There are only two categories of good parties: frat parties and every other college party. So far, I've been invited to several of both, but I've managed to attend neither.
Unlike the rest of my friends, I'm not really a huge fan of the party scene.
We finished our midterms last week and to celebrate, Jesse is hosting a party for whoever wants to come and even though I don't want to, I know I have to.
Thea was meant to come over to my dorm room so that we can prepare and go to Jesse's on campus apartment together for the party but she called me last minute to say she couldn't make it earlier anymore but she'd meet me there. I sighed. My plan was to accompany Thea to the party, hang around for a few minutes and then go over to faculty to check up on some lab specimen I had kept cultured for twenty-four hours.
But now, she's not coming and well, I still have to go.
When I get to Jesse's apartment, it seems awfully quiet for a party but I just conclude that maybe I'm just the early one.
There's nobody but Jesse when I walk through the front door and I begin to think that maybe, there was never actually a party.
Jesse greets me with a kiss on my forehead, nose and then my lips. "Hey, babe" he says softly and I'm entirely convinced that I've been set up.
"There was never a party, was there?" I say quietly and he shakes his head with an excited chuckle.
"I actually have a surprise for you" he says. "Everyone was in on it"
"That's cute," I smile. "Is it a huge surprise? I'm sorry but I have to be at the lab before 8. I wasn't planning on staying too long at the party"
"It's okay" he checks his watch. "So I have half an hour" he nods in a so-so motion. "I'll take it"
Jesse leads me to the balcony where a candle-lit dinner has been set.
"Surprise" he says
I chuckle lightly. "You didn't have to. What's the occasion?"
"Check your dates, babe, today's the 20th"
I'm lost for a second before my eyes widen in realisation. "Fuck, I totally forgot. Today's our one year anniversary"
I look up at Jesse, guilt and remorse written all over my face. "I'm so sorry I forgot; and I didn't do anything special. I feel so bad right now"
"Hey, it's okay" he pulls me in and kisses my forehead. "What matters is that we're spending it together"
"I love you so much. I honestly do not deserve you"
"Stands to be debated. And I love you too" he pulls away from me and checks his watch.
"Now we need to get a move on this. We have 28 minutes left and I still have to have dinner with you, give you your present and then of course, the after-party"
He takes me by the hand and leads me to the table, chivalry style. He drags out my chair for me and I settle down before he goes over to the other side and settles down himself.
"Waiter, please" he beckons and Calum appears from apparently nowhere dressed like a waiter, with a notepad in hand.
"So what would you guys like to have?" He asks with a wide smile.
"Um, there's only one thing on the menu so I guess I'll just have that" Jesse says, looking down at the 'menu'.
"Ah, good choice" Calum pretends to pen something down then turns to me. "And for the lady?"
I chuckle and roll my eyes. "The lady will have the same but with extra cheese"
"Do you see extra cheese on the menu?" Calum asks
"Uh, no-"
"Then you can't order it!" He snaps and I flinch a little.
Calum smiles, returning to amiable waiter. "Your food will be out shortly" he walks away.
I turn to Jesse. "This place gets a one star review from me"
Jesse laughs then checks his watch. "I mean, if they bring our food on time, then maybe I can bump it up to two stars"
I feel bad that I'm rushing my surprise anniversary dinner- especially given the fact that I didn't give him anything- but the culture staying for longer than 24 hours can affect the results and I'm not willing to repeat the whole process.
"I'm really sorry; about forgetting, about nott being able to stay here long"
"Again, it's fine, really" he reaches for my hand on the table and gives it a little squeeze. "But while we're waiting, I might as well give you your present"
He reaches into his pocket and brings out a small box. "Uh, I picked it out myself. I hope you like it" he pushes the box over with a nervous smile.
"I already know I'm going to love it" I say, picking up the box. On opening it, I see a small gold necklace with a small diamond pendant above which is written the words 'modicum lupus'.
"This is beautiful" I gasp, my fingers lightly tracing the details. "I love it. I love it so much"
"I'm glad you do" Jesse's nervousness fades away.
"What does this mean?" I ask, referring to the inscription. "It's latin, right?"
"Yeah. It means 'little wolf'. I thought of it after the other day we were studying and Calum was teasing you-"
"You teased me too if I remember correctly" I cut in.
Jesse continues as though I had never cut him off. "-and then I thought to myself how you really do possess some of the best qualities of wolves: you're courageous, a go-getter, yet you're graceful and, following the pictures in my history of werewolves textbook, smoking hot"
I laugh and roll my eyes.
"But you're not a dirty creature like those werewolves; you're still beautiful, smart and uptight Eloise. My Eloise. My little wolf"
Jesse maintains eye contact with me throughout this last part of his speech and the sincerity in his eyes makes me melt.
My eyes get glossy. "I love you, Jesse Nicolas Jether"
Jesse picks up both my hands and kisses them individually. "I love you too, Eloise Jaimee Puvalo"
As if on cue, Calum comes back with our food, places them in front of us and bows out without saying a word.
"I think I can give another star on my review for the waiter's new found silence" I joke and Jesse chuckles then checks his watch. "We've got approximately fifteen more minutes. I say eat in ten and dance in five?" He corks an eyebrow.
"Look at you, learning how to manage your time efficiently" I smirk a little.
"Hey, learnt from the best" he winks at me then picks up his fork and dives staright into his lasagna.
I do the same. "Calum cooked?"
"Oh God, no. This is takeout, all Calum did was microwave it"
I nod and we continue our dinner mostly in silence, making small talk every now and then. When we're both done with our meals, Jesse takes me by the hand and guides me to the center of the balcony. There is no music playing but he twirls me anyways.
"I'm sorry today didn't work out as well as you planned" I say as Jesse's arms find my waist.
"Are you kidding me? Tonight was perfect. I had you, the full moon and stars above us, good enough food. What more could I ask for, really?"
I smile.
Jesse corks his head. "Even though the guys and I had this choreography planned and Thea was going to come over and capture this exact moment at 10.23pm"
"10.23pm- that was the exact time I agreed to be your girlfriend"
My boyfriend grins lopsidedly. "Best minute of my life"
I share a similar grin. "Best decision of my life"
I rest my head on his chest as we continue to sway to nothingness until Jesse checks the time and gently pulls away from me.
"Our time is up" his voice is bittersweet. "You have to go now if you're going to make it to the lab in time"
"What if I don't want to go anymore?" I pout. I miss his warmth.
He kisses my forehead. "Nah, you have to. I know it's a really important assignment for your molecular biology course"
I groan. I know I have to; but honestly, I don't want to.
"Alright, come on now. Time to get going" he says and I nod begrudgingly.
"We still have a lot of time ahead of us to make more memories" he says and suddenly, an idea come to my head.
To make up for this night, I could create memories. At least, that's a good start.
"Let's still capture the moment at 10.23. I should be done with what I have to do by then" I say in a rushed chatter.
"Hmm, I don't know if it'll still be possible"
"It will be possible"
Jesse bites his lip. "Okay, we can have the shoot if you're done by then-"
"I will be done by then" I cut in exasperatedly.
Jesse's excitement is levelled. "Okay then" he checks his watch. "Now get a move on already"
"Okay, okay" I give him one last peck on his lips before leaving.
It's only when I'm away from the scenery that the magic leaves and it comes to mind just how important it really is that I'm at the lab soon. I start speed walking the distance from Jesse's apartment to faculty- five minutes on normal speed, three minutes on 'there's no time to redo this assignment' speed. I make my way to the biology lab when I get to the faculty building. It's on the third floor but the elevator's out of service so I have to use the stairs, taking it two at a time. By the time I finally get to the lab, I only have one minute before the 24 hour mark is up. I quickly put on my gloves and try to calm myself down as I wait in front of the incubator.
I take out my petri dish right on time and first take a picture of it on my phone before placing the petri dish on the counter. I begin my work.