Chapter 2
The last few days have been hard for me with packing and such. I discovered the most nasty stuff hidden away in my closet and under my bed. I don't even remember eating a French fry from McDonald's in my room for a couple years when I moved into this apartment. That's what a dining room and table is for. I didn't have one at the time… Ah. Memories. That is what this stupid packing is bringing back. Of course, I ate it anyway. Those things never go bad. That really probably wasn't smart, but there was a perfectly… eh somewhat good McDonald's fry just sitting under my bed.
Anyway, the reason it has been hard is because 1) it is so much work and 2) it is bringing back memories that I didn't want to remember. Like, when I packed away my collection of signed collectible baseballs, I remembered when my dad passed it down to me when I went to college. That was very heart breaking because he left my mom and me a year later. I haven't spoken to him for awhile. Then, I found my old PlayStation. And all the old games! They don't really work in the newer PlayStation, sigh. But yeah! I remember playing a lot of games with Kiku when I was smaller. He was a Japanese exchange student at the time and years later, he just decided to move back. Well, that's a happy memory at least. So is the memory of my dad, but it is hard, okay!
Well, I wrap a picture frame of Matthew and me when we were teenagers at prom in bubble wrap. Man, that seems like so long ago. Six years ago more or less. He brought Carlos as a friend and I brought uhm… who did I bring? I brought a Russian exchange student. I would have brought Kiku as a friend, but he was only an exchange student for freshman year. Then, we just wrote each other and stuff. I don't even know this Russian dude's name, but he talked awfully funny with all his Russian words he slipped in. Man, that guy was gorgeous... except for that nose. If only I could remember his name. He's probably somewhere in Russia being totally gay in an anti-gay country. Hah. Totally did not seem straight with that pink scarf he always wore. He's even wearing it in the picture. Maybe it is a European thing. Did I even like this guy or did I just go to prom with him cuz he asked me? Did I ask him? Did we go as friends? This picture is making me think too much. I put it in the box and tape it all up.
My Halloween party was a success, on the other hand. It was a pretty big party. I dressed up as Captain Kirk this year and Kiku was this anime character and it totally put my costume to shame. That was uncool. I don't really cosplay too often, except as, like, superheroes and that anime character I look so much like! As well as Captain Kirk, obviously, now. What was the character's name, though? It was a dude from Naruto or something. I don't remember really. To be honest, it was totally a blur because I got so wasted. Well, I am older than twenty one. Twenty four, to be exact, at this moment in time, anyway.
Once I turn around, I see a totally empty flat. It is a flat, as my boss, Mr. Kirkland, called it because it is in a building that has people actually living in it besides me and a land lady that knows you personally. If I had a guy to live with he'd have to be tall and have dark curly hair, very crabby and annoying and we could solve murder mysteries together. No, this is an apartment, I told him because this is America and I am not Watson nor Sherlock, nor is Mrs. Garret in any way like Ms. Hudson. Either way, the apartment is barren, boxes lined up along the walls and big furniture staying in its place. There is a banner hung up for me for my party and assorted drinks and snacks in the kitchen. I'm getting a flight today at nine, so my party is going from two to six. What time is it right now?
Man, it is two o'clock right now. I hear a knock at the door. Great. I wasn't even in my party gear. I was planning to wear this really sweet party outfit that says, "Wow, Alfred's got style," but now, I can't even wear it. Maybe it is just Kiku and I can make him wait. When I open the door, I see that it is Kiku.
"Uh… dude. Come to my bedroom and help me pick out clothes." He stares at me with a very confused expression, but I pull him up there anyway. I pick out my leather bomber jacket and find some skinny jeans to wear. For my shirt, I guess just a white undershirt will do. Then, I change in the bathroom. I guess I didn't need Kiku to be in here with me, but he is the only one at my place right now, and I just love attention, but shh. Once in my clothes, I hear another knock on the door. I pull Kiku down the stairs with me and open the door. Now, the party's starting! I'll just fall asleep on the couch tonight and move over tomorrow. My stuff is going to be driven a couple states over. It's going to be a nine hour drive, but I can live. It isn't like I have to start work right in the morning. Besides, truck drivers drive much longer.
A small hand pulls me off to the side. It happens to be Matthew. A wide smile forms upon my face and I hug my brother very tightly. Ah, I can hear his muffled complaints as I keep him held close. It is pretty comforting to know that I can make my brother feel very awkward by giving him just a big hug. I pull away now to hear what he has to say. I'm sure he had a purpose for pulling me off to a corner.
"Alfred, do you know what you are doing? You can't just up and leave everyone you know!" Matthew shouts, which really is in normal speaking voice. I've gotten him to really start shouting, but it doesn't end to well. He is normally very quiet.
"Well, why do you think I'm holding this party? Plus, I think that hot babe, Natalya, will be in California… I know someone!" I try and persuade him. I know that Matthew is just trying to guilt me into not leaving. He's going to miss me. That's a bit nice. "Besides, I've always wanted to go to California… These… these middle states, the most water you see is when it rains or decide to take a trip to a lake." I put my arm around Matthew and motion to the "big picture." I don't know what this picture is, but I do know one thing, I am really good at convincing people to see a better of things. "Think about it. Texas, the only water I see is the river, which I don't even live near. It's freezing in the winter and I'm dying in the summer. In Cali, I'll have cool summers by the beach and nice winters with no snow in the winter. Don't you think I'd be happy there?" Matthew tsks and removes my arm.
"Fine… You have a point… I think I'll just go up to your old bedroom, kay?" Matthew's not a social person. I nod my head despite my current thoughts. He invited Carlos! Carlos. That man despises me with all his being and now Matty isn't even going to talk to him?! This really sucks. Well, if Carlos punches me, I am going to blame it entirely on Matthew. We'll see how my brother feels once I have black eye I can entirely blame on him.
Now, I'll go and have a last conversation with those guys, the Spaniard, Frenchy, and the albino. Such a weird group. I know that Liz will be hanging out with them by default, though, because of her boyfriend. "Hey guys! I just wanted to say hi before I go! So hi!" Man, that was a weak starter, but I'll probably get some conversation out of them.
"Man, you got any beer?" Gil asks. Is beer really his top priority right now and did he totally not see the keg set up in the middle of the barren room now filled with about forty people? I gesture over to the silvery-greyish thing with my arms and scoff at him. I think my gestures say enough about how I feel. I'm kind of stressed out with the nine hour thing tomorrow now since I decided to hold a party right before that. Goddammit, Alfred. Sometimes, I am surprised at my own idiocy. No wonder Kirkland thinks I'm such an idiot. Now, the German walks over to the keg.
"Gilbert peut être un idiot quelquefois… excuse-il…" Francis chuckles a little bit. I have no idea what he just said besides Gilbert, idiot, and excuse. I stare at him blankly for a second before he catches on that he is not speaking with Gilbert or Antonio and that he actually has to speak English. "Never mind…" Well, that was worth waiting for. Now, he is just speaking French to Antonio, who replies back in Spanish. Gilbert comes back and starts speaking in German. They all laugh. In the meantime, I have no idea what the heck is happening.
"Guys. Speak English. Seriously. I'm moving to California and I'd like to know what y'all are talkin' about!" I sass them in a slightly Southern accent. Born and raised in the South, which is why it comes out every once in awhile. In business trips (because sometimes my stupid boss would force me to come with him because I do everything for him even though I'm only paid for an IT job), I realized that people do not take you seriously if you speak with a lovely Southern accent. There is a united sigh. The nerve.
"Oui… oh, I mean yes, your majesty… Americans…" Frenchy growls. Rude. I know the French hate Americans, but how stereotypical. I give up. My hands raise in the air, and I just storm off. I don't care. I'm just going to walk away now, not that you guys give a shit or that you can hear me thinking this. Whatever.
My next move is to flop on the couch because what else can I do? The loud music I have playing slowly fades as I fall asleep in the middle of the party. Matthew is taking up the bedroom. I'm the first one to fall asleep, but I need my rest to drive tomorrow. All my stuff is up in my bedroom and stacked along the walls, so the partiers couldn't do too much damage to them.
In the morning, I look around me to see that my place is barren… entirely. Not a soul. Just red cups everywhere, food, and clothes people seemed to have left here. I start putting all that stuff into a trash bag and cleaning up the floor. After all, I'm selling my place. Man, that was such a dumb move. None of the boxes are damaged or stolen. I counted them before I started the party. Point for Alfred. I now go upstairs to find that Matthew has left as well. Nice. Now, the movers are coming in a few minutes.
Well, I'm glad I decided to fall asleep and that I washed all the marker off of my face (so many dick drawings ugh) because the movers have moved all my stuff and I have that long drive ahead of me. The drive is relatively uneventful besides the two songs I thought would never play playing, one being "Highway to Hell" and the other being "Life is a Highway" while I'm on a highway. They are totally polar genres, but those songs made me gravitate to the "Highway" channel on XM radio which plays a bunch of country rock and pop. I like country anyways. Besides, it would be really annoying if I didn't considering that I live in the south, well, lived. My entire drive consisted of me eating chips and beef jerky and chugging soda and obviously listening to country music. Now, I finally got to my beautiful new apartment in San Francisco which is really expensive, but with this new job, I feel I can afford it… Besides, I was able to make the down payment (barely) or whatever they call that pre-payment that isn't exactly rent yet.
Ah, the city is on a harbor, which means it totally is near a beach. I can't wait. The movers are already moving my stuff in here. This is great. At the moment, I am so happy that I literally faint on my bed. Oh wait, that's just from exhaustion from driving all day. Luckily the movers left at that point.
An hour later, I am awakened by a loud knock. It must be neighbors. My movers plugged in my fridge for me, so at least, I have a place to put a casserole. Is that what neighbors give each other? It is what they do in movies, but I don't even know if it is a neighbor. I open the door and my eyes widen at the figure before me. I never thought that I would see this person so unexpectedly and so ironically considering my thoughts lately have been about people from my past. "It's… you…" Memories come back at the sight of this person.