Touch

Though the night was still young, I was getting bored.

I was tipsy, the music was… o-kay, I guess. I was with two of my very good friends, who thought being my wingmen would be funny and adventurous, but let’s face it – I never needed a wingman. I had been in the dating scene long enough to spot the right kind of trouble from a mile away.

Sorry – not dating.

I never really dated anyone.

I was fine with just hookups. Preferably the ones I wouldn’t see for the rest of my life.

And that was exactly why we were in this bar, pretending to have fun – or maybe it was just me, because Stanley and Maria looked like they were having real fun – pretty far away from our college.

I washed my hands after finishing my business in the restroom and looked at my reflection in the mirror.

I had to dye my hair soon. I could see the boring brown roots showing. I liked my hair black. It looked intimidating with my blue eyes.

Yeah, I liked what I saw every time I looked in the mirror.

I went back to the bar where my friends were, talking to two guys with exaggerated gestures.

Well, that was Maria, actually. She loved good-looking guys. She also loved good-looking girls.

Stanley… Well, he was too good-looking for a twenty-year-old, but unfortunately, he was straight.

I had no idea why he was hanging out with us.

Maybe he was into Maria?

I didn’t really care. As long as it didn’t fuck up our relationship, I was okay with anyone doing whatever with whoever.

Were they playing…Blister in the Sun?

We all looked at each other and started jumping. The other guys chuckled and smirked at each other and kissed… completely ignoring us, as if we were the most boring trio in the world. Maria scoffed and flung her big Latino hair toward them.

They were kissing, we were still jumping, and finally I was starting to have fun.

We danced to a few other songs until I collapsed on a bar stool and asked the bartender for a drink.

I took a sip from my glass and turned around to observe my surroundings.

Maria and Stanley were still dancing. The music had changed drastically. The DJ was playing some 90s pop, and I had to say it was much, much better than whatever the hell they were playing before.

Well…hello…

A blondie with broad shoulders and a dimpled smile was walking toward me with confident steps.

He was handsome, I had to give him that. And the fact that he wasn’t breaking my gaze was a bonus. He was racking up points as he walked.

He stopped beside me.

A little too close, but it was okay. At least his intention was clear from the first minute.

He eyed me from head to toe, and I did the same.

“Can I buy you a drink?” I asked, and he nodded.

Still making eye contact.

He knew his game. I liked that.

When I asked him what he wanted to drink and he told me his poison was beer, I was kind of disappointed. The beer was fine. Calling it his poison was a little old-fashioned, maybe even tacky. But he was handsome, so again, I let it go.

Neither of us was there to spill secrets to the other. We were there for only one thing. And the guy liked beer. He’d get beer, then.

The bartender handed me the beer bottle and I held it out to the guy, whose fingers closed over mine.

02/20/2076

I tilted my head, still holding the bottle, his hand still over mine.

02/20/2076

I could live with that. Plenty of time.

The next thing I knew, we were kissing in my car.

His hands were all over me, trying to get into my pants – I had to stop him a few times.

He was eager, too eager, and I liked it, but I didn’t like car sex. I liked to be comfortable.

So, sue me.

We drove to my place with his mouth on my dick. I had to really concentrate on the traffic rules, but if I had to be honest, I had no idea how we got to my house.

The moment we stepped inside, all bets were off.

We acted like two lovers reunited after a long time. We acted like we knew each other’s bodies.

But in reality, there were a few chuckles when I couldn’t unzip his jeans, and a few more when he accidentally headbutted me because I wanted to get down on him, whereas he had the same idea.

We had fun. Lots of fun.

I woke up feeling heavily hungover. I was thirsty, my body felt sticky from sweat, and the reason for that was the guy sleeping next to me.

I turned my head slowly and looked at him.

He was somehow blonder. His hair was shiny too.

But he didn’t look as handsome as he had last night.

I inhaled, slipping out of bed. I checked my phone for the time and messages and, sure enough, there were quite a few from Maria, scolding me for ditching them for a lay.

She’d get over it. It wasn’t the first time, anyway.

I went into the bathroom, deliberately making noise to wake the guy up, but I guess he was a heavy sleeper.

I was getting irritated.

At least he didn’t snore.

I took the longest shower in hopes of him leaving my house by the time I was finished, but when I entered my room again, I shook my head in disappointment.

I was getting frustrated.

I put on my clothes and looked around for my most valuable things.

Phone, MacBook, and my little red notebook.

I opened my notebook and stared at the last page for a few seconds.

What was his name? He did tell me his name, I was sure of it, but I just couldn’t remember it.

Oh well… He was going to be Austin.

Austin, 02/20/2076, I wrote, and closed the notebook.

I looked at Austin one last time and left the house.

I put the top down and let the wind flow through my damp hair. I swear, that was the only reason I had a convertible. I was too chicken to ride a motorcycle, and this was the second-best thing in my opinion.

Plus, to feel the wind in your hair on a motorcycle, you’d have to ditch your helmet, which could be fatal.

So yeah, I was pretty content with my convertible.

I went to a breakfast place and devoured everything I ordered. I observed the people in the restaurant. Happy people. Straight couples in love. Toddlers having tantrums. Stressed-out parents. Calm babies, looking at toddlers having tantrums.

Life was still moving on.

I left the place and went to Rodeo Drive. Unfortunately, it was packed – full of tourists. I stopped at one of my favorite shops and bought two t-shirts and a pair of sunglasses I didn’t need. The sales associate, who was flirting with me – sorry, honey, but you’re barking up the wrong tree – tried to show me a jacket. It was fine, I guess. But then I saw the logo on the sleeve.

No, thank you.

I texted Maria back, but I guess she, too, was still sleeping. Didn’t even bother with Stanley.

I took my time. I really took my time getting back home.

And thank God, Austin was gone by the time I got home.

But he did leave a message on one of my flashcards. I got irritated once more, because I liked those flashcards.

Let’s do it again. Phone number. Corey.

I guess he was Corey, then.

I took my red notebook out of my backpack and scratched out Austin and wrote Corey instead.

I took Corey’s note and threw it in the trash.