"This is my school, my high society!"
This sounds bad to say, but my family is a bit rich. Not like, buy a yacht and have art showings on it rich, but just a little rich. Since I live in a big city where social status is super important, we are in this ass-hat club that hosts “high society events” every so often. The other night was the annual Christmas party/ debutant ball. I am in line to be a debutant in a couple years, but for now I’m just considered an honored attendee. Anyway, so I had to put on the floor length black custom dress, the heels, the white opera gloves, and the hair. Dare I say I looked fabulous! (Best thing about being a formal model: I have some amazing ball gowns!)
I was hoping just to keep my head down all night, but unfortunately the night started on a weird note. I got stuck in the elevator with this really hot guy who bought me like four rounds when I went to visit Chris at MIZZOU, but Chris punched him for trying to “get with his little sister.” We pretended not to know each other, but it was still super weird. Then came the ball. I was just kind of drifting, making my little polite rounds. Suddenly I got stuck behind this clump of girls who were all giggling and taking turns stepping up to whoever was on the other side. I walked all the way around the room to see what was behind the girls. To my dismay it was just one of the singing groups that are hired every year to walk around and entertain. But what was making them so popular? Two of them turned around and I ran over excitedly. They were all kids from the theatre studio I used to work with! Mary and Seth greeted me awkwardly with a handshake, unsure if they were allowed to hug me since they were technically “below me” in the social status of the event. I shot all the formalities to hell and hugged both of them chatting without my usual air of dignity and formality. I could still see more girls amassing in front of the group. Suddenly a guy pushed his way out of the group of swooning rich girls, completely disheveled looking. It took me a moment to catch my breath. It was Matty wearing a tux, white gloves, and his bobbly hair brushed back. He looked a little relieved when he saw me. Mary and Seth were still telling me the gossip of the studio when Matty stumbled over to hug me, a trail of girls following. He linked our arms together, walked a little, and whispered in my ear, “Hey I’m on break, but these girls keep coming up to me. I don’t even know most of them. It’s weird to think of you going to these events, but I’m actually glad to see you. Just stand with me for a while. I need a break.” I laughed. Matty prided himself in being a charmer, but this seemed to be too much for him. “Sure thing kiddo,” I started, “I can see being your level of popular must be such hard work.” He faked a laughed, pretending to be offended by my comment. His plan to act so close seemed to be working, because some of the girls were clearing out.
Seth and Mary walked over and dragged Matty away announcing, “Back to work, Mr. Popular.” I ran to my seat as the lights dimmed starting the presentation of the debutants. It was awkward being alone this year. Usually I was with friends, but since my rank was boosted, I had to sit with strangers this year. A boy sat down next to me. We didn’t greet each other until I accidently caught his eye. My face lit up when he said his name. This young man was actually a pretty well-known "local" designer and photographer. I told him that I was scouted by his agency once, but had to sign with another studio instead. He looked me over with a smile and said, “Damn, we know how to pick em.” I laughed flattered. The rest of the night passed uneventfully. After, I went to dinner with my brother and his girlfriend who picked me up around midnight. We went to iHop. I looked ridiculous… Around one in the morning my phone buzzed:
Matty: “Hey, I just wanted to say I’m glad we’re such good friends.”
That was such a weird, uncharacteristic thing for him to say. I mean good friends? Doesn’t he know I bitch about him 90% of the time? But if he says we are.. whatever.
Matty: “Wow. Way to make that awkward. I was just saying..”
Me: “Let’s face it, we’re always awkward with each other.”
Thus started a 24 hour-long texting chain about anything and everything. It was nice to know Matty thought we were close again, even if I was skeptical. It was even nicer that he was willing to admit our friendship. Once he made a comment about me being second-rate compared to all other girls he knew. I was really mad, so this made me feel a lot better about how he ranked me as far as his girl friends go.
