Throughout high school, all I did was study, get in trouble sometimes, go home, and study even more to earn a scholarship. On my graduation day, it was just my mom, my stepfather, and me having dinner at a restaurant. I didn't socialize enough to get invited to the graduation party, and I didn't have the confidence to introduce myself to anyone. Besides, what else would I do but lie in a corner avoiding people? So, once I started college, I dedicated myself to studying even harder. My grades weren't perfect the first semester, but I managed to excel the second semester and keep my scholarship.
— Attention! — the teacher calls out, entering the classroom. — Today, you will be paired up for the final research project. The topic will appear next to your names — she announces, pointing to a presentation. Reading it carefully, I see that I've been assigned the topic of biodegradable energy adapted to social environments, and to top it off, I have to share the project with the laziest student in the class.
Adrián Salamanca, known for his parties every Friday and his popularity with the girls. A guy I have the misfortune of sharing an apartment with. — Hey neighbor! — he calls me from across the room. I try to pretend I didn't hear him, but he gets up and sits next to me. — It's lucky we're working together on the project. Since we live together, it'll be easier for both of us.
— Sure — I mutter.
At the end of class, Adrián approaches me — Felipe, do you have another class? — he asks, to which I shake my head. — Let's go home together — he suggests.
— I came by bike — I reply.
— No problem, I'll put it on my car's roof rack — he says. Before I can refuse, Adrian steps forward and gestures for me to follow him. — When do you think we should start? — he asks but keeps his eyes on the road.
— We can make a study plan to move forward with the project once we decide what to do — I say.
— I think we should start today — he says — If we're going to base it on renewable energy, we could build an apartment complex that uses solar panels or has a water treatment plant that produces energy — he suggests, glancing at me quickly before returning his gaze to the road.
— That's a great idea — I comment — We could also design a shopping mall with diverse energy sources.
— Great, we've got the city already! — he says, smiling.
The apartment we share consists of a couple of bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a furnished common room in our landlady's basement. We can only enter through the back door of the house, which is located on the patio where Adrian parks his car. Once inside, we go through the kitchen, where the door to our bedrooms is located. We aren't allowed in the common areas where the woman lives with her family, so we only enter through the kitchen and go downstairs.
When I get to my room, I take off my socks to stretch my toes, take my things out of my bag, and lie down on the bed. I was surprised that Adrián contributed so many ideas for the project while we were in the car. I hope his enthusiasm continues throughout the project.
I hear a knock at my door and get up to open it. — I'm going to order something to eat. Do you want me to order anything for you? — Adrián asks.
— No, I'll eat later — I say. I don't have enough money for takeout, and I have to finish the rice that's been in the fridge for five days.
– Don't worry, it's on me — he says with a smile. — We can start on the project while we wait, if you want.
— Sure, I'll eat the same as you then — I say. I can't pass up the opportunity, even though I'm a little embarrassed because we've never talked this much until now, despite having lived together for at least a year. That rice will have to wait another night.
We sit on the living room furniture in the basement and make several sketches of the design for the buildings and the shopping center in the model we plan to build. The smaller-scale water treatment plant we're going to build is supposed to be as functional as it would be if it were built by a construction company. That's the hardest part.
When the food arrives, Adrián brings a blanket to avoid staining the rug, and we sit on the floor. At that moment, I notice he doesn't wear shoes inside the house either. When I look up, I see him watching me. — You don't wear shoes in the house either — I comment to avoid an awkward silence.
— One day I saw you coming from the kitchen without shoes — he says — I figured it made sense to be barefoot down here if the whole floor is covered by a carpet.
— My dad was Japanese, and we kept his customs after he died — I say.
— I'm sorry to hear your dad died. I lost a parent too — he says — My mom died when I was very young, but I still remember her.
— Sometimes I'm afraid I won't remember her voice again — I say — Do you still remember many things about her?
— Yes, I remember her very well — he says and grins.
We continue eating and talking about the mischief we got up to as children. I'm surprised to have so much in common with him and that I hadn't tried to talk to him all these months. I didn't consider friendships important because I was never very sociable. Maybe I can open up a bit more now that I'll be finishing university soon.
— Now that we've laid the groundwork for our project, we should go out and celebrate a little — Adrián says. — You know… to relax.
— At this time? — I ask, looking at my wrist. It's 10:40 p.m.
— This is when the fun begins — he says and stands up — Maybe I could help you find a girlfriend, if you want.
— I don't know, I don't think I have the energy for this.
— You need to have more confidence in yourself — he says — A lot of women like intelligent men, you'll definitely find someone quickly if you come with me.
I have to admit I'd like to have some sex, maybe it's time to experience something different to my hands. — Okay — I say, and I head to my room for a quick shower. Adrián gives me an approving look when he sees I'm dressed in black cargo pants, a blue t-shirt, and a pair of bright neon sneakers.
On the way to the party, I see that we're in an upscale neighborhood. The house where the party is being held is quite large. There are many people outside smoking or drinking. Party lights are hanging from the ceiling, and the music is blasting, making objects vibrate. The air is thick and hot with a mix of unfamiliar smells inside. — Come on, I'll introduce you to a friend! — Adrián shouts, but his voice sounds as if he's too far away.
I follow him to the back of the house. The air quickly changes to a cooler one, but the intense smell of marijuana leaves a bad taste in my mouth. "Hey, honey!" a girl calls from the other side of the pool. She's sitting in her underwear, dangling her toes in the water. There's another girl next to her, also dangling her toes in the pool, but she's wearing a blue dress.
— Come on, I want to introduce you to a friend, sweetheart — Adrián shouts. She swims across the pool and stands in front of us. — This is my friend Farley, the guy I share an apartment with.
— Nice to meet you, my name is Camile — she says. Hearing her speak and seeing her more closely, I recognize her. I've seen her a couple of times leaving Adrián's room or passing through the kitchen looking for a way out.
— Nice to meet you — I say, bowing slightly. She looks at me, confused, gives a small bow as well, and bursts out laughing. Most of my social interactions have been with my mom and my dad's family when we visit.
— That's enough, that's rude — Adrián scolds her. She shuts her mouth and walks away, barely containing her laughter — Don't worry about it, she's probably high and everything makes her laugh.
— Sure — I say.
After a while, I agreed to get in the pool while we drank. I'm in boxers near the edge while Adrián smokes next to them — Farley, I think someone's got their eye on you — Camile says, gesturing to a woman swimming at the other end of the pool. She seems to be watching me — You should go talk to her.
— And what should I say? — I ask, a little nervous.
— That doesn't matter, just talk to her about anything, — Adrián says — If you want, you can smoke a little to relieve some tension — he adds, and Camile brings the cigarette to my mouth. I inhale deeply and then exhale through my nose. — Wow, you're not as prudish as I thought! — Adrián says, giving me a playful shove in the back.
It's true I've smoked before, but I'd never used marijuana. I suddenly feel a little dizzy, but it passes as I walk across the pool. — Hi — I say to the girl — What do you think of the party?
— Too many people — she says — but it's relaxing in the pool.
— Yeah, it's really hot inside — I say. The music starts to get a little louder, and I see her lips moving, but I can't quite make out what she's saying — What?
— Do you want to talk somewhere else? — she calls out, leaning towards me. I nod, and she smiles. We both get out of the pool and walk inside the house to one of the bedrooms. When she closes the door, we're a little more insulated from the music. — There should be towels around here — she mentions.
— Is this your house? — I ask, looking around. The bedroom is quite spacious, and despite the darkness, everything is visible thanks to the outside light and the clear curtains.
— You could say that — she says, letting out a giggle as she approaches me with a towel.
— What's your name? — I ask after drying my hair a bit, but she doesn't answer and starts kissing me.
I feel the urge to pull away, but I decide to focus on letting myself go. It doesn't take long for us to be naked on the bed, and then she starts moving her hips against my member, making me come inside her.
— That was great! — I sigh.
— I feel like I wasted my time — she says and starts putting her swimsuit back on.
— Wait, I can do something else...
— No, I'd better go.
When I go back down to the pool, Adrián is gone. At this point, I just want to go home, but he's not there, and I can't find my clothes anywhere. I go back inside and decide to sit on the sofa until I'm lucky enough to spot him in the crowd. There are a couple of guys smoking next to me on the sofa, both of them looking pretty lost as they exhale smoke. One of them mumbles something I can't make out and hands me a cigarette. So what? The best thing I can do now is relax, so I take the joint and inhale deeply, then exhale through my nose. I feel the strong effects hit my head. I start to feel a wave of warmth throughout my body, and my muscles relax as if I'm getting a brain massage.
I glance over at a couple of guys on the couch, but they're just smiling at me, so I take another drag on my cigarette and put it back. My body feels light as I stand up. I see people's faces blurry, and suddenly I see Adrián's face right in front of me. He seems to be talking to me, but I can't understand a word he's saying. — I've been looking for you! — I yell. He takes my arm and leads me out of the house.
— What the hell were you smoking? — he asks as he starts the car.
— Wait, my clothes! Where are my clothes?! — I say, trying to open the car door, but I only manage to stick my head out the window.
— I told you, they're in the back — he says, pointing to the back seats. I go to get them, but he pushes me by the shoulder and fastens my seatbelt. — Stay put. You can get dressed when we get home.