The Intern: Tyler, The Creator

17. The Anniversary

Saturday

I got ready. A simple dress with a cardigan over it, and some doc martens that I've had since high school.

I washed my hands a total of three times—somehow my OCD continued to creep up whenever I got anxious. It's been getting worse this week; the stress.

I grabbed my phone before running out and locking the door behind me, my dad already halfway out the drive way.

"We half an hour late—," he complained.

...

I had butterflies in my stomach.

Something I hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe it was because I hadn't been to anything like this before, or maybe because I was showing up to my boss's anniversary uninvited. (Sort of).

My dad awed at the house as we approached it, rolling down the window as the security asked what his name was.

"Go ahead and leave the the car, we'll park it."

My dad nodded, looking over at me.

"This muthafucka fancy," he whispered at me jokingly.

I laughed.

We got out of the car, I checked the time, it was nearing sunset.

"Damn, I knew Tyler was successful but this is crazy."

"I know." I gawked as the gate opened.

We made our way past the gate. The party was going on in the back patio, which I remembered incredibly well since the lost dog incident.

We walked around the house to the backyard, the music loud while waiters walked around with trays passing out fancy appetizers and expensive wine.

"Man, started to think you wouldn't make it," My dad was greeted by his work colleagues, and I was immediately introduced to them.

I knew them fairly well, since I kind of grew up with them at my dad's job.

"I'm gonna go grab some wine," I excused myself.

Great.

Now I was all alone with no one to stick to. I grabbed a glass of wine from one of the server's, looking around for someone familiar.

Particularly Tyler.

I really didn't think there'd be this many people. I kind of counted heads as I took sips; about 30ish. The yard was huge and furnished, making it seem like there wasn't that many people.

Clink clink clink.

Everyone looked over the right end of one of the back tables where the clinking of a glass sounded.

Tyler got up on the chair.

"Hey y'all, I just wanna remind you niggas why you're here," everyone laughed. Tyler continued, "I wanna dedicate tonight to Bella, it's been a long time together and I can't believe she ain't tired of me yet." He looked over at her, a few feet away.

Everyone awwwed.

He started to talk about how they met, Bella beginning to tear up.

"So yeah, I love you Bells. And uh, thank y'all for coming through!" Everyone laughed.
"And I got Rogers' ass wearing a fucking vest!" He chuckled before continuing. He said some serious parting last words as he looked at the crowd.

Then, his eyes locked with mine.

My heart beat faster as he seemed to trip over his words—Fuck, I knew he was definitely not expecting to see me at all.