Something, Nothing

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 11 — SURPRISE

"Are you sure?"

Am I sure? Of fucking course, I'm not.

I regretted the words the second they left my mouth; but then again, I can't exactly take them back now, can I? And so, I nod.

"I'm sure. You should come with. It'll be fun,"

Ken waits for me to change, and then when he sees me, he smiles, "See, I told you you'd look–,"

"Shall we go?" I quickly interrupt me lest I literally combust into flames — I absolutely do not need to know how he thinks I look.

We make a small stop at his room and even though he insists, I don't go in. I really, really don't want to know any more about him. And then together, we go over to Abby's.

"Whose birthday is it by the way?"

"His name is Sri,"

"Wait, Sri as in Sriganes?" he grabs my wrist coming to a halt, turning to me, eyebrows raised. I try to not focus too much on the fact that he's holding my hand (!!!) and divert my attention to the fact that he's surprised to hear Sri's name.

It's only then I recall that Sun Ling was also shocked to see Sro talking to me at the party that day. And I still don't get why it is such a big deal.

"Yes?"

"Damn," he punches my arm lightly, "I had no idea you were in with the big guns," we start walking again.

"What?"

He laughs, eyeing me, "You have no idea, do you?"

"About what?"

"Sriganes is kind of a big deal around here,"

I squint my eyes at him — it didn't seem like that when he talked to me, he was just like any other guy.

"Really?"

He nods, "I didn't know that either. Sun Ling is the one who told me. He comes from a long line of celebrities,"

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Actually I've been meaning to look him up, but haven't had the time. Wait," he goes to take out his phone, but I stop him.

"We're actually here," I nod at the room two doors down in front of us.

"Oh, alright. Another time then,"

I nod. So, Sriganes is a quite popular guy. And yet, he's talking to me and I even got an invite to his birthday party. I don't know yet what to make of it.

I shake my head to myself — first things first. I have to somehow survive this party alive filled with strangers and Ken.

I take in a deep breath and knock on the door. Who knows what's going to happen for the rest of the night?

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"Aarvin! You made it!" fortunately, it's Abby who answers the door. I was dreading to introduce myself kest it was someone I didn't know who opened the door, "Come in, come in. Oh, and you brought a friend — hello, Aarvin's friend,"

"This is Ken," I introduce him, "Hope it's alright I brought him along,"

"Of course," they shake hands with Ken, "Hiya Ken, I'm Abby,"

"Hello. Nice to meet you,"

"So, make yourself at home. Drinks and snacks are at the corner there, and we'll be cutting the cake in just a moment," and just like that, she disappears leaving Ken and I alone.

Well, not alone, since there were other people there as well. People that I do not know. Suddenly, I don't regret bringing Ken along with me. At least there's someone that I know and who's sort of in the same boat as me.

"Is it just me or does Abby's room look bigger than ours?" Ken's voice falls right on my ears — he's leaned closer to me to whisper.

He is not wrong. Their room does look bigger than mine, at least — and is that a balcony?

I take a step back, forcing out a chuckle of sorts, " Heh, yeah. Um, do you want to get something?" I gesture towards the drinks/snacks table.

"Sure,"

I have not consumed alcohol much in my life, and the few times that I did, I found that I have very little to no tolerance. But still, I find myself reaching for the beer bottle — I believe the next few hours would pass by more easily if I am just a little bit intoxicated.

"I expected a much bigger crowd, to be honest, when you told me it was Sriganes' birthday party,"

With the new information that I've just learnt from Ken about Sri, I would've expected that too. And if they're actually intent on having a small party as I've been told, why would they invite perfect strangers (aka me and by extension, Ken).

We sit on a remaining free couch and while Ken is occupied with looking around us and taking in who's there and who's not there and I focus on finishing the drink in my hand. Well, I wasn't really planning on finishing it, it's just when I go to take another swig, I find the bottle empty. It's just one beer bottle, it's not going to affect me much. I tune back in to what Ken is saying — turns out he's quite a lot for Sun Ling. He recognises almost half of the people there.

I look around as well and wonder if I've overestimated the weight of my invitation. I haven't seen Abby since they welcomed us in and I don't think even the birthday boy is here.

I tap on Ken's shoulder about to suggest that maybe we should leave when Abby suddenly pops up out of nowhere and exclaims, "Everyone hide! Sri's on his way,"

"Doesn't Sri already know about this?" fortunately someone asks the very question on my mind.

"So?" Abby retorts, "It's the deed that matters. Now are you going to hide or not?"

No one dares to speak up against them and proceeds to hide. I turn to Ken and shrug, "We could just crouch," I suggest.

There's a table in front of us and I believe that will obscure us from plain view somewhat, and I sincerely doubt anyone's even going to notice us. And just as I think that Abby calls out for me, "Aarvin. Where's Aarvin?"

Or maybe there's another Aarvin here who's really good friends wi–

"He's here," Ken grabs my hand and raises it — traitor.

"Wh–," I don't even have the time to say anything to Ken as Abby has rushed to me and pulled me up.

"You're hiding with me," they claim, bringing me along with them.

"I am?" I ask, even though they've brought me with them and pulled me down so that I'm crouched down beside them behind the shelf by the door.

"Yeah," they turn towards me and whisper, "Sri will be most happy to see you,"

"He will?" I don't care that I must sound like a stupid parrot right then — I care more that I'm confused.

"Yeah. He likes you,"

"He does?"

Abby's phone buzzes and they peer over my shoulder shushing loudly and whisper-yelling, "Sri's here,"

Abby stands up, switches off the light and quickly crouches down. The door opens a few seconds later and as a person walks in everyone cheers accordingly, "Happy birthday, Sri,"

As expected, Abby is the first one he sees and since I'm beside them, he sees me next, "Aarvin," he grins at me, "You made it,"

I don't think about how Abby said that he will be most happy to see me. He has to be excited to see all of his friends, especially his own partner and his birthday as a whole.

"Hey. I did," and then with a small shrug, I repeat, "Happy birthday," because what else am I even supposed to say.

Thankfully, shot glasses get passed around and I claim not one but two for myself. I honestly don't care; I definitely cannot get through this night sober.

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