[19] Is that a Yes?

"THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE FLOWERS! THEY WERE LOVELY!" Felice screamed at my face when I picked her up for a party one Saturday night.

"Relax, we don't have the loud music yet and you're already shouting." I laughed.

"I can't help it. I'm so excited. Can you believe the first semester's over? It almost felt like it was just the first few days." She smiled while I drove to Club 314.

"It's good that you're excited, you helped organize this party, and you deserve a night out. What is it for again?" I pretended not to know.

"It's for the Mental Hospital! Crazy, how could you forget? I've been talking about it over and over again. Students from different colleges are going to be here to party for a cause!" She said as her smile brightened up her whole face.

It's been a while, and all the bad blood between us has been shut tightly in a forgotten locker. Justin was pushed to the sidelines as I always waited outside her classroom whenever I had the chance. I spent the breaks with her and her blockmates. It was a relief to actually talk to some people who had more to say than lust, sex, and parties.

"I can't believe you said yes to your organization. It was a tough job to call in some sponsors." I said with awe.

A party this big—and at Club 314 too—is too much hard work to put together. Trust me, I know.

"Of course I said yes. Haven't you watched yes man?" She laughed.

Wonderful movie, but a dangerous example to follow. I mean, saying yes to everything? Even if you really want to say no?

"Oh, so if I asked you something now, would you say yes to me?" I pushed. Of course, I knew where this was heading.

"Partially. I mean I wouldn't say yes to anything that is almost completely absurd." She said distractedly.

Well, then. Let's make this official.

"Would you be my girlfriend?" I smiled as I took a sharp curve on the street

"Uh..." She stammered. It was not as if this was the first time she heard this from me. I've been asking this a lot of times already since I was officially courting her, but I still haven't received any answer, much to my dismay.

I'm already thinking that my skills were wearing off.

"Well?"

And there was silence.

I carefully parked my car in a slot a few steps away from the entrance door of the club and turned off the engine as I waited for an answer.

"I gave it a lot of thought, Tony. I'm not..." She looked at me and gave out a deep breath.

With this, I held my breath for her answer. I guess I'm really not used to being turned down.

"I'm not going to say this just because I'm saying yes to every opportunity that's not almost completely absurd. I'm not going to say yes because of watching yes man. But I'm..." She looked away suddenly shy.

"You're saying yes because you like me." I continued for her with a lopsided grin. I smiled a huge smile as I took her hand.

She giggled and said, "You're going to be my first boyfriend. Yuck." She laughed and went out of the car. I shook my head and went out too, locked the car and went with her to the party.

The music was very loud and explosive. Some people were already dancing on the dance floor and some were already intoxicated. I guided Felice through the crowd and towards the counter to get a few drinks first. I had some spiked punch and gave her a glass of four seasons as we walked towards the people we knew.

There was even a small buffet for people who want to eat or for people to eat when they drink to avoid vomiting drunkards. The drinks were flowing wildly and everything was just noisy. I was just having a great time.

"Don't you have asthma?" I heard someone from behind me say.

"No, I don't." I quickly answered and turned around to see that the guy wasn't talking to me.

"I do, but I'm fine." Felice smiled at the man who looked quite troubled. I didn't recognize him instantly, but as the haze cleared, I could see that he was Justin.

"Smoker's area was placed on the right side, but they travel. Smoke travels." He smiled and squinted at the moving bright colored lights. "Hey." He said to me with a nod and I acknowledged him. Some guys were calling him from a far end table so he gave us a curt nod and left.

"I just talked to Melissa!" Felice was screaming. "She said I did a good job!" She seriously did. She pulled off an open party even as she had no experience in attending one.

"I think you did a GREAT job!" I yelled back as I squinted at the moving spotlight. We moved towards a vacant table on the left as I took a beer from her friends. I spied the colored drink in her hand, that wasn't the four seasons I gave her earlier. "What are you drinking?"

"Grapefruit juice!" She laughed. "I don't want to get drunk! You are not supposed to get drunk, either! You're driving me home!"

"I don't get drunk easily, sweetheart." I said as I took a shot of tequila from a server. "Dance with me?" She nodded and we went to the dance floor.

It was tight and hot there. The lights were everywhere and everything just seemed a little dazed. I kept Felice in front of me as a few of her block mates joined us. "Are you sure your juice was not spiked?" I asked as I noticed her cheeksflush a deep red.

She nodded and twirled her arms around my neck as the lights scattered all over her face. I was enjoying myself just before I eyed Trish and the others entering the premises. I couldn't see if Karen was here too. Open parties meant guests from other schools were present as well, I can't say that I'm thrilled about that one.

Instinctively, I pulled Felice gently towards the dark end of the busy circle and twirled her about. She was laughing uncontrollably and so I sat her down a bit.

"Felice, look at me," I told her.

"Hmm?" She was looking around while she was seated and took a tissue from the stand to dry off some sweat buds on her forehead. I took out my handkerchief and gave it to her. "Thanks, dear." She laughed.

"Felice..." I was beginning to think that she was already drunk. I called one of her block mates to ask if they gave her any spiked drink, but they said they didn't. "Hey, hey..." I sat beside her as she started to stand up again.

"But I like this song Tony!" She hooted. "Come on, sourpuss."

"Felice, LOOK AT ME!" I shouted as the music got louder. And she did, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were dilated, oh yes she's drunk alright. "What have you been drinking?"

"I was drinking juice..." Her eyes wandered endlessly as her words garbled. I tried to follow where she was looking. Then I saw the punch bowl where I took my spiked drink earlier this evening.

"Did you get your drink there?" I pointed it to her and she nodded happily.

"It tasted so good! I'll get you one." She stood up and started walking away. I pulled her hand towards me and she ricocheted back to my chest with a loud thump. "Wow, I had no idea you worked out."

"Okay, that's it. I have to take you home."