Chapter 34
1462 Words
"Wait, is that what you're going to wear?" Tiaunna asked when I put a jacket on.
We're now going to the party.
"Yes. Why? Is there something wrong?"
"Well, you're not going to crash a party and run if things go out of hand. You will be attending the party because you're invited and you need to loosen up! "
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"We just want you to chill and have fun with the boys. And wearing that kind of outfit doesn't look good on you. Wait, let me get you something to wear other than that." Tiaunna was about to walk out of the room.
Oh!
"Wait! Where are you going?"
"I have something for you to wear. I'll be right back."
"Tiaunna, I think I'm fine with this. Besides, this is comfortable to wear."
"Nah-uh! I don't think so. Just give me a minute or two. Be right back." Tiaunna scuttle off to the door not giving me the chance to stop her.
Several minutes later, the four of us reached the party.
"Hey, Cassidy. Glad you came. Thought you're going to bail again." said Dan.
I didn't know he's here too. "Hi."
"Well, you looked gorgeous." Dan commented. He's my classmate.
"Uh, thank you. I didn't know this is a cocktail birthday party."
Tiaunna didn't tell me, yet I now understand why she forced me to wear this dress. And they're also in their alluring outfits.
"Hey, Dan. Mind if I snatch Cassidy for a moment?"
"Sure."
Gabbie pulled me towards another group. "I will introduce you to the birthday celebrant."
"Oh, okay."
"Hi, guys... meet Cassidy my roommate. The one I was telling you about."
About what? I wonder.
"Hi." Waving my hands at them as Gabbie was introducing me to each one of them.
"Lance will be here in a moment." Said Gabbie as she looked around.
"Lance? Is that the Lance I know?"
"Nope."
"Oh, Okay."
"Hey, guys..." said the guy who just came, together with Lance.
"Lance?!" I said, eyes go wide in shock.
Is it Lance birthday today? I thought.
Lance was also shocked to see me here.
"Cassidy. What are you doing here?"
"I was invited. Is it your birthday?"
"No."
Gabbie has been pulling my arm. "What?" I asked her.
"This is Lance. This is his birthday party. He's my boyfriend's friend. Lance, I want you to meet my friend and room mate, Cassidy."
"Oh- I'm sorry. I just thought it's Lance.. Well, not you but my friend Lance. Anyway, Happy birthday."
"Thank you. I hope you're enjoying the party so far." He said after giving me a quick kiss on my cheek. But I could firm a sense of awkwardness between the two Lance.
"Yeah, I am."
"Cool." He replied.
An hour later and I was feeling tipsy. I don't remember how many shots I had.
"Excuse me. Where's the bathroom?" I asked Lance, the celebrant.
"Oh, I'll go with you."
"Hep! Don't do anything stupid. Okay?" I told him. Maybe it was my drunk state made me to say that.
"Hahaha! Nope. Of course, I won't."
Now I remember he was the one I've met when Lance and I had lunch last weekend in Bella Roma Grill. But we never got the chance to talk to each other.
"You've mentioned you're now looking for some companies you can apply for your OJT. Do you already have preferred companies?" He asked.
"Yeah. I do. Actually Gabbie and I have the same company in mind. We prefer Love Struck, it's a radio broadcasting company."
"I see. Oh, here's the bathroom."
"Thanks." Leaving him outside the door while I do my thing inside.
After several minutes, Lance was still outside waiting. But he's not alone. he's with my friend Lance. So there are two Lance in front of me.
"Lance??" I asked.
He's glaring at the birthday celebrant, Lance.
"Hey."
Ten minutes earlier...
Andrae:
"What the f**k was that, dude?!" My friend, Lance was angry at me.
"Just go with the flow." I responded while checking the door.
"Why would I go with the flow when I don't know what's going on? How does your name become Lance?"
"Dude, Cassidy doesn't know my real name. She knows me as Lance. Just go with the flow and start calling me Lance right now."
"You're not serious. Are you?" Lance was shaking his head while staring at me in disbelief.
"I am dead serious! Just go with-"
The door knob clicked and we knew Cassidy's coming out.
"You owe me big time, Andrae. You better tell her the truth soon!" He whispered.
"I will. Thank you."
I introduced myself to Cassidy as Lance. The real Lance is my friend. I just borrowed Lance name but it was not intentional at first.
When I met Cassidy in the airport. I knew she was my brother's ex-girlfriend. She intrigued me since the day my grandfather was fond of her. That day was when pop was talking to her over the phone. Pop never laughed like that. But if the topic was about her, his mood quickly changed. My parents also liked Cassidy, a lot. During our dinner, they always included her in the topic. I saw how all their moods changed into good everytime they started talking about Cassidy and her funny and not too funny jokes.
When I had learned about the break up. I did a secret investigation about Cassidy, but I didn't get much. I only found out she's the eldest among the three siblings. Her father died in a car accident and her mom had an operation recently. The last information I got about her was her plan to study out of state. I didn't know the state she's planning to study that time, even when we've met in the airport. When I met her there, I only planned to get to know a little about her. But she avoided me and haven't seen her after that.
It thrilled me to see her in front of the admission hall. And my mind automatically thought of ways on how to get closer to her. I'm sure she knows my real name. My brother would never leave a single detail about it, even the nickname I've been using which is Hanz, short for handsome. Then Lance's name appeared in my mind and without giving a second thought, I introduced myself as Lance.
She's been asking me if we have met before. I know she found something resemblance with me and my brother even just a tiny portion. But I can't risk getting exposed without knowing her more yet. I wanted to know her and why my family was so enamored of her.
"Lance??" She's surprised that I'm here.
"Hey." I smiled.
"What are you doing here? Wait, are you two fighting?"
"Oh, haha! Nope. We're not." Then I looked at Lance, "Are we?"
"Nope. Anyway, I have to go. I need to check the guests. You two enjoy the party." He said while giving me a glare,but he smiled at Cassidy.
"So what was that all about?" She asked me as we walked back to the crowd.
"Nothing. We just talked about boys' stuff and I'm pretty sure you won't like it. You know-"
"Oh okay. I got it."
Whew! That's so close.
She turns to my side and ask, "Isn't it fascinating to have a friend having the same name? Wow!"
"Haha! Yeah. Fascinating it is."
"How do you call each other? It's kind of weird for me to mention my name while referring to another person. Hahaha!"
"Not really for me. I just call him the way we always call each other."
"Like what?"
"Like, dude? Bro? Yo? Man? There's more.. You really don't have to say the name unless it's necessary."
"You have a point." She shrugs.
"I always have." Giving her a grin before dragging her in the middle. I requested to change the music.
"Wait! What are you doing?" Cassidy has no idea still.
"Well, my lady. We're going to give them a performance they all can't forget." I hold her right hand and place my other hand on the back of her left shoulder. Then the music starts.
"Oh my god, Lance! I don't know how to dance!"
"Hahaha! So do I."
"Are you crazy??! Look! Everyone is now staring at us. Oh, god! Let's get out of here!"
"Just follow my lead."
"Oh, no. This is a bad idea."
"Haha! Just enjoy the moment." I pull her closer. She smells so nice.
"Oh my! I think I stoop on your foot. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. You're not that heavy."
"This is so embarrassing." Her face was so red.
She's so beautiful. I was mesmerized.
- Writer
