three are gonna be so fresh, you won't even recognize yourselves" Zed said, his voice full of humor and challenge.
Lena's eyes widened as she looked at the racks of designer clothes, unsure if she was worthy of any of it. "I don't know… This is all so expensive"
"You think I care about that?" Zed asked, raising an eyebrow. "If it looks good, you wear it. Simple as that"
Without another word, he started picking out clothes for them. For Lena, a stunning dress that clung to her frame in all the right ways. For Cris, a sleek, tailored suit that would have cost an arm and a leg in any other store. Jay was gifted a designer jacket that match his personality perfectly.
"Put it on" Zed commanded with a smirk, as they stood in the middle of the store. "Try it out and trust me—you'll look amazing"
They did and to their shock they felt amazing. There was something about the new clothes, the way they fit perfectly, that made them stand a little taller, speak a little clearer. The poor kids who had once felt like they didn't belong now walked like they owned the place.
Zed, Lotus, and Khalil watched them with satisfaction, proud of the way their new friends were carrying themselves. Zed's grin only grew as he spotted another high-end accessory section. "Alright, now for the finishing touch" he said, heading straight toward the sunglasses rack. He picked out three pairs—each one more ridiculous and expensive than the last—and handed them over.
"Put 'em on" he said with a smirk. "You're gonna look like movie stars"
They did and for a brief moment they actually felt like movie stars.
The group strolled around the mall, occasionally stopping for more purchases or to get a snack. Zed wasn't stingy and his friends were quickly learning that he had more than enough to share. He treated them like equals and for the first time in a long while Lena, Cris, and Jay didn't feel like outsiders.
As they made their way to the food court to grab a snack before heading out, Zed turned to the trio of less fortunate kids, his voice a little softer than usual.
"I know you guys didn't grow up with this stuff" he said. "But that doesn't mean you're not worth it. You belong here, just like anyone else"
Lena smiled, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Thank you, Zed. This... this is so much. I never imagined we'd be able to do something like this"
"Yeah" Cris added, laughing softly. "This is beyond anything we could've dreamed of"
Zed's eyes softened but his grin never wavered. "It's no big deal. You guys are my crew now and crew takes care of each other"
Khalil nodded, his usual carefree expression now mixed with something a little deeper. "Today's just the beginning. You're part of the team now"
They left the mall in high spirits, the day spent basking in luxury and friendship and as they walked out into the parking lot, Zed led the way, his friends following behind him with new clothes, new confidence, and a new perspective on life.
This was more than just a shopping spree. It was the start of something bigger—a bond that would last far longer than any designer outfit could ever.