DNA Part 7
Morgan’s words consumed my thoughts. I sat at breakfast picking over my pancakes and falling deeper into a mood. I was in an emotional funk. I didn’t think the topic was worthy of bringing up to Adrian, so I was trying to let it go.
Who am I kidding? I wanted to grill him and Morgan at the same time! Why should I be careful?
However, whatever I decided to do had to wait. Adrian had gone to see his aunt in Nashville for a couple days. I hoped that by the time he returned my self-confidence would once again be solidified. I think my face was beginning to look a little gloomy because I started to feel another set of eyes watching my every move. Across the table with an annoying glare in his eyes sat Theo. He had apparently grown tired of my sad sack routine. I urged him to eat his omelet and let me be, but friends never listen especially the ones who know you best.
Theo: Isn’t it time you stop moping around?
Me: What are you talking about? I’m perfectly fine and dandy.
Theo: Yeah and I’m Kobe’s trainer.
Me: Well how would you like me to feel to improve your day…..
Theo: Can I ask of anything and you’ll agree to it?
Me: Sure, why not, but nothing involving cilantro.
I laughed out loud at my own jokes which probably weren’t all that funny. Hey, don’t judge me, I was a freshman who hated cilantro.
Theo: The Betas are throwing their annual Beer Gala and you’re coming!
At that moment, Rory’s ice blue eyes popped into my head. Last week, while doing laundry he had promised to put me on the party list along with threatening me with bodily harm if I didn’t attend. I didn’t want to give Theo the satisfaction of thinking he’d gotten his way, so I protested the suggestion.
Me: Dude, no anything but the Beer Gala.
Can you read the sarcasm put forth in that last sentence?
Theo: Too late, you said anything minus cilantro. You’re coming.
Me: Fine. But I don’t have to have fun.
Theo: It will definitely snap you out of this sad atmosphere that you’re projecting outward.
Instead of saying anything else, I just nodded to confirm the agreement. I knew that the party would take my mind off of things in some way. I left breakfast looking forward to the night’s festivities including my first ever beer.
9:15PM rolled around and I still hadn’t decided on what looked cool enough to wear to a beer party. I wanted to wear something old and ratty because I’d heard that things always get ruined at parties. My sister told me that under no circumstance should I wear shoes that meant anything to me. Thanks Sis, words I lived by all throughout college. I soon learned there was no reason to overthink my attire. Theo handed me the party flyer which blew me away with its lack of reservation and overall exceptional quality. For a college party that is.
It was printed on paper better than your run of the mill copier brand, but not as good as paper used to print a good resume on. There were also set of twins dressed in ball gowns sitting atop a row of kegs with words above and below the scene. The flyer read a little something like this…….
The Gamma Xi Chapter of Beta Alpha
Presents
The 11th Annual Beer Gala
Friday, October 6th
All your dreams and fantasies can come true with a pitcher or two!
Drink until your date goes from 4 to 9 on your hot scale!
Time: 9PM - 3AM-ish
Clothing and class are optional.
Beer sprinklers will keep the party from overheating every 30 minutes.
Bring a six pack get in for $5
Regular Price: $15
Don’t Drink and Drive!
Clothing and class were optional, meaning I threw on my default jeans and a v-neck for the night. I was sure I’d lose or rip my shirt by night’s end. Theo went for a more stealthy look in all black ensemble. I figured he was trying out a new disguise to ward off his last girlfriend for the week. We both grabbed a pair of Ray-Bans to complete the look and headed to the party.
It was a 3 block walk off campus to the Beta House. The fraternity had custom built a two story mini mansion with a giant pool in the back yard. The street and driveway were lined with cars as the front yard overflowed with people coming and going through the large double doors that funneled party goers through an ID checkpoint. Theo started to freak out because he knew neither of us had a fake ID. I didn’t have the heart to ruin his mental breakdown. It was also extremely funny to see his cool demeanor fade away in the presence of uncontrollable circumstances. I made my way to the side of the house as Theo followed with a puzzled look on his face. We went through a gate revealing a side door guarded by a couple pledges with one holding a clipboard of names. I informed the guy that my name was on the list. How Official. At the time, I was hoping that Rory actually made good on his promise, but not so much the threat part. The pledge searched the list for my name finding it under Rory’s Guests. I told him Theo was with me and he moved aside to let us in. Theo, still in shock, crossed the threshold into one of the most ornate parties I had the pleasure of attending all freshman year.
The entire house was covered in plastic excluding the dance floor that flowed into the pool area and back yard. You couldn’t walk 5 feet without seeing a keg, a cooler or bikini clad girls serving up shots of tequila and vodka. Each room featured a different type of beer to drink along with lasers providing the only source of light. A girl in a coconut bra handed Theo and me a shot and demanded we down it immediately. I was never one to disobey a pretty face, so I took the shot in one swift motion. Unfortunately, that was my first ever taste of alcohol, and it did not go down easy. I started to choke to counteract the burning sensation traveling down my throat. Theo slapped me on the back as he took another shot before our private waitress moved on. I urged him to go enjoy the party. He didn’t need much persuasion on the matter before he had disappeared into the crowd of people on the dance floor. I was doubled over catching my breathe when a scrawny guy wearing a second hand beer mug walked up and placed a sheet of paper into my hand. I unfolded the paper to find only the words “2nd Floor Room 8” scribbled in barely legible handwriting. I asked myself if it was a good idea to follow the directions of an unknown stalker. It felt like a scene from The Craft. I go upstairs and get pushed out a window….or did he fall? I forget which, but nothing good can come from a stranger’s invitation. I decided to go with it and headed for the staircase. Yes, my logic was sound back then.
The music began to soften as I climbed the second flight of steps. Lights were scattered across the ceiling illuminating the hallway like a scene in a slasher film. I doubted anyone would hear me scream over the music playing or would find my mangled corpse until the party ended tomorrow morning. I walked cautiously down the hallway awaiting my killer to jump out of the shadows. I read the numbers above each door until I made it to room 8. I saw light flickering from under the door, so I knocked and awaited my untimely demise at the hands of my own curiosity. From the other side of the door I heard a familiar voice tell me to come in. I turned the knob only to be blinded by a huge spotlight on the other side. I could see a figure holding the light straight into my eyes then it lowered and behind it stood Rory.
I punched him in the crest for making me suffer through all this secrecy. He went to lock the door and started to explain his actions.
Rory: I knew it was you. No one else knows I’m here besides my pledge.
Me: Well, you could have spared me the spotlight.
Rory: It was just a precaution in case some drunken wanderer found their way here.
I soon realized why he didn’t want just anyone barging in that night. Rory sat back down on a couch in the corner pulling out a massive bong from under a blanket. He was seen as the golden boy of his fraternity. He had the unwanted reputation of single handedly keeping his fraternity from suspension on a number of occasions. He won each dispute with nothing more than a good argument and rightfully so since he aspired to be a famous defense attorney. On this particular night I think he was taking a break from saving anyone. He was wearing only a pair of very short khakis, tan loafers, and the words “Free Beer” written across his bare chest. I watched the muscles in his back tense as he bent down to take another pull on the bong. He blew the smoke into my face telling me it was my turn. I didn’t want him to think I was uncool so I took my first pull as best I could. Like minutes earlier, I began to choke slightly after sucking in too much smoke. Rory started to laugh seeing right through my inexperience.
Rory: First time?
Me: Of course not, I’ve done this plenty of times.
Through the coughs and gags, I compelled myself to take another pull then passed it back to him. Instead of taking a hit, he pulls out an old bottle of whiskey. He pours two glasses and hands one to me.
Bottoms up!
I chug back my second official alcoholic beverage. I wish someone had told me back then that whiskey is not the same as a shot. I felt the burn as it invaded my insides and stole my innocence with every drop. Rory began to pour round 2 and soon the bottle was half empty. I was quite drunk by glass number 6. Drunk enough to stay seated, but not drunk enough to puke or forget my surroundings. We started to talk about something random then the topic shifted to girls.
Rory: My girlfriend is such a bitch sometimes…
Me: Women are so difficult, it’s like love me or nothing.
Rory: Right, always with the love me thing…
……
…...
Rory: Of course we love them, why do we have to say it…we let them talk all day!
Me: Like….love is so hard for guys…..it’s like guy virginity
Rory: What? guy virginity?
Me: Yeah, dude listen, once you say it you can never take it back….it is gone! Virgin no more!
Rory: Wow, that is deep!
......
Rory: Wow that is deeper than deep, that is at the earth’s core.
I reached for the bottle of whiskey on the other side of Rory stretching my body across his lap. I was too drunk to complete the task, so my head lay staring up at him. He opened his eyes revealing those two beautiful blue moons. I was transfixed on those eyes. I couldn’t control my body as I went in for a kiss. It lasted about 15 seconds before he pulled his soft supple lips away from mine. I could not read the expression on his face. I was unsure if he liked what happened or if I was about to be thrown out of my first frat party. Just as my mind was playing out the worst scenario, I felt his lips latched onto mine again.
He was giving me full on tongue and I was giving him full on relief.
Rory pulled my shirt over my head and kissed down my neck. I ran my fingers through his sandy blonde hair. I reached my hand under the waistband of his underwear caressing his inner thigh. His arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me in close. He ran his fingers down the small of my back as we kissed. Soon we were both down to just our underwear with Rory on top as we grind-ed our bodies against each other.
In our drunken state, we failed to notice a key jiggling into the door’s lock. The door sprung open just as Rory's mouth had made its way to the middle of my stomach.
To be continued….
*Each post in this series will be accompanied by a song that sums up this part of the story. So go listen to it!
