Sam and Carryl met Gregory at a nearby diner off campus where they decided to eat dinner. Sam had complained earlier about not wanting to eat the sloppy cafeteria food. Gregory saw an opportunity to impress his boyfriend and ran with it.
Carryl rarely interacted with Gregory but when he did he acted like a Golden retriever puppy. Eager for affection, attention and aiming to please. He was always hanging around or on Sam and had intermittent bursts of energy during which he caused trouble, for the more introverted male who detested public attention.
Sam had settled for a Mexican diner that was supposedly the new it place. As soon as he stepped in he could see why it was popular. The diner has elegant Mexican decor, as if you were steeping Into a four star restaurant in Mexico. Trinkets and art pieces that boasted of Mexican heritage littered the vibrantly patterned walls of the diner.
They were led to the their table which Sam had the foresight to reserve. Truth be told Carryl was dead set against coming. He wanted nothing more than to sleep, eating had not been a priority at the time. Third wheeling was not one of his favourite past time activities. However, saying no to Sam was a feat for the strong willed and all he wanted to do was eat so he let the taller male drag him to his date.
The waitress brought them their menu asking if they were ready to order. Gregory said he had heard raving reviews about their pasta and smoked pork ribs, which is what they decided to go with. Carryl ordered for a bottle of gin and tonic unwilling to remain sober for much longer in the lovers company. Gregory's hand was a permanent fixture around Sam's shoulder. His giggles in response to whatever it was Gregory was saying joined in harmony with the chatter in the diner.
Carryl was on his second glass by the time the food was arriving. The gin spread like molten lava in his blood, adding false cheer and courage. His annoyance lifted as a filter of 'I don't give a shit about what anyone else is doing' buzzed through his brain.
The food was phenomenal. Nobody spoke aside from the moans as explosions of flavor occurred in their mouths. The huge platter of smoked ribs accompanied by a huge helping of extra cheezy pasta was all gone in under twenty minutes and with Sam's and Gregory's help so was the gin. They left the diner after paying for their meals and with Gregory's urging headed for the nearest night club.
Carryl had stopped going to parties as soon as he finished high school. With an absent mother and an abusive father, he got out of his home town the very first chance he got. He had no reason to stay. His father would never pay for his university tuition, hell, he had been forced to pay his senior year's tuition fees. So the moment he got his diploma he hightailed it out of there not sparing anyone a second thought. After that he had been too busy to indulge in worldly pleasure. The one time he tried it, he was left with a concussion and two partners.
Gregory was friends with the bouncer who let them all in, allowing them to cut infront of the intimidating line stretching outside. The stuffy, alcohol infused, vibrating atmosphere welcomed them in a rhythmic embrace which they were more than happy to accept heading for the dance floor. Carryl left to get them drinks while Sam and Gregory began grinding on each other on the floor.
The bartenders station was crowded as drunk people ordered more alcohol. It took a couple of minutes before he was able to get the bartenders attention. Not wanting to come back and stagger along with the rest he ordered for two bottles of whisky. He paid for it using the card Park had given him and went in search of an empty table. He was on the verge of giving up before a group decided to leave. He set the drinks on the table and the waitress who had been helping him locate a table, set down the glasses and ice cubes before disappearing into the crowd.
He finally managed to make eye contact with Gregory who was a head taller than everyone else on the floor. Gregory dragged Sam with him to the table unwilling to leave his partner on the dance floor. They joined Carryl who had already downed five shots of whiskey. As soon as their ass touched the couch he was on his feet to the dance floor. It took the whole of two minutes before Carryl got a dance partner a drunk lady who had her eyes set on the cute boy on the floor. He danced with her giving himself over to the loud music reverberating in his soul.
He swayed his body to the music not stopping even when his dance partner bolted towards the bathroom, probably to puke. Another minute or less and he felt arms going around his waist. Had he been sober he would have been breathing hellfire. His drunk self however did not care who was holding him as long as they were dancing in synchrony. Sam appeared in front of him disapproval etched on his face. He glared at the person behind him forcing Carryl to acknowledge their presence. It was a very gorgeous man who man holding on to his waist. He would have continued dancing if Sam didn't drag him back their table.
The first whiskey had long since disappeared and they were already on the second bottle.
He plopped onto the seat his body tired yet ablaze. With the booming music, conversations were held only when absolutely necessary. Gregory was staring blankly in a distance while Sam lay his head on Carryl's shoulder dozing off.He poured himself another shot before clinking glasses with George after refilling his drink for him. They took three more shots each.
He still wanted to dance, wanted to feel sweat dripping down his body. Wanted to hold and be held. He had always been a party animal his alcohol tolerance the stuff of legends. So after carefully laying Sam on the chair and covering him with his Jacket he went to the floor again.
He danced with different people only taking breaks for shots and heading back to the floor. At one point Gregory joined him and they danced and drunk together until the wee hours of the morning.
They stumbled out of the club at around 4 am with Sam being the sober one after passing out for more than three hours. Sam and Carryl supported or more accurately dragged Gregory between them hailing a cab back to the hostel. It was around five am when they finally got to the hostel. Carryl was out first followed by Gregory who leaned his entire weight on him causing him to stumble back while still his onto him.
"Carryl!"
His name rang across the empty lot. He whipped his head toward the voice staggering a few steps back as he struggled to hold up Gregory and nurse his shock. Eli looked at the goddess of fury as she took In the scene in front of her. Carryl was not too drunk to know how bad the situation must have looked out of context. Sam finally found whatever it was he had been searching for and got out of the cab, which wasted not time peeling out leaving Carryl unprotected from Eli's anger and misunderstanding. Gregory decided to sober up enough to realise that Carryl was not Sam.
"BABY?" He shouted and added with a much softer tone "Where is my baby?"
Eli took long and purposeful strides towards him. Each step causing more and more blood to drain from his alcohol flushed face. Sam finally noticing Carryl's gaze turned towards the approaching Eli. He too must have seen the murder in her eyes. He pulled Gregory from Carryl stumbling back as he adjusted to the weight of the.much larger male. He half supported ,half dragged Gregory away from the in coming storm.
"Who the hell is that!" Eli asked as soon as he was within an earshot.
"My roommate and his boyfriend ."
"Where have you been, we have been calling you non stop since last night."
"I went for dinner and then to the club with them" he gestured towards the two disappearing figures.
"Why didn't you tell us. I was worried and couldn't even sleep, thinking you had ran away or something."
"Why would I ran away from you...you two are my only family."
He knew it had to be the alcohol that helped him say such things out loud. Nonetheless, he meant every word of it. Park and Eli had shown him more kindness than even his own parents had. They were more a family to him than anyone else at that point. Eli's anger deflated as she took in her drunk Teddy bear.
" Let's get you showered and in bed."
"I can't sleep, I have class in like three hours or less."
"Yeah that's not going to happen today."