The Thread Between Danny and Me

Chapter 1: Give me a chance?

PART ZERO

The bar wasn't just crowded—it was downright congested. A massive swarm of drunk Red Sox fans had just descended on my friend's favorite hangout and eked out the dimly lit, homey joint, turning it into a sea of smelly bodies.

Judging by the shouting, they'd come from a different bar in Providence and were celebrating another Red Sox victory.

"Hey, Maria!"

I tried to turn but was squished between two taller men yelling at the bartender.

"Maria!"

I elbowed the man next to me and used my hips to shove him to the side so I could turn around and escape.

My friend, Brandon Daniels, was the one calling for me, and he reached for my arm to pull me out of the swath of sweaty men.

"Yeah?" I shouted over the noise.

"We're going to leave—this place is too crowded! Are you up for coming back to my place for some more celebrating?"

"Yeah, that's fine!"

"Great!" he shouted over the noise. "I'm going to hold onto you until we get to the door, alright?"

I nodded, but Brandon was already moving people aside and directing me to the bar's entrance. Normally, such contact would've made me uncomfortable. At that moment, however, I only felt relief.

Bars weren't my usual go-to hangout spot. The drunken shouting, the crowds, and worst of all, the occasional man who'd order me a drink without asking in the hopes of taking me home.

Tonight was different. We were graduating with our master's degrees and my friends wanted to celebrate. I wanted to celebrate too, which is why I agreed to go out. This day had been a long time coming.

The air was cool outside, and I sighed, glad to be free.

"Well, that sucked," Brandon's roommate, Charlie said.

"Yeah," Brandon agreed. "But it's probably for the best. Maria didn't look very comfortable in there anyway. We can serve drinks at our place."

I shrugged.

Seven of us in total had gone out this evening and we formed an uneven clump as we walked on the sidewalk to Brandon and Charlie's apartment.

In addition to Brandon and Charlie, there was Aiden, who still had one more year at Rhode Island School of Design, his girlfriend Melissa who was studying at Brown, Paul, who was also in our class, and finally, Henry. Melissa was already toasted, and she leaned heavily on Aiden who wasn't drunk yet but would be if he had another.

Brandon and Charlie's apartment was only a few more blocks away. We passed my white Toyota Camry and I was relieved to see it had no additional scratch marks.

"So, Maria, it's nice that you've come out with us for a change," Melissa said. "You're always so busy and focused on your studies. Gotta loosen up a bit! Being a workaholic isn't good for your health."

"And drinking is?" I teased.

She rolled her eyes. "You know what they say. YOLO."

In front of us, Brandon and Charlie talked in low tones. Charlie glanced backward and then mumbled something to Brandon. I wondered if they were talking about me.

My heart squeezed.

After we entered Brandon's building and traversed up three flights of stairs (some making the climb better than others) we arrived at Brandon and Charlie's apartment. It was an older building with good bones and a terrible pea-green carpet that made me nauseous every time I looked at it. Before Brandon and Charlie moved into their place, I had tried to convince them to rip it up.