I talked to Ray about my issues and got it cleared up. Sometimes the counselor was right. If I just talk about it, then everything just feels better. And isn\’t that the point?
At the last moment, I finally decided to head to the Iron Chef competition down on campus, but it wasn\’t what I wanted to see. It made me anxious as I walked around tables that I didn\’t know the people at.
So I finally call Carol and she said that she wasn\’t leaving for Ian\’s housewarming until 10 or so. So I wait and she finally picks me up along with Gary. Then with another guy in the back. Unfortunately, I got stuck with my parents\’ phone call. My grandmother got on the line and started talking to me. And with everything that was going on, I felt that I was somewhat rude. What a shakey start.
At Ian\’s party, I felt a little out of place because it was mostly phds. Finally later though Bryan and Michelle arrived. The new guy Casey was cool. We talked some.
But in my sober state, I ended up talking with Matt. And it was a strange moment how we suddenly bonded. I remember him as a reader in cs160. I remember being angry with how my midterm was unfairly graded and confronted him to tell him so. But I was wimpy and couldn\’t prove my case. Then two years later, I meet him again. And it was one of those strange moments. It\’s as if no time had passed at all.
Everyone was into their alcohol moment. I wasn\’t. Shots abound. Beer plentiful. Matt and I were really the only ones (not in a couple, that is) that were still in a somewhat sober state. I was subdued. I stood with him watching people dance in the darkened room. Earlier in the day, I felt somewhat sick…and so I just couldn\’t find it within me to dance. He nudged me slightly and asked, \”Do you want a ride?\”
I looked over and almost relieved I said, \”Yes.\”
I knew that it was going to be a long night for everyone since they were caught in the moment. And I was having an urge to leave.