Chapter 3

“Hey Michi, you wanna go out with me and my friends?” I had answered my cell phone. It was late, well, I thought it was late. It was after ten. Clay sounded wide awake.

“Yeah, sure…when?” I sat up. I went over to my calendar. It was empty, except for the days I have to work. I was glad to be doing something with a nice guy. I was kind of glad Clay didn’t go to my school.

I just don’t feel safe in who I am. I don’t hate that I’m gay, but it is tuff. I don’t feel safe in going out with another guy, but I don’t care. It’s my life and if I want to date another guy it shouldn’t really matter to anyone but me and him.

“You free Friday?” Work. I had to work on Friday, but my mom wouldn’t make me work if I really wanted to go out. She told me I didn’t have a social life. I laughed, but it was true. My culture shocked mother knew I didn’t have a social life.

“Yeah, I’m free.” I said. I wrote in on my calendar that I had plans on Friday. It was Wednesday. “What are we doing?”

“A party, so look cute. Bye.”

“Bye…” I felt my face with my hands. It was hot. He was attracted to me and it made me feel weird. Why would somebody like me? I laughed. He told me to look cute.

Clay met me at my mom’s shop on Friday. I was wearing a pair of jeans, Converse sneakers, and a fitted flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up. It was yellow and blue. Clay had on a baseball cap, light blue jeans, and a red t-shirt. He was also wearing his letterman jacket. Something about that jacket was so hot.

“Hi Clay.” I said. He smiled at ME. My mom handed me some money and told me to be safe. I told her I would be and left. Clay was mouthing something over and over, like he was practicing saying something.

When we were in his truck, he turned towards me and said “Kun bon wah.” I laughed and he smiled. “Not right, huh? I was practicing that all day."

“Konbanwa. I think you did all right.” He laughed. “That’s so cool, that you can speak a different language.”

“Yeah, I guess.” He had been driving for a while, but then he pulled up in front of a really nice house. A party was in full-swing. It was a bit before nine and we got out of his truck and went into the house.

I saw the three other guys and the three girls from the night I met Clay. I met an Emma, Mike, Sara, Peter, Julie, and Charles. They were all taller than I was, even the girls.

They were all so…gorgeous. It was like a movie and I was a part of it. They were all drinking. I wasn’t. I guess I’m the annoying one who doesn’t like breaking the rules.

“My girlfriend knows…what? What do you know Jules? Oh yeah. She knows how to count in Spanish.” What started this conversation? Oh yeah. Mike, Peter, and Charles were debating whose girlfriend had the total package. Brains and looks and all that stuff.

“My boyfriend knows Japanese!” I choked a bit on my water. When did we enter this contest? When did I become his boyfriend? They all looked at me. It was awful.

“Uh, Watashi wa pati de koko ni iru yo. Sore wa tanoshimida to watashi wa dare mo ga atarashii aete ureshiidesu.” They all laughed. One of them asked what I said. “I am here at a party. It is fun and I am glad to meet everyone new.”

They laughed again and I blushed. I was so embarrased. At least Clay won the contest.