"That's the last box? Thankfuckingjesusohmygod."
"Jake, seriously?"
"Oh yea, the Jesus.., yea.. Sorry Reg, I just.. I.. I can't fuckin breathe."
"Well, we still have to unpack."
"Are you trying to kill me? Unless Zefron is involved, I don't need to be this active." Jake said, bending over putting his hamds on his knees, clearly searching for breath.
"Cause you're out of shape, proof that you need a healthy mind and body. Just a couple of things I learned while studying Philoso-" Peter began, being cut off by Jake.
"Someone shut this ignorant, entitled dick up, before I strangle him." Peter and Jake had a very different way of showing they appreciated the other.
We're pretty tense. We have been unpacking all day, emptying our 2 UHaul's, with the help of most of our crew, into our new home.
Jake and I have lived with eachother since sophomore year of college, a couple months into our sophomore year, we were blessed with another high school buddy Peter, and a year later, Courtney.
Us 4 have been pretty inseperable, mostly because we live together, but also because we all do original productions together. I guess some (who come to see us live) would say we're very similar to Starkid, and I would agree, seeing as we're both groups, all comprised of old friends who goof off and like to perform for others.
But, being in Indiana, we haven't had much time to grow as an up and coming theatre troupe. So most of us, (our foursome, and a couple of our other friends) moved to Chicago to get a taste of the real city, without paying the real cost.
I don't know about the others, but I am beyond excited. A new life, great friends, and we sent in our latest rough draft of a new play to 6 theatres, and 1 have gotten back to us. Better than none, right?
Most of us have recently graduated some type of university, Jake, Courtney and I all hail from IUPUI (Go Jags!) Peter transfered from IUPUI and later graduated Ball State, and our other two friends, Mike and Ashley graduated from Butler.
After a few hours, I finally finished the last few touches in my room.
"You guys ready to celebrate?" I asked a little too entusiastically.
"Reg, how bout we sleep? It's like, 7p.m" Jake has never been the adventurous type.
"Jake, there's a bar."
But he has always been the drinking type.
"Yea, let's get ready to go out!"
When we enter one of the local bars, we already know what the rest pf our group is thinking, "Let's make this our usj (yoosh) spot!"
It is a pretty packed bar, with a decent sized stage in the back. We (barely) find a table, and all take a seat, as soon as some band, Jim and The Povolos come on. I know the same sounds familiar, it just doesn't click with me.
"Anyone want beer?"
"Me!" They all say, Mike and Ash included.
I make my way to the bar, but then realization comes over me as to why The Povolos sound familiar, and I stop dead in my tracks. And as soon as I did, I knocked someone right on their ass.
"Uhh... oh. ohmygosh. Are... Are you o-"
"I'm fine.. ish. You're strong for a 5 footer. Umm.. mind helpi-"
"Oh yea! Sure! No biggie!"
I go down to help him up, and that's when I know I made 19 year old me jealous.
It was Joey Richter.
"Hello?" He laughed, either because he thought I was a freak, or he knew.
"Uh, yea, sorry." I chuckled, helping him up.
"So, do you usually stop abruptly in the middle of a bar, or is that a way to pick up guys?" He asked, brushing himself off. He was a lot taller than I imagined. He towered over me, but so did most guys, seeing as how I was 5'2".
"No, it isn't a normal thing, it's just," I continued to stammer, "I, uh, I gotta go. Sorry again." And like a complete idiot I left.
When I got back to the table, I began to tell everyone the connections I made, but no surprise, they knew as soon as they heard the band name. This time, Ashley went to get the drinks, without bumping into any attractive guy, and we managed to have a good time. Finally the Povolos were finished with their set, after what felt like hours, and another band went on, I was about to get the next round when I felt a tap on the shoulder. I tuned around and saw noneother than a seemingly shy Joey Richter.
"Uh, hey."
"Ha, yea, hi. So, I never got your name, and I was wondering if I could get you a drink?"
"I never gave my na-" Peter kicked my leg, hard, "oww, uh, I'm Reagan, and I have to get these guys their drinks, so I don't thi-," interrupted again, by another kick, this time from Jake.
"Well, of it's alright with all of you," Joey began, directing his attention to my friends, "I would like to buy your friend, Reagan here, a drink."
"YES. Take her! She wasn't much fun here anyways." And with that, Courtney got up, and pushed me and Joey towards the bar, and with a quick wink, added "Tell me how it goes in the morning."
When we got to the bar, Joey ordered two beers for the both of us and began asking me about life, and other assorted things.
"So, are you from here?"
"No, just moved in actually. Me and my friends back there all moved in this week, we finished unpacking earlier today."
"Oh, well congrats," he tipped his beer, "what brings you here to Chi-Town?"
"Oh, you know, culture, museums, night life, theatre, city life. It sure beats Indiana." I explained, taking a sip.
"Indiana? That's not far at all. I've actually been there before a couple years ago."
"Oh really?" I knew this. "Did you enjoy it?"
"To be honest, it was OK. Not bad, but I can see why you moved to Chicago." He laughed.
I laughed, "Yea, it wasn't what we needed as a group."
"A group?"
"Oh, uh, we kinda attempt to write original productions and put them on at local theatres. Mostly the Pheonix theatre in Mass Ave? You probably haven't heard of it, but they have been very kind to us, and have let us use their facilities and keep most of the profits. We've done about 3 succesful shows, and then about a millions very unsuccesful ones."
"I completely understand, in college me and my buddies did a few shows as a group, which is actually why I'm even in Chicago now."
"Oh, so you don't live here?" I knew this, but I decided to play dumb.
"No, I live in Calif-" he was cut off by the one and only, B-Hole, which is what I thought of him at the time, because me and Joey were actually hitting it off.
"Yoo, Richter, we're heading out now. I was lookin all over for ya, then Dyl pointed you out by the pretty brunette," he turned to me, "hi, I'm Joey's friend, and we're all leaving now, I'm sure he thinks you'r very pretty and would like to see you again, and he might, but we have to go." And with that, he started to leave, dragging Joey up with him.
Not ten seconds later, did Joey rush back, ask the bartender for a pen, and gave him his number, adding, "So, call me if you also want to see me again." As soon as he gave me the napkin he darted out to catch up with his friends.
I just got Joey Richter's number.. OMG.
I then headed back to my friends, and we began to celebrate everything, the end of awkward Reagan, and the beginning of an awesome new life in Chicago.
