I stood at the bar, deep bass pulsing through my hand and vibrating my glass. I glanced to the dance floor, uninterested but lacking another place to look. The sweaty club-goers grinded against each other, sharing their limitless energy the people beside them. Frivolous, I thought, sitting down at a newly opened seat. I set the glass down and my head down next to it. Beads of condensation jumped down the glass, forming a subtle ring of water on the polished wooden surface of the bar. The couple to the right muttered 'I love yous' and 'forevers' to each other. To my left were a group of men roughly my age taking shots for winning whatever sporting event they had just won.

I sighed. Had I not promised to meet my cousin here, I would be in my dorm, studying to the midterms I had in a few days, drowning out my annoying roommate and his girlfriend with the sounds of the Indie Top 40s of the week. Not something I wanted to be doing per say, but far more practical than sitting here for going on at least 20 minutes. Hell, if I really wanted to I could leave, and she would be none the wiser. Sorry, I imagined. I forgot we were meeting. Another time? I chuckled to myself. She wasn't necessarily the smartest of the people I knew, and I would definitely get away with that.

Tilting the short glass to my mouth, my glanced at my watch. Quarter to 9. She was a half hour late, and if I left now, I might just have enough time to read a few pages before my roommate's twice weekly romp started. The now empty glass was settled on the bar and I was half way out the door before my name was called. I stalled, debating the potential option of pretending I hadn't heard it at all when a hand clamped onto my shoulder and spun me into a hug.

"Zexy! It's so good to see you again!" The girl shouted over the loud music.

Grudgingly, I hugged her back. "You know I hate being called that, Eleri."

"Yeah, whatever." She said, dragging me over to the bar. She forced me to sit and leaned against the bar, shoving a man out of the way to do so. "How're you doing cos? It's like you've been ignoring me!"

I have been ignoring you, I thought. "I'm good. You know I've been super busy. How are you?"

She sighed loudly. Here we go. "Absolutely amazing. Jacob bought me a dozen roses for our anniversary and had his frat sing to me as he gave me them." She gazed into space drearily, completely forgetting I was there. I slowly stood to leave but she snapped back to it. "So how's your love life? Met a nice girl yet?"

I sighed. My family all knew I was gay, yet they had decided I needed to find an nice, Catholic girl and I would realize how wrong I was. Right. It was in my best interest to pretend, as I so often did, that I was straight. Save us all the hassle. "Yeah, she's great. Well, at least my roommate says she is while they're fornicating." She looked at me with those big puppy dog eyes of hers. Clearly she misunderstood. "I'm not dating anyone. Don't have the time for it. My roommate, on the other hand, has a very healthy sex life."

She ordered us both martinis. "Don't talk like that! This is university! You have all the time you need and a campus full of women for you to pick from. Hey Laci!" She waved over me. I rolled my eyes; like every other family member, she was again going to attempt to set me up with a female friend of hers. The girl came over and they chatted for a few moments. "Zexy, this is Laci from my yoga class."

I reached my hand out to shake her hand. "Zexion. It's a pleasure to meet you."

She smiled, gap-toothed and all. "Hi. Eleri has told me a lot about you."

I tried to hide my eyes rolling. Really, I tried. "Did she tell you I was gay?" Her eyes widened slightly and she took a half-step backwards. "No? Sorry. I'm gay. See you later El." I stood up and pushed my way out of the claustrophobia of the club, ignoring her shouts for me to come back.

The air outside felt nice on my heated skin. The breeze cooled me down, calming my anger, massaging my tense shoulders.

"Get out of here, you drunk whore!" A burly voice came from the club entrance followed by laughter. I turned my head to see a body hit the ground. Against my better judgment, I jogged over to the body.

"Hey, you okay?" I asked, tapping the shoulder.

The body turned and revealed a boy with a pretty bruised looking eye and a bloody nose. He laughed. "That was fun!"

"You were literally thrown out of a bar." I said disbelievingly, helping him to his feet. "What's your name?" He stopped laughing hard enough to hand me a sheet of paper.

Hi. My name is Demyx. When I get pissed drunk and thrown out of a bar, please take me home. Room 604 Jakesby Hall. If I'm being stupid, call Marshall. 555-4211.

I looked back at the guy in front of me. Did he seriously need and escort home? I sighed, heaving one of his arms over my shoulder and started walking in the direction of the Hall. I pulled out my phone and called the number, Demyx throwing insults at anyone we passed. "Marshall? Hi. My name's Zexion. I'm bringing Demyx back to you."