Ten Months Ago
The atmosphere in the hall was electrifying. The bass of the music vibrated in my chest, and the energy in the air was almost palpable. The University of Valentian Internationale’s acquaintance party was in full swing, and it was the highlight of the semester. The venue was a large, modern hall, filled with hundreds of students dancing and enjoying the night. I could see flashes of lights from the disco ball overhead, reflecting off the glass windows and the shimmering dresses of the girls in the crowd.
I glanced over at my bandmates as I adjusted the mic. "One last song?" I asked Shin, my trusted bassist, who was diligently tuning his instrument. His fingers moved nimbly over the strings, his eyes focused as he set up his gear.
"Yeah, man! Let’s hit it so we can join the party too!" he replied, flashing me a wide grin. His energy was always infectious, a perfect match for our band's vibe.
I turned to face the rest of the guys. Timmy was giving me a thumbs-up from his spot on the rhythm guitar, his ever-present scruffy smile on his face. Lenard, our keyboardist, nodded in agreement, adjusting the tone of his keys. Anthony, our drummer, gave me a quick wink, his drumsticks twirling in his hands. He was ready to bring the thunder.
“Alright, last song, guys!” I called out to the crowd, my voice loud and confident, carrying over the bass-heavy music. I scanned the faces in the crowd, their flushed cheeks and sweaty foreheads betraying the fact that they’d been dancing nonstop to our tunes for the last hour. The song choices had been on point, keeping the energy up and the students moving, but I could tell they were starting to feel the exhaustion. Even so, their smiles were wide, their eyes glowing with excitement.
And then there were the girls, of course. No matter how tired they were, they were all eyes on me. It was something I had gotten used to. The five of us made up one of the most popular bands on campus, and I, as the frontman, was the one they were all here for. I had to admit, it felt good. Maybe it was the perk of being the lead vocalist. But hey, it wasn’t all looks. I could hold my own when it came to hitting those high notes, and the crowd was always blown away by my stage presence.
As soon as I flashed a smile, the crowd roared in response. The female students screamed, their voices rising above the music as they cheered for us. It was almost deafening, but I loved every second of it. There was no denying it. I was the most famous member of the band, and I was here to give them the show of a lifetime.
Tonight was the University of Valentian Internationale’s acquaintance party, and we were the last band to perform. It was a coveted spot, the one that kept the students on their feet until midnight. After we wrapped up, we’d join the party, hit the dance floor ourselves, and enjoy some light drinks, as per the school’s policy. UVI was strict with academics, but when it came to parties, they knew how to loosen the reins a little.
I wasn’t just any musician. I was a scholar as well. I had earned my spot here through sheer hard work and talent. I was in the Top 20 of my class, balancing both my academics and my passion for music. Sure, UVI had a hefty tuition fee, but it didn’t matter much to me. My family had the means to pay, and honestly, being a scholarship student made me feel even prouder. I wasn’t just attending because of my wealth; I was here because of my skills and intellect.
My dad, a proud Russian businessman, was beyond thrilled with my achievements. And my mom, she was a Filipina international singer, and I took after her in many ways. That bond between us was unbreakable. Sure, I was a bit of a mama’s boy, but there was no shame in that. She understood me better than anyone else.
I had two older sisters, Kyarra and Kisha, both of whom had already graduated and were running our family businesses with my dad. As the only son, I was set to inherit most of the family’s wealth, but for now, I made it clear to everyone that I was more interested in the businesses related to my music. One day, I’d take the reins, but tonight was about having fun.
I grabbed the mic and shouted to the crowd, "Uvians, this last piece is for the party animals like us! Dance like there's no tomorrow, guys!"
The response was immediate and explosive. The dance floor erupted in cheers as we launched into Maroon 5’s “Animals.” The tempo was fast, and I could feel the energy shift in the room as soon as the first beat dropped. The crowd moved like a wave, and the heat in the room intensified as bodies collided in sync with the rhythm.
Loose bodies swayed and thrusted to the beat. Couples pulled each other close, their hips grinding in time with the music, while others jumped and spun, caught up in the frenzy. The students screamed my name in between their moves, and the sound fueled my performance. I sang with everything I had, pushing my voice to the limit, knowing the crowd was right there with me.
I danced too, not just behind the mic but with the band, making sure the energy stayed high and the vibe stayed electric. Some of the girls in the front row sent me flirty smiles, their bodies moving in ways that made it impossible not to respond with a wink or a sly grin. The adrenaline surged through me, and I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to take one of them home to my dorm tonight.
As the song hit its c****x, the crowd went wild, jumping up and down, screaming for more. The energy in the room was palpable, and for a moment, I felt like I was the king of the world. When we finally wrapped up the song, the crowd didn’t want to let go. They shouted, “More!” but we were all out of breath. It had been an intense set, and we were done for the night.
The organizers took over from there, blasting more party music through the speakers to keep the students in high spirits. My bandmates and I exchanged satisfied looks as we started making our way backstage. It had been a great show, and I couldn’t wait to join the party and unwind.
But just as I was about to turn around and head toward the backstage area, I heard someone shout my name.
"Christian Wayne Ralbovski!"
I froze, turning around just in time to feel a pair of lips slam into mine. The kiss was sudden, unexpected, and left me momentarily stunned. I should have pushed the person away, but for some strange reason, I didn’t. There was something about it that made me hesitate… an overwhelming feeling that made it hard to focus on anything other than the kiss itself.
The noise of the party faded into the background as the kiss deepened. The person was an enigma. Her lips were impossibly soft, and they tasted sweet, though there was a slight hint of alcohol in her mouth. I felt her tongue slip into mine, and despite my initial shock, I couldn’t help but respond, my hands moving to her arms instinctively.
I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I was lost in the moment, lost in the heat and the intensity of the kiss. My hands slid up her arms to her back as I pulled her closer, my body reacting to the closeness.
But then, something felt off. I felt a strange sensation. Something was missing.
The woman had no chest.
I pulled back abruptly, blinking in surprise. There she was, still in my arms, her face flushed, eyes half-lidded with a dreamy, intoxicated smile. It was as if I had kissed a drunken angel, her lips still wet from our kiss.
I glanced down, and my heart stopped for a moment. There was no way to ignore it now. The woman in my arms… she wasn’t a woman at all.
Fucking A.
I kissed a gay.
I didn’t know how to process it. My mind raced, and panic surged through me. Was I really that lost in the moment? My hands were still gripping his arms, and the reality of the situation began to sink in. What the hell just happened?