My Professor

18. Maria's

The following Thursday night I found myself over at Maria's. Her sorority was throwing another house party and I felt the rare urge to go out and see what was going on around town. Maybe it was because I was already breaking the rules with Theodore; why not continue to allow myself to have a little fun?

"What the hell!" I heard Maria yell over the music after I'd poured myself a drink in the kitchen.

"Hey," I said with a small smile.

"What brings you here?" she asked, pulling me into a one armed hug. She had a red solo cup, as well, and was careful not to spill the contents and she and I embraced. "I didn't even have to beg you to come out!"

"I'm feeling...daring today," I said.

"Look at you, coming out of your shell! I'm happy for you!"

"Thanks."

"I'm hoping Clyde shows up tonight," Maria said. "He hasn't shown up to the past couple."

"That's weird," I said. "He still hasn't told you what's going on?"

"No, he's still denying it," Maria frowned before taking a swig of her drink.

"Whatever. Hey, pour me another drink, will you? Then all this crap won't bother me so much."

"That's one way to deal with it," I said as opened the fridge to get the Diet Coke back out.

"Hey, there's someone here I think you should meet," Maria said, handing off her empty cup.

"I don't think so," I said, pouring her and generous mix of Diet Coke nd vodka.

"So things didn't work out with Colton. Who cares? There are other people out there." She took her cup from me and took a long pull from it. I followed suit. I figured I'd need it to navigate the rest of this conversation.

"I can't," I replied, staying vague.

"Why?" she demanded. "Don't tell me a miracle occurred and you found someone for yourself."

"I did," I replied.

"Who!?"

"Nobody. I don't know. It's new. I don't really want to talk about it," I fumbled while I tried to throw her off.

"Do I know him?"

"No." I didn't think she did, but I could've been wrong.

"Are you official?"

"Yes."

"Indy!"

"Look, we're trying to keep things between us, you know. I haven't dated in a while and I don't want to mess things up."

"I don't think having a smile conversation with me would kill you."

"Later," I said, waving her off. "Hey, look. It's Clyde." To my relief, Maria's boyfriend walked through the living room, right in view.

"Oo, I need to go catch him. Will you tell me more about your man later? Really?"

"Yeah, eventually."

"You better," she smiled.

"Go talk to Clyde," I said, shooing her.

"Okay, okay. I'll talk to you later. Don't go wandering off without me."

"Will do."

I enjoyed my drink, and then another before I dared to approach the living room where a large group of people are dancing to the music that was booming over the speakers. I bobbed my head to the music, first, before getting my body into it. It wasn't until I was halfway through my third drink that I'd had the nerve to make my way through the crowd, closer to the center of the dark living room. For once, I let myself go and danced to the music, not letting myself become concerned with who could be watching and what they thought. There were so many people in the room I doubted anyone would be able to pick me from the crowd anyway.

"Whoever is mixing your drinks deserves an award."

I was back in the kitchen contemplating the pros and cons of having another drink when Clyde spoke up. He was leaning against the counter in the corner of the room looking as cool and collected as usual.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked. Even I could hear the slight slur in my voice. Whatever. I was just trying to let loose.

"I don't think I've ever seen you dance at one of these things," he smirked.

"I can have fun sometimes," I said.

"You're not half bad. It's good to see you finally got that stick out of your ass."

"Shut up, Clyde," I said before pouring myself another drink.

"Be careful there," he said. "You don't drink much, do you? Are you sure you can hold your liquor?"

"Shut up," I repeated. "Where's Maria?"

"Hell if I know. Upstairs maybe."

"Helpful." I left the kitchen before he could bother me any further.

I made my way toward the stairs at the front of the house before I got stopped by a stranger with a tray covered in small cups filled with vibrant contents.

"Jello shot?" they asked.

"Maybe next time," I said before rounding the corner and making my way upstairs. I searched the upstairs for Maria, finally finding her in the bathroom with the door cracked open. She was fixing her lipstick in the mirror.

"Hey," I said, leaning against the doorway.

"Hey," she replied without removing her focus from the mirror.

"How's Clyde?"

"He's an asshole, as usual."

"Yeah. I ran into him downstairs."

"At least he seems like himself today," Maria said, popping a lid on her lipstick and tossing it into a drawer under the sink.

"That's good," I replied. "Hopefully things with him will blow over."

"I think they will," she said with confidence. "I've had too much to drink tonight to care at the moment."

"That was the goal."

"Yeah, mission accomplished," she smiled. "How about you? I'm surprised you haven't left already."

"I'm...having fun, actually," I said.

"That's a refreshing change," Maria said. "This new man of yours must be good for you."

I felt my cheeks warm - more than they already were. "Being with him has taught me to let my hair down every once in a while. What's the worst that could happen, right?"

"Exactly," Maria beamed. "I like this guy already. I wish you'd tell me more about him."

"One day," I assured her. "Don't nag me or I'll change my mind."

"Fine, I'll leave you alone. For now."

"I'll take it," I said. "Hey, they have Jello shots downstairs if you want one."

"Oh, hell yeah," she said, pushing her way out of the bathroom. "Let's go."