Hey guys! Here's a new story I've been working on- one that is loosely inspired by own experiences. It's a little more story driven. Do let me know what you think. I read each and every comment, and fully appreciate all the feedback you guys give me. Thanks for sticking around.
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Chapter 1: The subtle art of avoiding your problems through sex
Jamie pulled on both ends of his coat, wrapping himself up like a tightly wound burrito as he trudged along Geary Boulevard in what could only be described as the coldest night in San Francisco. He remembered the first time he walked down this strip as a freshman- taking note of all the bars he'd eventually drink at and every eatery he'd try when he had some money of his own. All of that eagerness and wonder had melted into a rosy-colored puddle he seldom dipped his feet in. These days, it felt like the city was doing everything it could to chase him out.
He remembered the last time he wore this tan coat- Marissa, his best friend who lacked any sort of filter said he looked like an extra stuffed burrito from Chipotle underneath all of those layers-complete with a dark brown beanie that resembled carnitas. She always said it like it was.
The two had met one late night in the studio- it was quick intro followed by a couple of hours of working silence, filled only by the music playing into their respective headphones. He ran into her the next day and the day after that, realizing she was friends with this group he'd just been welcomed into. It was like they were destined to be in each other's circles, and Jamie knew better than to test fate.
He checked his watch to see he was already late as the avenues increased in value. It was the last Wednesday of the month- a day that he and his friends set aside for a standing dinner together. It was one of those drunken ideas that spurred up after one impromptu get-together: the group of friends had complained they hadn't hung out in a while, to which Marissa suggested a monthly dinner.
Jamie thought back to that night- a rare occasion that each of their schedules had lined up and everyone was suddenly free to grab drinks. Each of them had been busy getting acclimated to their new jobs and lives after graduation that they hadn't seen each other in nearly weeks.
Kevin, another one of Jamie's best friends, shook his head about, messing the oxford shirt he'd come in after a day of corporate life. "I'm all for monthly dinners, but why Wednesdays of all days?"
Without skipping a beat, Marissa gave him a knowing look and a shrug, "Why not, Kevin? It's not like you're getting humped on Humpday." The two were often thorns in each other's sides- mostly attributed to the fact that they'd gone to high school together and thus couldn't hide behind the cooler, more mature personas most people adopted in college.
Kev rolled his eyes, "Whatever Riss, it's not like you're dating either."
Jamie inched his way between the two, "Come on guys, we're all desperately single here." He placed a hand on Marissa's shoulder, "But you know, you two could always just get together. I mean you did go to prom together." Kevin had mentioned that he used to have feelings for Marissa way back when- feelings which have long since disappeared when they actually became friends and she wasn't just some object of his affection, perched on a pedestal and without fault. Now they were just the siblings he had that could never get along.
Marissa audibly gagged, placing the back of her hand on her forehead like it was providing her some relief. "I was young and naive. And Kevin was the first guy to ask- I couldn't say no."
"Yeah, yeah." Kevin replied with an eye roll just as Garrett came back with the next round. He handed each of them their drinks- a pair of matching Jack and Coke's for Jamie and Kev, a Moscow mule for himself and a whiskey sour for the lady.
"What're they fighting about now?" He asked as he took hold of the copper cup.
"Who's got a bigger dick."
"Ah so the usual, then" Garrett replies, getting a chuckle from Jamie.
"But Riss is proposing a dinner- the last Wednesday of every month. You down?"
Garrett took a second to enjoy his drink, "Yeah, but as long as we don't eat anywhere basic. If I'm gonna drop cash on a meal, it better be good."
That was nearly a year ago and the group had managed to stick to their once a month dinner rule- minus a few modifications for holidays and family birthdays. These monthly dinners brought both excitement and dread to Jamie, who often felt insignificant compared to the accomplishments the rest of his friends seemed to enjoy. They had all graduated last year and each went into work right off the bat- with Kevin getting swept up into corporate finance life and Garrett happening upon an internship at a large architecture firm that later turned into a great job. Even Marissa, who like Jamie had started in a medium-sized arch firm, was soon brisked away when the company was bought out and made massive. That left Jamie, who'd been at the same job and cubicle he'd had for the past year and a half. He just didn't know how much longer he'd be able to smile and nod his way through.
Even today, as he sat at his desk working on some project he knew he had too much experience doing, he felt like he could walk out at any moment and no one at the office would know he left or even care. So he sucked up all of his pride and finished up the rest of the day. And after what felt like an hour-long coaching session with himself, he worked up enough courage to finally convince himself to tell his friends the truth- that soon, he'd pack up and leave San Francisco, and them, for good.
***
He opened the doors to that small Thai restaurant that he and all of his friends loved ever since they first ventured out of the campus cafeteria and into the world of San Francisco cuisine. He saw them, perched at the far end in a booth that they'd eaten in at least a handful of times. Before he even got to the table, he heard Marissa calling out in her best attempt at a Spanish accent.
"Hola señor, I see we have burritos on special today", she said pulling him into a hug.
Jamie playfully swatted her away, "Shut up, I happen to love this coat, plus it's a fucking tundra out there."
Kevin rolled his eyes, "Dude, it's light sweater weather at best. You'd think after five years, you'd have adjusted."
"Nope, not in the slightest." He said, knowing that Kev was a Bay Area native with no room for reason. "I still have my flip flops and tank tops packed away to prove it."
He leaned over the table and gave Kev and Garrett two half hugs before taking a seat next to Marissa.
"So, what's everyone been up to?" he said, resting his forearms on the wooden table.
Garrett immediately responded, "Well, I actually have a bit of news"
Kevin threw his hands up in protest, "Before we get into that, can we order? Jamie kept us waiting for like fifteen minutes and I'm starving." Leave it to Kevin to be all "business first, fun later", Jamie thought to himself. There was this meticulous nature of his friend that perfectly paired with his own chaotic energy- like two magnets who'd bonded over comic book movies and obscure hip hop tastes.
Jamie threw his straw paper trash over at Kevin as the group agreed to order first.
Their food came piping hot just as Jamie's empty stomach growled. He remembered all the times they used to come here, scraping together enough cash for dinner- back before they had real jobs and didn't have to question whether or not to order appetizers. Sometime after digging into their meals, Marissa broke their current conversation, asking.
"Wait Gar, you never told us your news."
Garret wiped his mouth, "Oh yeah! Um, so Lisa and I are moving to Oakland."
Garret and Lisa were two fellow architecture majors Jamie and Riss had gotten close to down in the trenches of their basement studio hall. In many ways they were parallels, closest to each other apart from the rest of the group. Lisa was off in graduate school, barely making time for the friend group in favor of study sessions and naps- neither of which anyone gave her grief for.
The rest of them opened their mouths in shock. "Wait what?" Kevin asked, "You love it here dude!"
Jamie sat back silent. In many ways, he and Garrett were the same. They were both island boys who'd found their way to the mainland, and the city, nonetheless. Jamie often bonded with him- talking about their simpler lives back home and what they missed about it. But Garrett adjusted way quicker than he did like a fish to new water. Soon, the tan boy blended in with Kev and Riss, both California natives themselves, unintentionally leaving Jamie as the odd one out.
Garrett nodded, "I'll miss the city, yes, but there's so many advantages bro. First off, Kelly's leaving to go live back in San Jose which means Lisa and I would have to cover her share of rent which is no bueno." He reasoned with them, "I mean I'll still be working here, I'll just be commuting everyday."
"How soon is this?" Jamie asked.
Garret shrugged, "In two weeks." He reached for his water and took a drink, "Our lease is up at the end of the month and we just looked at a place this afternoon which we both liked. So once all the paperwork goes through, it's a done deal."
Jamie leaned back into the booth, aimlessly stirring his roasted duck fried rice. "I never thought I'd see the day."
"Me neither, but it's not like this changes much. If anything, it gives me an excuse to crash on your or Riss' couches." He said with a wink.
Jamie knew in that moment that he couldn't tell them- at least not tonight. It was almost as if Garrett had stolen the main act of the night and that any other big news would be too overwhelming. He had a stressful week and so right now, all he really wanted was to enjoy the rest of dinner without stirring up too much more.
Sometime after finishing their meal, Kevin suggested they go grab a drink nearby which- after several groans about work the next day- was finally agreed. The four of them made their way to The Bitter End, one of the dive bars they frequented in college and kept up with since. The dark wood interior and mixed drinks that tasted of flat soda left something to be desired, but it was familiar to them, and no matter how much he knew they could spend their money elsewhere, Jamie loved the place.
They each had about two drinks, drawing the line when Kevin suggested Jager bombs. After a string of goodbyes and half made plans to meet up this weekend, Jamie was the last one left, nursing the Corona he'd been drinking and wallowing in his decision to leave. He just didn't know where it all went wrong- how this adventure in the City turned out to be such an overwhelming and anxious experience that made him feel lesser than. He needed to get out, feeling like his only option would be to slip back in bed with his hometown- not because he really wanted to, but because it was easy.
He needed something to take his mind off things.
