Keeping it Professional

Party Time

Friday morning awoke me with anticipation. This was the day of John's party. I hated that I was excited and nervous. Why couldn't I be one of those people who just didn't care? I scolded my mind, telling myself to focus on getting ready and the work day ahead. I went downstairs after my shower to see Lucy looking miserable on the couch. I furrowed my brow, walking up to her feeling her forehead. She didn't seem feverish. "Everything okay?". I had only seen Sarah down and out once from a stomach bug- it was violent and aggressive. This seemed different. She looked up, "I've been puking for an hour". I got her some ginger ale and crackers before I hit the road. I panicked on my way in the work. Now I would have to attend John's part alone. I went to see Miranda at work. She was my roommate before I left. She was always out and and about and I had an open invitation. She would pick me up from John's house when I was ready- she would be about 10 minutes away. PERFECT. 

I got through my work day, coming home to check on Lucy. Fingers crossed she was miraculously better. She seemed slightly improved, but I knew there was no chance she would go. I made some left overs for myself before getting ready. I pulled out some black heels, skinny jeans and a V neck tank with a slim fitting cardigan. Lucy was whistling and hooting at my outfit. I rolled my eyes. She was in PJs already. I supposed that was married life. "You get her more excited than I do" teased Tim. He was a good egg. I checked the clock. I decided to wait another hour before heading out- I was going for fashionably late. 

I got to John's around 9:30. I was surprised at how big his house was, and the party. I walked up the stairs towards the front door, ringing the door bell. My heart was pounding out of my chest. It was not like me to go to a party on my own, but I know I'd see some familiar faces. Just then, the door was opened by one of them. "Jess! How are you?" yelled Phil, coming out onto the front steps to hug me. Phil was always super friendly anytime I saw him. I was comforted knowing he was there. He walked me into the house and thankfully straight to get me a drink. I soon heard his big deep voice bellow out from the crowd, "Jess, you're here!". I looked up at John, who came over hugging me with his 6'3 frame. He towered over me at 5'3, even with my heels on. I could feel him look me up and down, and I could feel the temperature in my cheeks increase. "I see you found Phil", John puts his arm around me resting his hand on my shoulder. The shoulder could melt, right now. John led me around his house. I knew he was showing off and I couldn't help but feel impressed at his success since college. I was lucky to afford my student loans and rent. We turned a corner and someone walked into me, spilling my drink on my shirt, leg and shoe. I looked up stunned, and became even more stunned when I realize it was Sam. My heart sank. I hadn't spoken to him in a while. Almost a year I think. I thought he was living in New York? Was he that good of friends with John? How had I never known? "Why don't you watch where you're walking, sloppy?!" John joked. He c****d his head when he realized that neither of us were laughing. "Jess, have you met Sam? He went to college with us." I swiped the rest of the liquid off my body, put on a smile and looked Sam dead in his eyes. "Right? He should watch where he is walking." I chuckled, " Good to see you Sam. We do know each other. John was just giving me the tour of his house". I knew playing it cool would drive Sam nuts. He one upped me by reaching in for a warm hug, reaching his hands around my back resting his hands on my hips. I took a deep breath, I hated how he made me feel, and how I just wanted to rip his clothes off when I saw him. "Good to see you he whispered in my ear". Holding on to me for too long, I cleared my throat and stepped back. John as if on cue, placed his hand back on my shoulder. I looked up at him and smirked. "Shall we continue?" he suggested. I couldn't have been more happy to oblige. We finished the tour in the basement where Phil was playing darts. I played with Phil while John entertained some more of his guests. When our game ended I headed up stairs to the bathroom. I texted Miranda, asking her if she could come get me in about an hour. That seemed like a good amount of time here, but not too long. She agreed, and I left the bathroom to refill my cup. I opened the door to Sam, almost nose to nose. "Excuse me" I say, as I move to my right to enter the office. Sam follows, putting his hand on my waste. I looked around feeling regret that in my attempt to avoid him, I placed us in a room alone together. "Hey, how are you?" He said in a caring tone. I know he had probably heard minimal details about what had happened in my life over the last 6 months. It was his fault as far as I am concerned that he wasn't around to know more. "I am fine Sam" as I tried to walk away. He hugged me again, wrapping his arm around my back, pushing me into him. I inhale, gulping him in. I missed his smell. He had his hand on my hip finger tips navigating their way between my skin and pants. My heart was pounding out of my chest. This was a bad idea, and I knew it. I cleared my throat again, taking his hand off my hip and stepping back. "How's Rachel?" I said as I glanced around. Thankfully no one had seen our embrace, but I scanned for my escape plan. He sneered and I walked away before he could reply. In the corner of my eye, I caught Rachel observing our dynamic. I needed to get out of here. 

I went back to the bathroom to regroup myself. I needed to regulate my heart rate again. I text Miranda- "ready when you are!". Hopefully she was paying attention to her phone. I walked out of the bathroom almost directly in Rachel. What is with these people! I smiled, hoping so side step her. "You are friends with Sam aren't you?" she asked rhetorically. I was annoyed, she knew the answer to that. She continued to look at me suspiciously asking me random questions about Sam and I. It felt anything but friendly. Thankfully I heard that big deep voice again, "Jess! Get over here, I need a partner!". Perfect, I excused myself and joined the game. John and I won to my surprise and he celebrated with a big bear hug. I could feel Sam's glare on us. I am sure Rachel's was somewhere out there too. His hug was interrupted by my phone. Finally! Miranda was outside. I said goodbye and headed on my merry way. Boy was I relieved. 

I got in the car, "WOW, nice house huh?" She exclaimed. I chuckled, "Right? We should have been engineers, instead we are poorly paid outreach workers". We both laughed. She inquired about the party and I gave her the most vaguely honest answer I could. She knew nothing about Sam and it was too complicated and raw to divulge to her. I couldn't even explain our dynamic to myself let alone others. I would never even categorize us as having ever dated, but we knew each other's deepest darkest secrets. Our connection started the first time we made eye contact, it was electric. We made eyes at each other for an entire school year before he reached out to me on the evening of the last day of freshman year. We talked every day that summer, sometimes multiple times a day. There was no one who knew more about him, and the same went for me. In the summer I would visit him, and he would visit me. "You alright, Nova?" inquired Miranda. She knew I was distracted. "Oh yeah, just tired. It's been a while since I have been out this late. Let's turn up the music!"  We went to her friends house and enjoyed a night of cards, music and drinks.  

Miranda dropped me off at Lucy and Tim's house around 1 am. I know those two would be fast asleep. I tipped toed in and got ready for bed. I tossed and turn in bed. I could not stop thinking about Sam. If I had known he was going to be there I would have never gone. As if he reading my mind, he sent me a text, "where did you go? I want to talk.". I rolled my eyes. I bet he was drunk. He should go talk to his girlfriend. I huffed and put my phone down. Back to ignoring him.