The venue was packed to the brim. Some cars were powerful enough, some seemed okay. There were a lot of people dispersed as far as the street that led to Ethan's home led dressed in different attires. Some were in shorts, others in dresses, Mr. and Miss. U.O.W had their official wears on. Some girls were in booty shorts, striped jeans, off-shoulders, and others in some weird clothing. The same was as for the men present at the event. Big, small, medium shorts, sweatpants, and jeans, official or casual wear. It was literally anyone's choice to put on what they felt like wearing that day. Some dressed fancy while others dressed like who cared? There was no dressing theme. You just weren't allowed to come naked. Even though winter was creeping in, people never seemed to give a dime. Some were inside dancing to some music and having a beer, taking pictures in groups, playing poker games by the front yard, and also running around. For today, they were just kids!
Lance parked right outside the venue but in the opposite direction. Some hired security guard of the five present at the event came to register his car details on a tablet. To ensure that every car at the venue was accounted for in the case of an untimely disaster, Ethan thought that it would be a wise move to do this. Elena got out of the car. Lance followed and everybody's attention shifted to them, (cough) to Lance. They shouted as he walked towards the wooden gate, Elena by his hand. Ethan got out of the house wondering what the cause of the sudden commotion was and that's when he saw her, and she saw him. Fresh from an oven she looked appealing for all the world to see. She was beautiful in whatever tricks of beauty she had pulled off this day. She was just perfect to him. Elena let go of Lance's hand and walked towards Ethan who had been standing by the porch. He had on a black shirt and skinny grey sweatpants. A pair of black 'Just Do IT' Nikes were on his heels. His hair was the way it had always been; a little messy– its default state and some beard had started growing all over his face. He seemed manly today.
They hugged each other for about thirteen seconds or so, embracing the warmth the other one gave off. He felt her fragrance. He didn't want to let go. This felt right. It had to be.
"Wow, you made it!" He exclaimed happily. Elena had the habit of turning him down whenever she sought fit. But not today.
"Yes. I promised you, didn't I?" She chuckled a bit.
"You look so pretty, Elena." He said his eyes locked onto hers. His height towered above hers slightly and all the noise coming inside the house seemed to never disrupt their ongoing conversation.
"This feels so good coming from you." She said with her voice breaking between her words.
"From me? Wait, he…" Ethan stuttered, and shifted his eyes to Lance. He was staring at them. He had his best friends; Mike and Myles beside him and Mike seemed to be having the preacher's daughter wrapped around his arms. How did he manage that? Some girls were all over the trio demanding attention from the class's popular student. He just didn't seem interested to give them any. His eyes were full of rage and his fist had been clenched beneath the multitude. If he were near Ethan, gods be crazy, he might have punched him. Elena directed Ethan's face back to hers. He looked at her, her soft tender lips, her dazzling dark eyes and her dark straight hair that curl at its end. He felt calm. Why the need to feel the rage? After all, she was with him and not Lance. He held her arms. Nothing felt better than this.
"Let's go in for a dance." She said as she played with his hair.
"Yeah, come on." He agreed.
They walked inside. Lance seemed to be in the past as of now. Some DJ in the backyard announced that the film of the University Memories would begin soon. People rushed to the backyard. The space was adequate to hold everyone sanely enough. People stood by the walls. Some got off their clothes and decided to watch it from the swimming pool. Some stood under the trees present while others sat on the monobloc chairs allocated to them.
The film started. It showed of their struggle to gain the right to vote for their own student leaders in the university's by-election. Which was passed by the way. It showed of the greatest football triumphs on their Husky football stadium. It also showcased their worst defeat that year. Everyone laughed at that. Mr. and Miss. U.O.W were also on the screen for some time: some cheered, some whistled. Then came Lance's ground breaking health care system; how he had managed to lift up the glory of his class. It was beautiful to be precise. The film ended after forty minutes, with more moments showcased by every passing minute of the film. It ended in tears for some and others concluded their appreciation in applause. Mixed emotions were all over the air. Lance was hailed to come at the eye of the moment to talk to his class. He couldn't deny this of course. The DJ handed him the mic. He cleared his throat and began,
"Dear citizens of the world... it's yet another time we are here together as a family. Some I do not know. Some I do. I cannot deny that you have been the best class that anyone would have envied to finish with their academic mission. We have helped each other in many ways that we can... and in every other way. We are not only a class, we are a family and I love you all."
"I love you too!" Some girl from his squad shouted. Some people laughed at the squinted voice.
"Ha...very funny Ripsah." He said. "Tonight, we are not spreading any negative vibes. My boys! Grab your girl. Grab her ass...drag her to the dance floor. Dance like King David for all I care! Drink beer, smoke all you want! Have fun! It's not a punishment! It's your night! Tell the world goodbye!" He finished and dropped the mic. Everyone screamed. The party was Ethan's but the groove was his!
"He loves what he's doing." Said Ethan who had been watching, Elena by his side. They were part of the crowd present in the backyard.
"We all do what we love after all." Answered Elena.
People dispersed to the various joints of the house thereafter. Some went to the front yard. Some were in the living room dancing to wild songs. Others were in the basement committing themselves to slow romantic music. Some remained in the backyard dancing to whatever they asked the DJ to play. Some people even opted for some karaoke. Swimming pools were a thing for some too. Lance and his trio raced back to his car. Mike still had the preacher's daughter by his side. She had on sky blue booty shorts and a dark blue blouse that exposed her cleavage and navel. She had on black boots with silver chains on them, with a loosely tied ponytail that allowed some of her long hair drop onto her shoulder. She had never dressed like so ever since she joined U.O.W! What had Mike done to this sweet girl under two weeks? He was grabbing her ass all the while and she didn't seem to care at all. In fact, she liked it. Mike stopped in his steps. She followed suit.
"Um, Shallon, could you wait here for a minute? There is some gentlemen stuff we want to talk about." He pleaded with her.
"Awe... okay. But don't stay too long babe," she whimpered. "I'll be waiting for you inside." She kissed him so deeply someone behind them cheered. They stopped immediately.
"All right! See you!" Said Mike as he spanked her ass. She giggled as she walked towards the house.
The trio was now in Lance's car. Lance himself was seating at the driver's seat with the latter on the rear ones.
"So have you figured anything out yet?" Asked Myles. "You have been telling us of how this was the day that everything was 'going down'."
"Yes, yes I have." Said Lance. He reached for the driver's deck and pulled out a piece of a transparent polythene bag. It was almost the size of a face mask. It had three contents inside.
"So how are these things going to help you achieve whatever you are trying to execute?" Asked Myles, squinting his eyes trying to catch the sight of the last item which was too small for his eyes to see with the coming nightfall. He recognized the two similar ones but had no idea of what the last item was.
"Oh, you'll see..." said Lance, with a broad wicked smile across his face.