Running in Circles

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"Hey, Alex!"

"Rob! Glad you could make it!"

"Yeah, me too. Where's the booze?"

Rob wasn't glad that he "made it." If anything, he'd much rather be at the cinema or at a nice coffee shop without the so-called yuppies of his generation. He sighed.

He'd rather be with Dana.

But for some reason, he couldn't contact her, as if her mobile phone and land line decided that he wasn't good enough for her to talk to and had taken matters into their own hands. He didn't want to just show up at her house like some love sick puppy. He just wanted to talk to her. He sighed and made his way through the crowd. He managed a weak smile when he reached the table with drinks.

"When in Rome." he uttered under his breath.

He was about to pour some Sprite on his glass already with vodka when he felt a hand tap his shoulder. Rob turned around and was greeted by a tipsy but friendly voice.

"Hey, you're Rob, right? Alex's friend? I'm Jenny. Glad you made it." the girl said as she bussed his cheek with her lips.

"Yeah, I figured it was better than watching CSI tonight." he said with a weak smile before adding, "Great party. Nice to meet you, Jen."

She playfully pinched Rob's arm and laughed. "It's Jenny, not Jen!"

"Sorry, Jenny. The music's a bit loud." he said while pointing to his ear.

"No prob! It's funny that you mentioned CSI. A friend of mine was supp.."

"Jenny, I've been looking all over for you! I see you've met my main man over here." Alex appeared out of nowhere and put his arm on Rob's shoulder while slipping his other arm around Jenny's waist.

"This guy is the best!" his housemate almost shouted.

"Shit, man, you gotta watch the alcohol. I am not carrying you home." Rob joked as he slowly eased himself away from Alex's arm.

"I'm good, man! I'm good" Alex said happily before turning to Jenny. "Where's your friend?"

"She just went to the bathroom. Like I was saying before Alex rudely interrupted us, Rob, my friend was also.."

Jenny stopped as she turned to Rob. He was nowhere to be found.

"You know, Alex, your friend's cute. A bit weird but cute."

**********

Dana was at the terrace. She sipped her San Mig Light and took a puff of her cigarette. As she exhaled the smoke, she noticed that the filter of her Winston Lights no longer had her lipstick mark.

"Whoop-dee-doo." she said. "At least something went right tonight."

Of all the parties, Rob had to be in this one. She had gone through all the trouble of changing her mobile number and rendering her apartment phone useless just so he won't be able to reach her. And to make things worse, he turns out to be friends with one of her college friend's gimmick buddies.

Dana shook her head. This was getting more confusing by the minute, she thought. She took another puff and blew out the smoke. As she raised the beer bottle to take a sip, she felt someone grab her arm. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Dana!"

It was Jenny.

"Girl, where the hell have you been?" Jenny asked as she took the stick from Dana's hand.

She watched her friend take a drag before answering, "Just here. It just feels more comfortable here. Less people"

Less chances of bumping into Rob, she added in her head.

"Rob looks cute!" her friend said, interrupting her thoughts.

"What did you say?" Dana asked, a little louder than she intended.

"Ahh, you never listen! Hahaha! I said I met Alex's friend, Rob. He seems a little quiet but he's cute." Jenny replied while scanning the crowd.

"That's nice." Dana said, feeling cold all of a sudden.

"Ooh, there he is! Right beside Alex by the stairs!"

There he was, indeed, talking with Alex. He seemed uninterested in what his friend was saying to him. Jenny was right, he looked cute tonight. Rob was wearing a black polo shirt and jeans. From this distance, she could see that he hasn't shaved yet. Dana remembered the feel of his stubble as Rob glided his face over her body. And his lips. And his soft hands.

His touch.

I can't do this, she thought. "Listen, Jenny, this Cinderella isn't waiting for midnight. I don't feel too good. I'll take a cab home, if that's okay with you."

Her friend frowned for a moment then sighed. "It's okay, dear. I can go with you, if you want."

"Nah, I'll be fine. I probably just feel overwhelmed by all the people." Dana answered. Actually, I just feel overwhelmed by one person, she added in her head.

"I understand, sweetie. Please take care. Just lie down when you get home. I love you, okay?" Jenny hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.

"Love you too, Jen!"

"Jenny, not Jen! Jeez, second time tonight! Hahaha!"

"Hahaha! Bye, JENNY!" Dana called back as she made her way to the exit, careful not to be seen by the person she was avoiding.

**********

In another part of the house, Rob was busy explaining to Alex why he had to go.

"I'm not sure if I locked the door on the way out, man. I'll just leave for a while then come back." he said with no intention of coming back.

"Shit, you're not coming back!"

"I am, dude. I was just remembered that you left your Macbook on the dining table. That would probably be the first thing the thieves will get."

"Fine! Why the hell didn't you check the door anyway? Call me as soon as you get home!" a visibly bothered Alex said.

"I'm sorry, man. I'll call you. Scout's honor."

Sucker. Truth is, Rob knew he had locked the door. He just wanted to leave. All these strangers, all these plastic smiles. This just wasn't his thing. He took a final gulp of his Vodka Sprite, his third of the night, and walked to the main door.

Dana couldn't wait to leave. On the way out, she could hear everyone talking and shooting the breeze, making her feel more alone.

"Have you tried the steakhouse in Solaire?"

"Man of Steel sucked big time, man!"

"That girl has huge tits, dude. I'm going for it!"

"Girl, I just love your top!"

"No, dude, it's MMDA's fault!"

"Dana?"