To be honest, i'm a little nervous. I've never been to a bachelor party before. All I know about bachelor parties is that friends of the groom hosts a party for him to celebrate him being engaged and everybody does 'manly' stuff like invite strippers and all that. I think i'm more nervous about being surrounded by alcohol and strippers more than the party itself. I'm the type of guy that likes being alone with a book in hand. I don't really like being around people much nor talk to people. It's just not my scene. The only reason i'm going is because my best friend from high school, Collin Hatake said that the party is for a friend of ours that we went to high school with. I asked Collin who the guy is, but he wouldn't budge with the details so I decided to leave it as a surprise. Though, i'm really curious about who the groom is because i'm not friends with many people from high school.
When I finally reached the door of the apartment on the second floor of the apartment building where the bachelor party is held at, I stopped right in front of it and took a deep breath. I tried to calm my beating heart and queasy stomach. I know I shouldn't be this nervous about some party, but it's a little nerve wracking since I've never been to one before. Either way, I can't back out now. I promised Collin that I would come. Normally, I would never budge when Collin asked me for stuff, but this time, he really wanted me to come and wouldn't stop giving me those puppy dog eyes so I had to give in and say yes.
I took another final deep breath and straighten out my long sleeved black shirt a bit before I slowly raised my hand up to the door and knocked on it gently. I stood there and waited for someone to answer the door. I waited and waited till I saw the door opening and I thought it was going to be the groom, but instead it's Collin. I smiled softly, feeling a little bit better now that I've seen his face. Collin looked at me and smiled back.
"Hey, come on in. Everybody is already here." He said as he moved out of the way to let me in.
I slowly stepped inside then looked briefly around the apartment. Just like on the outside, it looked really expensive like some doctor owned it. I was really impressed by how put together and clean it was. I like stuff to be clean and since i'm a writer/photographer, I like to see stuff that looks like it needs a picture to be taken.
"Everybody is in the living room." Collin said, closing the door behind me then he started walking down the hallway.
I quickly followed after him while I took the whole apartment in until we finally reached the living room. There, I saw a bunch of guys sitting around.
"Hey, guys. Landon is here." Collin said as we both entered the living room.
Everybody in the room greeted me with hi's and waves. I nodded to each and every one of them until my eyes landed on one person in particular. Suddenly, I felt my heart drop literately to the floor as my eyes gazed upon the familiar face. Or should I say 'almost' because I haven't seen this person since we graduated together seven years ago.
Ricardo Hayes, my ex boyfriend from high school is the groom. I can tell because everybody is sitting around him like he's the king of the castle and he's the only one at this party that I know. Aside from Collin, but I know Collin isn't the one getting married or else he would've told me.
I have so many feelings riling up inside of me. I feel confused because I thought Ricardo wasn't coming back to the U.S. after leaving, I'm angry because he's getting married to someone that isn't me and overall, I feel sick to my stomach and I just want to disappear.
I noticed that everybody was staring at me, wondering why i'm just standing here, but I don't pay them any attention. Finally, my eyes leave Ricardo and they land on Collin. I saw that Collin was staring at me with a worried expression.
"Collin...." I spoke softly, but I can slowly feel my voice rising.
"Right...Guys, we'll be right back okay?" He said then he grabbed my wrist and led me away from the living room.
We both walked down the hallway till we were out of earshot and were able to talk. I stood in front of Collin and crossed my arms over my chest, staring at me.
"How come you never told me Ricardo came back to America?" I asked.
Collin bit down on his bottom lip then sighed. "I....I know. I'm sorry."
"And you brought me here even though you knew how I would react?" I asked.
Collin slowly nodded. "I...I just wanted you to move on. Besides, Ricardo said he wanted to see you."
I blinked my eyes, confused by Collin's last words.
Ricardo wanted to see me?
I dropped my arms to my sides then I sighed deeply.
"Look, I know you have a lot of questions, but it's best that Ricardo tells you the whole story himself." He said then started to walk away from me.
I stood there and took a minute to pull myself together before I turned around and headed back to the living room. When I got there, I stood in front of everybody again and stared right at Ricardo. I had so many things that I wanted to say to him. First, I wanted to tell him how much I missed him and how much I love him and then I want to yell at him for leaving me and never contacting me for seven years.
"R-Ricardo..." I spoke softly.
I watched as he stood up then walked up to me. He smiled softly as he stood in front of me.
"Hey, how've you been?" He asked.
I stared at him then I gritted my teeth. "How've I been? Why don't you guess? You left me remember?"
Ricardo sighed then nodded. "Right. Come with me." He said then grabbed my arm and started to pull me out of the living room and over to his bed room.
He closed the door behind us then looked at me.
"Why didn't you tell me you came back? How long have you been here?" I asked.
"For two months."
I felt my heart drop again. Not only did Ricardo not contact me for the seven years he's been away, but now i'm hearing that he didn't even tried to contact me when he came back.
I slowly nodded, trying to understand him.
"And now you're all of a sudden getting married? Who is this guy? Is he here?" I asked.
Ricardo shook his head. "His friends are throwing him his own little bachelor party today at his place."
For some reason, I felt a bit relieved to hear that his new fiancé isn't living with him right now, but I know that once they get married, they'll be living together in no time.
"Why? Why did you leave and never contacted me? I just don't get it. I thought you loved me, but I was wrong when you suddenly broke up with me after we graduated."
"I'm sorry I broke up with you, but I was forced to move away and I knew long distant relationships never work."
"We could've tried!" I shouted.
Ricardo nodded. "I know, but I was afraid of us getting mad at each other if we did try and it never worked out."
I shook my head. "You...You could've told me that instead of just breaking up with me and leaving..."
He sighed then rubbed his face.
"Landon...i'm really sorry about everything. I did love you. I cared so much about you."
I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Obviously not since you broke up with me and never called or texted me while you were away. I might as well leave. There's no reason for the mood to be tense at your 'party'." I said then started to open up the door when he stopped me.
"Please, stay. I know i'm asking a lot from you, but please stay."
I stared into Ricardo's eyes and crossed my arms.
"What are you wanting from me? Are you wanting me to attend your wedding too?"
"It'll mean a lot to me."
I sighed then looked away. "I'll think about it."
Ricardo softly smiled then nodded. "Okay. Come back out okay?" He said then left the room and closed the door behind him.
I sighed heavily as I rubbed the back of my neck then I glanced around Ricardo's room. His room is definitely different from the one i'm used to when I was in high school, but when my eyes landed on his bed, I recognized it immediately. It was the same bed where me and Ricardo made love to each other all the time. Now, I bet Ricardo is sharing the same moment with his new fiancé. The single thought started to bring me to tears, but I tried to hold them back. I can't cry now. Not at his party. I have to wait till I leave at least, but Ricardo is wanting me to stay AND attend his wedding.
How can I do all these things for him when he has done nothing for me? How does he expect me to look him in the eyes and watch him marry someone else who isn't me? I just...I don't know if I can do this. Ever since Ricardo left, it's been hard for me to get over him even though I tried so hard to move on and now all these mixed feelings are coming back.
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