A Christmas Party

I am a boy who does not appreciate parties too much.

You could call me kill joy or whatever, but I am just being myself. I rarely enjoyed parties. Maybe it’s because of the repetitive things that are done on them, or because it’s just not my type. I am a hard guy to please, and I don’t know why. I guess that’s just me.

My friends often tease me a lot. They say that I don’t know the true meaning of fun, but I don’t care what they say. Ignorants.

I never enjoyed my high school christmas parties too. Because as a high school student, we must be mature. And the things they do on high school christmas parties are way immature. Playing all those childish games, and giving gifts that contains nothing but other childish and stupid things. I easily get bored and irritated on those stuff.

So, when my father invited me to come with him on his company christmas party one friday night of december, I hesitated and protested a lot.

“Why me? Why not just take Mom instead?” I said, in a near-yell voice.

“We’re supposed to bring kids, my boss said.” My Dad said.

“And do I look like a kid to you?” I said, standing up from the couch where I’ve been lying on, reading Breaking Dawn. “Come on, Dad, I’m graduating from high school in three-month’s time!”

“Don’t worry, Son, it will be fun. It would be a party you’ve never imagined.” My Dad said, with indignation.

Practicing my 90/10 principle, I agreed to come. I went to my room without any last words and wondered how unfair he didn’t accept any of my decision. I took some clothes from my closet, ironed them, and prepared them for tomorrow night. I never spoke to my Dad the rest of that night.

My father’s office is at Makati City. He was the “accountant” at some insurance company I only knew as the “Insurance Company”.

I slept that night, praying that nightmares arrive on my head, a storm will hit the country tomorrow all day and night so the party would be halted, and when I woke up the next day, I nearly cursed God himself.

It was a perfect day. The sun was shining through my windows, burning my room, and for me it was a bad day.

I never stayed at the house the whole day. I went to my friend’s house and drowned myself to some junk food and RC Cola. When afternoon came, I went home and saw my father preparing for his christmas party.

“It’s still early.” I told him.

“The early bird catches the worm!” he replied, smiling.

“Whatever. I’m gonna get ready too.” I said, before dashing to my room.

I lied first on my bed. Thinking to myself how perfect. I hate this day. I’m going to some stupid christmas party.

But then again, most of the people there are my father’s office mates. They are professionals, so probably they’re mature. It would be an “adult christmas party”. So maybe it would be fun. For me.

At about 7pm, me and my father went to his office. My mind still can’t remove the fact that there are still kids there, so I’m not sure whether I’ll have fun or not.

When we arrived, I hesitated to come in. But with my father’s stupid persuasion prowess, I entered.

I could hear music from the elevator as we arrive on the 5th floor.

And when they opened, it was a nightmare.

My father’s officemates are wearing silly party hats on their heads, there’s also a clown(my father told me that the clown was his supervisor) entertaining the kids with his game of “Trip to Jerusalem”.

Silly. Stupid. Immature. Boring. Irritating. Christmas Party.

I went to the buffet table, got some food, sat on a table, and ate slowly. I want to punch my Dad for bringing me to this inferno. I’d rather be reading how Bella and Edward spent their honeymoon. For the 500th time.

Damn. Damn. Damn. It was all I could think of I swallow the ambrosia from the underworld. I watched my Dad as he laughed around with his office mates because of some sort of nonsense they’re talking about.

I watched as the kids run around with the stupid clown chasing them to the river styx.

I was in underworld. And I saw Hades with Charon coming towards me.

“Son,” my father said, pointing to the man he was with, “I would like you to meet a good friend of mine. This is Henry Brooks, head of the (I didn’t pay attention to what department Mr. Brooks belongs)department.” Then glancing at Mr. Brooks, “Henry, this is my son.”

Mr. Brooks held out his hand. I took it and shooked it. A professional man.

“You’re father tells me you hate parties.” he said to me, smiling.

I smiled back. “And so I do.” I replied, politely.

“My daughter,” Mr. Brooks said, “Is the exact opposite.” He then pointed to a girl my age dancing with the clown and the kids.

I was stunned. The girl was my age, had a long black hair, a perfect smile, and eyes that made me want to dance with her.

Mr. Brooks called her. And the girl went quickly.

“Kaycee, I would like you to meet Mr. Cortez’s son.”

“Hi!” she said, took my hand that I never really offered, then shook it. “I never knew that someone my age is here too!”

I was speechless. Seeing her beauty right in front of me would really leave me wordless. “Neither did I…” was all I said.

“We’ll leave you guys for a while, okay?” my father said. And I’m somewhat glad they left.

“So, you’re graduating too?” I asked, slowly, not looking at her.

“Yes!” she said, cheerfully.

There was a moment of silence.

“Would you like to dance with the kids?” she asked.

“I don’t really dance.” I replied back.

“Oh, come on! Of course you do! Come on! It will be fun!” she insisted.

“No, really, thanks for asking but–” before I could complete what I was supposed to say, she dragged me at the center of the hall, with other children and the clown.

She started moving gracefully, with the beat of the melodic music, and I was standing still. I never knew what to do. I was just simply standing there, watching her. She was Persephone…and I was Hades. But for me, this is no longer the underworld…this was Paradise. A far better paradise!

“Come on! Move! You’re not a statue are you?” she said, her golden eyes focusing on me.

“No,” I said, “I guess I’m not.”

“Then dance!”

I don’t know what to do. But I did. I moved with her, and I was happy. I was like an eagle flying high, never caring if I fall or not, all I know is that I was moving freely with her…

When the music stopped, we two were still dancing. When I noticed that most of the people are watching us, I stopped moving. I felt embarassed. I saw my father watching me, and there was a happy smile on his face.

“Let’s sit for a while…” Kaycee requested.

I followed her to a table where we sat.

I was out of words to ask. I don’t know why, but this maybe is a point in time when we are mental blocked.

I was staring at her as she looked around. She was so pretty, and I could focus my eyes at her throughout eternity.

She saw me looking at her, so I quickly looked away.

“Why do you hate parties?” she asked.

“I don’t!” I said, in denial, “I never did.”

She smiled a little. “You look a lot bored.”

“Do I?” I said, thinking how to make my next words a lot cheesy, “Well, I guess I’m not bored now. Now that you’re here.”

She laughed. “That was nice. Really nice.”

I have no idea if she got it as a true statement or a joke.

This is the best party I’ve ever been to. Her presence made that possible. This night was a perfect one. There was me and her sitting together, talking now, about a lot of stuff. High school life, the twilight saga, college courses, universities to apply, movies, politics…

I was like…in love with her.

It was about 11pm when the kids got tired, the clown is gone, and the music was slow.

Now playing: Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron & Wine

It was a song I really liked. And she was humming to it.

“Would you like to dance?” I asked her this time.

“Sure!” she agreed.

We stood together, and I could hear some of my father’s friends clapping their hands.

I smiled at them and even waved a hand at them. I can’t believe I’m dancing, but I’m glad I am.

Me and Kaycee swayed at the music. It was the sweetest thing. It was the sweetest thing that has happened to me on any party.

Her face was close to mine. The magnificent visage of an angel. Perfect. Like the imaginary face of Isabella Swann.

I love her. I’m sure.

“Hey, why so silent?” she asked.

“What would you like me to say?” I asked too.

“Umm…something cheesy?” she said.

I smiled. “You made me realize parties don’t tend to suck.” I said.

She smiled back. Her teeth sparkling. “What makes you say that?”

“Because you’re here. And you made my day special.” I said.

She fell silent.

Her face was close. Too close. I could smell her breath as my head dug deeper to penetrate her sweet rosy placid lips.

Then our lips dampened at the end of the song.

It was pathetic bliss. It was joy.

It’s the most memorable night of my life.

A few seconds later, our lips broke their tight kiss. She let go of my hands, and ran towards his father.

I watched as they left the building.

No last words. Not even a goodbye.

And I was stunned.

Me and my father went home at about 12am. He was tired, so I let him sleep.

And I can’t sleep.

The next day, I asked my father about Mr. Brooks. And he told me what I want to know.

When January came, and work begins again, my father told me that Mr. Brooks and his family has migrated to another country. I asked him if Mr. Brook’s daughter mentioned me but my father told me there was nothing. Mr. Brooks didn’t even say goodbye to him.

I tried having fun on any parties that I attended the next months, but nothing special ever happened.

Now, I’m graduating from college, and I still remember that special night. That christmas party.

After the ceremony, my father told me that Mr. Brooks has returned to their previous home here in the Philippines after about five years.

Mr. Brooks went to our house, for I threw a graduation party.

Mr. Brooks came alone.

When I asked for Kaycee, he told me that Kaycee is with her husband and children at their home. And that she never mentioned any words of encouragement. She didn’t even asked for me.

I don’t know if she remembers that kiss I gave her, but for me it is the memory that I will cherish until I die.

If time travel is possible, I would return to that christmas party.