The Rave

It was the weekend and I had just gotten back from a seminar when my phone rang.

"Hey Mo," I said, picking up the call.

"Levi told me you went ghost on him after that weird tarot fair thing. And you haven't come to the campus all week, are you okay?" Harmony wasn't one for beating about the bush.

"I'm okay, honey, I was just a bit shaken and just wanted to stay in. Besides, I've been going to class, I'm just coming back from now, by the way," I said, as I flung my bag on the couch, the strap dangling to the floor.

"Come on, and you couldn't stop by?" she felt offended.

"I'm so sorry," I said, remorseful, "how do I make it up to you?" I asked.

"Now you're talking," her mood lightened, "there's a party at Brian's tonight. Let's go."

"Brian doesn't throw parties, he throws raves," I corrected.

"Potæto, Pota:to," I saw her roll her eyes, "we're going anyways."

"Time?"

10pm.

"Duh, 10pm," she replied, "Don't be late, Noa, got it?"

"Between the two of us, I should be saying that," I shot at her, "you spend more time on your makeup than the actual hours you spend at the rave."

"Hey! It's not my fault I have a light brain," she defended.

"Whatever, don't be late."

I hadn't planned on going anywhere that night. Not really. I thought about staying in my comfort zone, cooking, watching TV and maybe even writing a book, but I knew Harmony would've preferred going out, so I took the option. Besides, it probably was a good idea to be drunk and get my mind off the odd woman at the fair and how she traumatized me with the words she had spewn.

As expected, Brian's was a full-blown rave, pulsing with neon lights and bass-heavy music. I could feel the floor vibrate beneath my feet as I and Mo walked through the door, and she immediately grabbed a shot of tequila from a waiter who passed and downed it.

"That's what I'm talking about," she yelled above the noise, "Let's dance."

At first I thought she was talking to me, but then she waltzed into the crowd and all I could see was her hair being flipped around with the rhythm of the music.

I looked around and decided to go to a quieter place in the house.

I made my way through the crowd, admiring, for the millionth time, the decor in the house.

A large, low-sitting wooden table stood in the formal sitting room, surrounded by modern chairs with a hint of Korean craftsmanship in their curved backs. On one wall, a delicate folding screen with painted mountains and cranes, giving the house a touch of traditionalism, while a sleek marble American-styled fireplace grounded the space.

Then I met him.

He was tall and dark, wearing a white graphic Tee and army-green cargo pants. He danced softly, not with anyone in particular, but he was having fun with his beer cup in hand. He seemed a little reserved though, sipping his drink instead of chugging it, and I noticed it was dry white wine that was in his cup.

He smiled at me, then bent to my height, and asked, "You don't look comfortable yet, I guess you haven't had a drink. Wanna dance?"

I smiled back then nodded.

We danced together for a couple of minutes, and another waiter passed by us with a tray containing a mixture of tequila shot glasses and beer bottles.

"Beer?" he asked mockingly, but in a funny way.

"White wine?" I smirked.

He looked at me wide-eyed, then threw his head backwards, laughing.

"Y'all won't tell me what to drink," he said.

"Let me guess, you're driving home?" I asked.

"No, Uber. But I don't want to fall off the edge," he held my hand and twirled me around in rhythm to the music.

"I smiled at him, then let my thoughts wander into his.

Oh…wow. I thought.

I kept eye contact with him, while we danced for quite a while, when I blurted, "Why do you do that?"

"huh?!"

I tiptoed closer, putting my mouth to his ear, "Why do you do that?!"

"Do what?!"

"Pretend!" I scream back, and he looks over to me, a frown on his forehead.

"What do you mean?"

I went down on my heels, then got back on my toes again,"you're trying really hard to seem like just another guy!"

"What does that even mean?! I am a guy!"

"You're here to escape something, aren't you?! You're not here for the reason most guys are!"

"And what reason is that?!"

I shrugged,"The kind that involves chasing girls," I yell, then come back down again, then look up at him and give a knowing smile.

There was a pause. Then, he shook his head and chuckled, "First my drink, now my sexuality?!"

"I can keep a secret!"

"Aren't you a gem?!" he said, then twirled me again, and we kept on dancing.