I remember getting the text from my best friend while I was taking my last break at Macy's. My best friend told me she was throwing a small party for her boyfriend's 23rd birthday, and they wanted me to be there. The party was the following night. I was hesitant to go because I had to work for the next 3 days straight. I didn't respond at the moment.
That night, I decided to respond and tell her I couldn't go. I knew what her parties were like; I would be drunk or high, or both at like 2AM and not be home until sunrise. She told me I should come by, even if it was only for an hour or two. I said maybe.
When I was at work the day of the party, there were hardly any customers, and I was working with one of my favorite coworkers, Daniel. He's a nice, cute, Latino guy. He was such a flirt, and we did once mess around, months prior, but we were just friends. I told him about the party, and he was advising me to go.
I proceed to ask him, "Will you go with me? I'll be the designated driver."
Daniel responded, "Yeah, let's do it, but you gotta dance with me, white boy."
He flashed his cute smile at me. I had never been much of a dancer, but I agreed and we decided to go at 10PM.
As I was driving there, it occurred to me that I was about to see a lot of people from high school, probably. My best friend's boyfriend had kept in touch with his high school group, and they frequently saw each other.
When Daniel and I arrived, I saw that there were quite a few people that were from our high school, but others were not. It was about 30 people in total. I walked over and hugged my best friend and her boyfriend, and gave them a bottle of Buchanan's. I addressed the group sitting in front of them as a whole as I waved hello. I introduced Daniel, and then we went to get some food. I went to grab a beer, and as I reached into the cooler, someone stood behind me. When I looked up, it was my former middle/high school bully.
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I had always been bullied in middle and high school. I was the fat gay kid at school from as early as 3rd grade. I had one particular straight boy bully me freshman and sophomore year, his name was Diego. But, after he got a girlfriend, I guess he no longer had time to bully me. That was also the same year I met Jessica, my best friend, and joined her friend group. So, I hadn't really spoken to Diego since that year.
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"Oh sorry, am I in your way? Do you want a specific beer? I can get it for you," I said.
"Uh yeah, get me a Dos Equis, would you?" He said.
I handed him the beer and was about to walk away when he said, "Hey, Eric, I know it's been a couple years, but do you remember me?"
I was unsure what to say. My inner gay pride wanted to slap him and cuss him out, but I figured that we were both adults now, and I should just take the high road.
"Yeah, Diego, I do remember you. Nice to see you." I said.
"Hey man, I know it was years ago, but sorry for being an asshole to you," he responded.
"There's no point in holding grudges. Don't worry about it," I said.
I smiled and walked away.
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Later in the night, after some beer pong and shots, I was sitting down at a table when dancing broke out. Daniel was already pretty buzzed, and he walked over to me and reminded me that I owed him a dance. I resigned to the fact that I had to dance, despite feeling a bit embarrassed due to my lack of rhythm. We started dancing and soon Daniel started to grab my waist and grind on me a bit. I wasn't necessarily uncomfortable because of him, I was more uncomfortable because of everyone else being around. I playfully got some distance, and a girl who we had met that night started dancing with us, and she eventually ended up grinding on Daniel. I took this as a chance to walk away and go pee.
When I came out of the bathroom, I sat at my table and I noticed Daniel and the aforementioned girl were kissing in a corner. It always amazed me how charming he was and how easily he could bag a guy or a girl. I was looking in their direction when Jessica walked over and asked if I was having fun. I said yes, and we talked before she had to go back and escort out some people who were leaving. I was playing a game on my phone, and noticed it was almost 1AM now. I was trying to figure out how to go and tell Daniel we had to leave without seeming like a complete asshole for interrupting his make-out session when someone sat right next to me and said....
"Hey, looks like your boyfriend abandoned you," said Diego.
"He's not my boyfriend, and he's over there making out with a girl, he plays both teams, and I'm simply his ride," I responded.
"So, no boyfriend?" Diego asked.