Hangover

[Note: This story is from 2005ish.]

It was nearing the end of the school year and I needed something different. Different routine, different friends, different anything. I loved everything I had, yet I wanted more. It was school, circus practice, work at the bookstore, homework, hanging out every night. It didn't change. I loved the routine, yet I wanted something else.

I was at the mall bookstore, getting ready to close the gate, when my friend Aaron waved to me from across the way. Running over as I moved the Dan Brown display into the shop, he looked excited, vibrant, more so than usual. Aaron, although an incredibly nice guy, had a tendency to turn girls off due to his pessimistic nature. Always doubting and downplaying himself, it was unattractive and ill suited for someone so friendly. "Hey," he said with a finalized breath and cock of the head.

"Hey Aaron, what's going on?" I asked as I unlocked the bargain book cart's wheels.

"Not much! Glad I caught you before the store closed."

"Well, you should have came earlier," I joked. He helped me maneuver the cart back in the store, dodging hanging shelves and piles of books on the floor.

"I know, I know. I was with a friend. Anyway, what're you up to tonight?"

"Nothing that I'm aware of. I think I might be hanging out with Lin, but that's it. Why? What's up?"

"Oh, we're having a party. I was seeing if you wanted to come." He brushed his shaggy brown hair out of his face. His face was so young looking with unfortunate stress lines.

"Cool," I absently said as I lowered the gate halfway. Although I wanted to talk to him, I wanted to get the store closed first. I hated when people came in last minute with full intentions of browsing around the store. "Who's going? And where is it?"

"It's an OT party at Matt and Ernest's house. So, they'll be there. And me. And Samir, you know Samir. You could bring Lindsay, too."

OT was the abbreviation for Oncoming Traffic, the school's improvisational comedy troupe. I managed to meet a few members all separately, not knowing that they were in the troupe together. Aaron was the lead in a student film I produced. His friends Kevin and Joe befriended me when I was Alice in the play Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. And Samir and I had a literature class together earlier in the year. Truth was, Samir invited me to those parties previously and although I was always tempted to go, I rarely did. At the time I was joined permanently to my circus friends; they were my life, they knew everything about me. I was comfortable with them. Also, in new situations, I was incredibly shy and uncomfortable. It took me a bit to warm up and feel right around new people. But, needing something different, I decided to venture outside of my comfort zone. I figured now was a good time to hang out with a new group.

"Alright, Aaron I'll see you there. I'll call you when I get home for directions."

"Great!" With a hug he left me to lower the gate, straighten the store, count out the register, and drive home.

"So you'll come with me, yes?"

"Sounds good!" Although she had friends outside of circus, I knew Lin needed a break from our friends as well. Sometimes the drama was too much. Plus, after an unfortunate crush, I wanted to help her find someone new. Someone who wasn't within our circus family. Around 10 Lin came over with three outfits to choose from. We had a routine before each big night out: she's bring over clothes and lay them on my bed next to the ones I've already picked out, we'd evaluate the pros and cons of each outfit, pick one for each of us, reevaluate them after my male (and gay) roommate would assess the choices, primp, take pictures, leave. It's true the routine took long but sometimes it was my favorite part of the night. I loved blasting the upbeat music and dancing around my room with Lin. I loved the excitement of each outfit choice and the mystery of what the night would bring us. In the end, I remember getting ready for each party better than I remember the parties themselves.

I had Samir meet us in the parking lot of the party's apartment complex, not four minutes from my apartment. I didn't want us to walk in to a strange apartment alone, especially considering I only knew the hosts by face. Plus, Samir was safe. He was one of my close guy friends and I knew he'd take care of us.

"I'm glad you finally decided to come!" he said, his British accent smoothing out the word "glad" in ways that my chunky New York accent never could.

"Well, we wanted to see what all the fuss was about," I said, giving him a hug. He led Lin and I up the stairs and into the apartment. Inside were enough people, but not too many. You could easily see everyone and not get lost, however there wasn't a lack of conversation. A record didn't scratch and heads didn't turn when we, the only non-theatre people, walked in. Instead, we were received with warm smiles and introductions. The hosts, Matt and Ernest, approached us early on. Matt, tall and thin, had a goofy, kind smile and wandering eyes. Ernest, sturdy and jovial, made us feel at home.

Not long after we were given drinks and a place to sit on the couch, singing started. Much like circus parties where people were sometimes found juggling fire or drunkenly balancing, improv parties contained, well, improvisational singing. With Matt on the keyboard, the main guys all started singing randomly. Confused, yet intrigued, I let it all sink in. Samir gave me a nod to make sure I was okay and Aaron gave me a high five for coming. Lindsay quickly spoke up, not shy when it comes to making friends, and engaged the people around us in conversation. The ice of uncomfortableness was slowly melting.

After beating Aaron in an arm wrestling contest (you never test a circus girl), I finally asked what the party was for.

"It's hangover!" Kevin stated, calmly, as if I was supposed to know what that meant. Kevin was the ringleader of the troupe. Although short, his personality made up for it. He was charismatic, yet unpredictable.

"Of course it is," I agreed nodding my head with a wry smile.

"Exams are coming up, right? Well I don't have a lot this year, so I've decided to drink through exam week starting now. We all are."

"So the name is in honor of how you'll feel in the morning?"

"Sort of...it's actually just a play on Passover. Which is funny considering none of us are Jewish."

"I'm Jewish," I said, with mock outrage.

"Yeesh" he answered, looking awkwardly away and tugging on his t-shirt's neck. And then, with a laugh and a smile I was in. I knew instantly that this was a group i'd stick with.