This morning, I got a text from Lauren. She invited me to go bowling with her and some coworkers. I had just started working at the Starbucks a few weeks ago when the semester began, so I figured it would be nice to officially meet everyone and feel less like the new guy. Lauren mentioned I should bring someone along if it made me feel more comfortable, but I opted not to, mostly because I had no one to bring. Nonetheless, I was excited to go because I was new in this city, which I still was still unsure of how I felt about, since I hadn't really gone anywhere besides to grocery stores and restaurants.
I walked to the bus stop by the dorms around 6PM. Lauren said she would give me a ride back, and I could always take the bus. It's one of the things I really like about living in Long Beach; the buses run right through the school and I can go almost anywhere within a 10-mile radius, easily. When I arrived, I saw Lauren, Carlos, Joseph and Claire standing at the register getting their shoes. I wondered if this was it since there are around 20 employees. I went over to greet them.
"Hi everyone," I said.
"Armando! I'm glad you made it," said Lauren, and then proceeded to give me a hug.
"What's up, man," said Joseph, who went in for a bro hug.
Claire and Carlos simply waved.
It wasn't until now that I realized Carlos and Claire were a couple, as they were holding hands. We proceeded to our bowling lanes. A few minutes later, 4 other people arrived. I only knew one of them, who was our manager Chris. I introduced myself to the other 3, a small Asian girl named Jennifer, a tall and lanky Latino guy named Eduardo, and a girl whose skin was as dark as it was flawless named Crystal. It seemed that the eight of us were it for the night. I had never bowled before, but I was somehow doing the 3rd best in terms of points in both games we played. During the 3rd game, Lauren got a phone call from her sister telling her that she left her keys in her car and was locked out. Lauren had the spare, so she had to go give it to her.
"Armando, I'm so sorry, I have to go now. It's kind of an emergency. If you need a ride, I will drive you as fast as I can, but we must go now," Lauren said in desperation.
"It's fine, I'll take the bus home. Plus, I wanna finish the game," I said, as nicely as I could.
"Okay, just be careful. Text me when you get home," she said before waving goodbye and taking off.
-
After the game, Joseph told me he was headed back to the dorms and would go with me on the bus. As we were waiting for the bus, we talked about the evening.
"So, did you have fun?" Joseph asked.
"Yeah, everyone seems really nice. I hope no one minded that I came along since I'm very new to the workplace and the group," I said.
"Nah, they're cool people. Plus, Chris really likes you, he asked Lauren to ask you to come, even though she had already asked you. Plus, he's the boss, so not like she wasn't going to," he mentioned, casually.
"Oh, that's nice of him. Although, I must admit I didn't think he even liked me when I met him," I responded.
"He does. He probably has a crush on you," Joseph said with a casual smile.
"Wait, what? Why?" I responded, in shock.
"Don't act like you don't know. You're young, you're cute, and you have a nice bubble butt. You're a top's dream," he said, ever so casually.
"I don't even know how to respond to that," I said, puzzled.
"Because I'm right. Anyway, it's no big deal, I say that more matter-of-factly than anything. I'm not hitting on you by the way. I mean, I'd fuck you if the opportunity presented itself, but I'm not trying to," He said, still about as casual as ever.
"Okay, that's nice to know, I suppose," I said, starting to blush.
"Hey, when you get a little older, you start to just blurt shit out like that, sorry if it made you uncomfortable," he said, finally showing a sprinkle of emotion.
"Wait, you look about my age, and I'm 22. How old are you Joseph?" I asked.
"You're flattering me kid. I'm 29, but thanks for letting me know I look good," he said, smiling.
"Oh wow, you do look good for your age to be honest," I said.
"Thanks. It helps me pick up the fresh 21-year guys and girls at bars," He said.
I was about to respond and ask him something when the bus arrived. The short ride was mostly quiet, and when we arrived at the dorms, it turned out that Joseph was just down the hall from me. I said goodbye and proceeded to my room. My roommate wasn't even there. I took my jeans off, sat in bed, and started to look for a new backpack on my laptop, since mine was starting to rip. I found one I liked, and proceeded to look for my wallet, and realized my card was missing. I immediately called the bowling alley and they told me that someone found my card after we left our lanes. I figured I could go get it since the bowling alley didn't close for another three and a half hours. I went to the bus stop, and when the bus was arriving, I pulled my wallet out, and lo and behold, I didn't have anymore singles with me. I decided to walk back to my dorm. Then, the bus doors opened, and the driver saw me turn around.
"Hey, you're not gonna get on?" he asked.
"I'm sorry. I don't have the money, so I can't pay," I said, mortified.
"Get on bro, it's fine," he said.
When I looked up, I realized that it was the driver from earlier. I told him I was sorry about it and thanked him.
"No worries, but I gotta ask, where are you going this late with no money?" he asked.
"I left my debit card at the bowling alley," I responded.
"Oh, I see. Well, it happens. Will you be able to make it back with no cash?" He asked.
"I'm downloading the Uber app, I'll just use my card when I get it and get a ride that way," I responded.
"Alright, sounds good." He responded.
About halfway through the ride, he stopped at one of the bus stops and the only lady who was on the bus, besides me, got off. He turned the bus off and started to pack his stuff.
"What's going on?" I asked, half concerned.
"My shift is over, and my replacement driver is supposed to be here with the company car so I can drive back to the station, but he's not here yet. Do you mind getting off the bus? I really want to stretch my legs, and I'll tell him you already paid when he gets here." He explained.
"Oh yeah, no worries," I said as I got off the bus. I sat on the bench as he paced around.
"So, what's your name bro?"
"Armando. Yours?" I asked.
"Michael. Nice to meet you," He responded.
"So, you go to school at CSULB, what are you studying?" He asked.
"I'm majoring in Health Care Administration. Are you a student by any chance?" I asked.
"I was at one point, but school just wasn't for me. I got a degree in Communications when I was 25, but I didn't really use it."
"Oh, wow...I wouldn't have guessed that," I said.
"Why? Is it because I'm a bus driver? There's a lot of surprises headed your way, kid. I'm also gay, and was checking you out just now, but I guess you didn't realize that either, did you?" he declared.
"Oh? You were? Umm, thank you, I guess," I responded, blushing.
It then occurred to me what Joseph had mentioned earlier, and I started to wonder if he was right. I was thinking about it when Michael asked me something.
"Wait, what? Sorry, I spaced out for a second." I said, embarrassingly.
"I said you're cute. Can I get your number? I would love to go get a drink with you." He said.
