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Hey everyone this Chapter was super long so I decided to split it up into 2 parts. This is the first part… obviously. This Chapter is a little rushed so please forgive me lol. I’m gonna try and release 2 Chapters a week. Still trying to find a good schedule that works so hang tight. Anyways, hope you enjoy!
~NEAL~
I felt almost nostalgic as I walked back into the lecture hall. After 4 years of working my ass off, I would finally hear whether I got the internship for Banner Labs. As I sat down in my seat I wished Taylor was here to support me and make me laugh my nervousness away… but he wasn’t. Why did he have to graduate the year before me? I thought in frustration. We haven’t talked in what felt like forever. He was so busy being a Geologist researcher at Banner Labs, God I miss our friendship.
The loud ringing of the mic awoke me from my thoughts, and I was shocked back into nervousness once again. “It’s been a long 4 years hasn’t it.” Dean Griffin said with a slight pause.
“Longer than you think.” I muttered under my breath.
“Now before you all run off to spring break, I just want to say how proud I am of not only the inductees, but each and every one of you. You have truly carried on the proud legacy that we have here at Oxford. Although I would be proud to send all of you to be part of the internship with Dr. Bruce Banner, sadly I can only send five.
These five students went above and beyond what Oxford has asked of them. They have truly shown that they want this internship more than anybody else. These 5 soon to be graduates are deserving of this opportunity because they are dedicated, smart, and driven. Which pushed them to beat 295 other students, just to obtain it.
Before I ramble on any longer, the inductees of the Banner Labs Researchers of Science Department are…” I could feel my legs shaking and my breath becoming heavier, and I knew then and there that I wanted this more than I’ve wanted anything in my entire life. “Andrew Baker, Ryan Holm, Julia Lee, Samantha Page, and Ned Raburn.”
My heart sank. Everything after that day was a depressive blur. I hardly even remembered getting off the plane and landing in L.A. for spring break. “You’ll be okay Neal, you tried your best and that’s what counts.”
I rolled my eyes as I stared out at the car window. “You don’t understand Imani, that internship was my life and whether I tried my best or not, I didn’t get it. Also you didn’t have to pick me up, I was gonna call a taxi.”
“I haven’t seen my brother since winter break, of course I would pick you up. It’s not like I live in Oxford with you.”
“Ya I guess” I muttered.
“Well, are you excited to come home?”
“We all know you’re just gonna be working the whole time, and I’m not even close with mom and dad.” I could see the hurt in my sisters eyes as I said those words. My relationship with my sister is always a sensitive subject for her “The only thing we could’ve talked about would’ve been the internship I got, and well… ya know how that turned out. This would’ve been the chance for me to finally break free from mom and dad’s financial hold. I could’ve finally started being independent.” I didn’t say it outloud, but this would’ve also been the chance for me to see Bruce again, and maybe even start something new with him. Who am I kidding, I probably mean nothing to him. I’m just the stupid kid whose pining after a guy that’s way out of his leaugue.
“You gotta stop living in the past Neal. Are you just gonna moap all spring break long?!”
“Ya pretty much.” I replied, monotone.
“Some things are just not meant to be Neal. I always believe that everything happens for a reason so get up and keep moving. I picked you up from the airport and wasted money on gas so I could see you, and I don’t get so much as a thank you Imani!”
After about 20 minutes of cold silence. I sighed and said “I’m sorry… i-its just that the internship means… meant a lot to me.” I rubbed my eyes, which still stung from crying on the plane. “Thank you for picking me up,” I said with an apologetic smile.
She sighed and said “I love you bro.”
“Love ya too sis.” After a little while of just sitting in the car and talking, my sister dropped me off at my family’s mansion in Glendale and left. My parents barely greeted me when I got home, which wasn’t unusual, but still hurt just as much. They just gave me a nod and a smile followed by a quick head jerk back to their work. The only person I was really close to in the family was my sister. And she was almost as busy as my parents, so I didn’t get to spend much time with any of them.
As I woke up the next morning, I forgot about the pain of my reality, for a few seconds. Waking up was really the only time of the day I felt truly happy… when I forgot. I sank back into my bed as I felt the agony of the recent news hit me again. I stared at the ceiling for what seemed like hours just wishing, this would stop. Sometimes I would close my eyes and imagine that it was just a bad dream, and at any moment I would wake up. I never did. I checked my phone and I realized it was already 4:00 p.m. “Wow I know how to sulk” I said to myself.
Just as I used all my energy to at least get up, I saw a FaceTime call on my phone. It was Jean, so I answered quickly. She hates when you didn’t pick up. “You look like shit.”
“You sure know how to brighten my day.” I spouted sarcastically.
“What happened to you?”
“Well it’s kind of a long story.”
“I have time.” She said, obviously interested. In the middle of me explaining the story, Jean interrupted and said “You know what we should do?”
“Get wildly drunk” I said, only slightly joking.
“Actually… yes.” she replied. I raised my eyebrows, interested, and considered my answer. Before I could reply to her offer, she interrupted and said “I’ll pick you up at 5:00!”
“Alright then.” I said as I hung up. I mopped on over to the bathroom and almost jumped when I saw myself in the mirror. “I do look like shit.” I uttered in abject horror. I splashed some water on my sunken face, which didn’t help much and brushed my teeth. I tried to style my curls but gave up half-way, not really seeing the point. People could always tell what mood I was in based on what I wore, and today was no exception.
When I got downstairs Jean was already waiting, with a very shocked look on her face. “I know I look horrible, can we just go?”
“Actually I was gonna say you look hot, in a dark, mysterious, e-boy kind of way. You’re definitely gonna get hit on where we’re going.”
“Thanks,” I said, a little embarrassed. “Wait, where are you taking me Jean?!”
“There’s this new gay club that just opened up around here, and apparently it’s amazing.”
“I thought we were just gonna chill and get drunk at your house.” I whined.
“Okay, that would just make you more depressed. I’m trying to get your mind off things.” she said, while pushing her braids out of the way.
“You know if it were anybody else I’d say no, right? I stated cautiously, with my eyebrow raised.
“Ya I know.” she said, rolling her eyes. “Now let’s go before you change your mind!”
I’ve never been to gay bar before, even though Jean has dragged me to plenty of straight bars. Ever since she’s come out as bisexual, I’m sure she has had way more experience with gay bars than I do. As I walked along the entranceway, I felt my nerves kick-in. Obviously sensing this Jean looked over at me and said “you’ll be fine” with a warm smile attached to her words.
As we made our way to the bar, a guy with a sexy beard and Thor’s hair looked at me with intentful eyes. “Is it about a guy or school?”
I looked at the shot glass he poured me, and I said “both” as I chugged down the dry and sour substance.
After about 8 or so shots, the bartender looked at me and chuckled saying “So… is this guy your boyfriend.”
“No.” I replied sadly. He smiled as if me being single was hilarious, or maybe it was relief that was written on his face. It was most likely the alcohol though. We talked for a long time. Before I knew it though, I was under the colorful strobe lights dancing with Jean. As we made our way to the center of the floor I looked around and saw more than a few lustful eyes staring me down. “Hey Jean, why is everyone staring at me.”
“Cause you look sexy, and dangerous, and dark.” she laughed drunkenly. “Wow I can’t believe my depression is acting as a wing-man.” Jean almost fell laughing. “Wait, did I just say that outloud?! I said. Jean nodded as she downed another shot. As time passed I pretty much danced the night away with guys that came on a little too strong for my liking. As much as I didn’t want to admit it though, I liked the attention. Before I knew it the dance floor mixed with the alcohol became far too much for me and I blacked out.
I woke up the next morning in my bed (thank god) and a sticky note on my forehead that read, Hey my number is 909-878-4742. Call me when you’re free. – Love, Bartender McDrinky. I looked at the name confused, then I cringed in embarrassment, remembering the drunken nickname I gave the bartender.
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