I didn't want to be a buzzkill on graduation night, so I went to Kathy's party. She could tell something was wrong because I wasn't enjoying myself. She hands me a cold beer guiding me outside to the pool.
"What's wrong? You've been moody all night."
"What are you talking about? I'm happy, see." I said putting on a fake smile.
"Justin left, didn't he? Sweetie you have to get used to that if you're marrying him, he's a celebrity. Cheer up; it's not the end of the world. Drink a beer and enjoy yourself instead of pretending that you're having fun. Guess who's here? Derek. You know the one you met at the mall, I invited him. I know it's a graduation party but hey, who cares. He's so fucking hot. God look at him, just perfection with his tats, and muscular body, I would do so many dirty things to that boy."
"Jesus if you like him that much ask him out."
"Are you kidding me? Don't you think I've tried, he thinks I'm too crazy. Am I crazy?"
"Do you want me to answer? Is that a rhetorical question?"
"Screw you, just because your boy toy is gone doesn't mean you have to be rude."
"Since you're afraid to express your feelings to him, I'll go talk to him for you," I said walking off. "Hey, Derek."
"Hey, Adrian? Kathy's friend?"
"The one and only. So um, it's nice seeing you here. At a party full of high school graduates, feeling uncomfortable yet?"
"No. Of course not, thought I would never bump into you again. I know the first time was surprising and awkward."
"Awkward? How is that?" I asked.
"I was hitting on you."
"Were you? I didn't even notice."
"Oh c'mon. You knew. So, where is your fiancé? Too good to come to a graduation party?"
"He's on tour for five months."
"A celebrity huh? That's cool. He's a really lucky guy."
"I'm the one considered lucky since he's famous and all. What are you doing here? I know Kathy invited you but aren't you suppose to be in Afghanistan?"
"I see you've been doing your homework, but yeah. I leave in a couple of weeks, and then I'm being transferred to Cali. I don't know where they'll put me next, I'm always moving around. But yeah I'm a medic in the Army. What about you hot shot, what's your next move?"
"College, in New York. Planning on becoming a surgeon. I was going to major in finance or counseling or whatever, but I thought it was ridiculous. For the record, Kathy told me about you being in the Army and you mentioned leaving to go to Afghanistan when we met."
"Right. Okay, well speaking of medical practices, I could teach you a couple of things if you like. That's if we see each other again."
"Wait? You want to see me again?"
"No. I mean yes, but as friends. I respect your relationship with whatever his name is."
"His name is Justin. Justin Bieber."
"Oh Justin, you know we're friends, right? Hard to believe but, we text each other here and there. I didn't know he was your fiancé, we barely talked."
"Well, he is. I forgot I came over to talk to you about Kathy. You know she likes you right? I get it she's a bit crazy and intense, but you know how we girls are. She wanted me to ask you how you felt about her."
"Look, I love Kathy but as a friend. I've known her since we were little. She's beautiful and yes also crazy but I just never looked at her more than just friends. She's scared to talk to me?"
"I don't know, want to talk to her yourself? I can go get her for you."
"No that's okay. I rather talk to you." He said I scoffed rolling my eyes. "I'm joking, I'm sure Kathy just wants to have sex, I've had a lot of that in Afghanistan, and it's getting kinda old. I figured I would settle down and get a girlfriend. Congrats on graduating by the way."
"Thank you. It's good to settle down; everyone needs someone special in their life. You're a little too dressed up for a pool party aren't you?"
"Don't be a hater; I do what I want. I think you should be a little nicer to me."
"Mm, alright Mr. Derek, I guess you wouldn't mind getting a little wet then."
"What? What do you mean?" He asks, I pushed him into the pool, laughing hysterically.
"I guess I'm crazy too huh?"
"You're insane you know that? Can you help me out?"
"Why? So you can pull me in, I don't think so."
"I won't; these are very expensive shoes. Please, can you give me a hand?"
"Fine, only because I feel sorry for you," I said holding out my hand. He grabs my hand pulling himself out the pool. "I'm sorry." I giggled.
"Adrian, what the hell?" Kathy says. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Your friend is crazy." He says pulling his shirt off, wringing the water out. I noticed Kathy was staring at him, I rolled my eyes, taking a sip of my beer.
"Yeah, she gets it from the best. You need a towel or something? Do you need help taking your pants off?"
"No. I'm going to walk home and get changed thanks to her."
"I said I was sorry, let me give you a ride. It's the least I could do since I pushed you. Plus I feel pretty guilty about it."
"Fine, whatever."
"Alright, let me grab my keys, and I'll meet you at the car," I said walking off. I went home and grabbed a shirt and towel, grabbing my keys meeting Derek at the car. "Here," I said tossing him a towel. "I don't want you to get my seat wet," I said hopping inside.
"Wow, you pushed me into a pool, and you're worried about me getting your seats wet. Alright, but you're not getting the towel back."
"That's fine with me," I said taking him home. I parked the car in front of his house, cutting the engine off. "Damn, nice place, you live alone?"