21

Ethan and his gang entered the club along with Arthur tagged behind them. The car ride was quite good. Arthur made friends with Jake and Ethan’s friends, Jared and Kole. And Arthur felt like he could get along with the boys very well. On the day of arrival, he has already made few friends and going to the club with them. It was a pretty big deal for him as he had always been a model child and never did things like this. And he wondered what his college days have held in store for him.

The club was pretty crowded and all kinds of people were found in the club. The boys and girls gangs, the dancers, the drunkards, and lonely single guys in the corners. It was a no different world to Ethan or his friends. They were used to this environment. But it was very much a different world to Arthur. He had never been to a club before. His friends from his previous college were far from party people. It was more like he was never allowed to get close to these kinds of people or makes friends of his own, for that matter. Everything in life was pretty controlled by his father.

Arthur was practically hiding behind everyone. When Ethan noticed Arthur, he pulled him closer to him. Arthur was startled at first but calmed down when he realized it was Ethan who had pulled him.

“Boys, let’s order drinks first,” Jake said and the other agreed to it.

Jared found an empty table for them and everyone got seated. It was a round table and Jared sat on one side and to the opposite of it, Ethan and next to him was Arthur.

Jake and Kole came back after placing the order and directing the waiter to their table.

Jake sat next to Arthur and said, “I have ordered a beer for you.” Arthur nodded his head. He was aware that beer was the first and most alcohol beverage anyone tastes.

“So, how are you finding the college? Did you tour the campus?” Kole asked Arthur.

Arthur shook his head, “Not yet. I just arrived today morning.”

“Why did change college in the second year?” this time, it was Jared who asked the question. It was natural for old students to enquire stuff from the new student, regardless of being in school or college or even work place.

“Something came up,” Arthur replied. It was nothing serious, his father just decided to keep his son away from a business rival’s son.

The boys continued to send arrows of questions and Arthur answered them as polite as possible. All along, Ethan simply sat there and listened to boys’ talk. He was getting to know Arthur without talking much.

Soon, the drinks arrived and the boys began chugging them down.

Arthur was being hesitant about taking the first sip. He felt Ethan’s hand on the shoulder, “What are you thinking? Don’t you want to drink it?”

“It is not like that. I was just thinking…”

“About what?”

Arthur simply shook his head and grabbed the drink. Ethan encouraged him to try once and see if he likes to continue to drink it or not and not to force himself into anything he does not like. Arthur was pretty convinced by Ethan’s comforting words. He felt good about listening to those words.

Arthur held the glass in his hand and brought it to his mouth. His first sip of alcohol. It was bitter but he was fine with just that.

He turned to the boys, they were expecting his reaction. Arthur broke out into a small laugh making the others laugh.

“You all are staring at me like I’m a meat,” Arthur said.

‘A fresh one’ Arthur heard Ethan whispering right below his ears.

“We are just wondering how much more we can spoil you,” Jared said.

Arthur chuckled awkwardly. He did not know how to react to both the words he had heard.

“Haha.. yes... I hope you can spoil me a little,” Arthur said softly.

The boys continued to drink and later jumped onto the dance floor. But Arthur and Ethan had stayed back at their table.

“Won’t you dance?” Arthur asked Ethan who was busy on his phone.

Ethan locked his phone and turned to Arthur, “No. Do you want to dance?”

“Not really.”

“So? Should we talk about what we felt earlier when we hugged,” Ethan asked.

Arthur nodded his head, “Yeah. Maybe we should.”

“Listen, I am Gay,” Ethan declared his sexuality again to Arthur.

“I have never been in a relationship and I don’t really know what I am. I have felt intimidated by men before but you feel different.”

Ethan nodded his head in understanding. He was just glad that Arthur was being truthful than deceiving him.

“Don’t worry. You can discover things here. I am here for you. The boys are here. We will be your friends.”

Arthur smiled at Ethan’s words. His heart swelled at Ethan’s words. He had never heard such heart warming words from anyone except from his mother.

“I am glad that I met Jake, You, and the boys. I already like you all,” Arthur said what he really felt.

Ethan took Arthur’s hand and walked to the dance floor and began to dance. Arthur knew very well that the coming years of his college would be a great experience and he would absolutely love it. He just could not wait until he begins to discover things about himself, as Ethan said.