Page 14 of The Masks We Wear
[JUNE, SENIOR YEAR]
The weather is perfect for a graduation party on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Of course, it’s not my party, but as a new recipient of an undergraduate degree, I get to partake in the festivities. My friend from the dance internship just graduated, and his hunky boyfriend’s family is loaded—hence the inner courtyard party. Their whole crew of queer artists and athletes are gathered here, making for a picture-perfect day. They even invited some surprisingly attractive faculty members, complete with a little kid in tow, playing party games with them. I don’t know any of these people, but it’s awesome seeing such a vibrant, supportive, queer-friendly community.
My friend Dane finishes slow-dancing with his blond boyfriend and immediately makes a beeline for me. He pulls me to their inner living room, and I cringe, knowing what’s to come. Five minutes ago, I left him a morsel of relationship drama, and as besties, he’s demanding I pay up the rest—in gay culture, gossip is a valued currency.
He sits me down at a fancy couch with a window view of the inner courtyard, and no one’s around. “Okay, okay,” Dane says. Rubbing his hands together, his eyebrows bounce. “Now spill.”
“Spill what?” I ask coyly. I sip my soda and look away.
Dane makes an exasperated sound. “Jung. Youjust nowimplied that you’re dating someone.”
I gently shake the drink in my hand and fixate on the fizzy liquid. “That…I did.”
“So what’s up? I thought you were single.”
I sigh and scratch my eyebrow. “I am…I certainly don’t have a boyfriend, but…”
Dane looks at me with inquisitive eyes and my shoulders slump. I then proceed to tell him the truncated version of all of my events with Superhero, starting with last Halloween. The entire time I gush, Dane doesn’t say a word. Several months ago, our roles were reversed, and I’m glad to be able to call Dane a confidante and a friend.
“…and now we’re graduated. The end.” I sip my drink and look off in the distance.
“That’s it?” Dane asks.
“That’s it. Our story is over.”
“No, no it’s not.” Dane abruptly stands up and I nearly fall back in shock.
“What?”
“Jung, this guy Jamal likes you. Come on, you don’t need vision in both eyes to see that.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because he found you so many times. He gave you a friggin’ toy ring! He Cinderella’d you, and you have the glass slipper?”
“Wait, am I Cinderella in this metaphor?”
“Come on Jung.” He reaches out his hand. “Get up.”
“Why?”
“You’re going to march over to his place and tell him your heart’s all strung up in that Southern boy.”
“But…but I can’t…”
“Why not?” Dane asks, impatiently.
“It’s not fair for either of us to pursue something!” I sigh and look away. “We’re headed in different directions.”
“Maybe. Or maybe fate will lead you back together, I don’t know. But your ass is going to regret it for years to come if you don’t go to his place and at least tell him how you feel.”
I bite my lip and avoid his gaze. “I still don’t know…”
“Jung, you once said I shot myself in the foot with my relationship, and you were right. Dude, you’re doing the same!” He motions with his hand to me on the couch. “Now get up. You’re leaving to find your true love.”
I snicker but take his hand, and he helps me up. “Now let’s not get carried away here. Love? I mean he’s…”
“He’s a guy you have a deep connection with. A newer connection, but a bond nonetheless. Have you felt anything like that with anyone?”
