The audience erupts in cheers during the graduates tossing their caps in the air in a celebration of finally graduating. The band begins to drown out the cheering and parents running up to their adult children hugging them. 

"And there he goes, the guy who made me realize my attraction towards guys and not girls," my voice whispers watching Chase Wilkerson leave with his parents. If only he knew how much my heart is hurting knowing I will never see his handsome face again. Chances are that he will forever be in the closet out of fear of his parents never accepting his true inner self and completely cutting him off from the family fortune.

And chances are I will be in the same closet always wanting to make my parents proud and never wanting to rock the boat. I already know what the topic will be during my graduation dinner, girls, mainly a certain particular girl. Gwendolyn Wallace. She is all guys dream girl, well, just about all guys. no doubt, every straight guys dream girl.

Gwen is tall, slender, dark hair, big beautiful brown eyes and a beautiful smile. She also, like myself, just graduated with honors. My parents along with her parents insist we follow in their footsteps. They also insist we're a perfect match for each other. If they only knew the real me. 

The knot in my stomach seems to grow when I hear how perfect Gwen is for me. In a perfect world I would be able to live my truth, to be open and transparent about who I really am. Sadly, there is no such thing as a perfect world. It tends to be filled with hate, disappointment and judgmental people. My parents have got to be the biggest, judgmental people on earth.

"Arden, there you are. Your mother and I have been looking everywhere for you. Come, we're taking you out to eat at your favorite restaurant," my father commands pulling me out of my silent self-pity party. Once we make our way to the waiting black Cadillac, I see an all too familiar face peeking out the window from the back seat.

"Um dad, why is Gwendolyn in the back seat?" I questioned him.

"Oh, me and your mother insisted she joins us so we can talk about the benefits of you two being a perfect match for each other," his words causes a lump to grow in my throat. 

"What, dad? We literally just graduated from college. We haven't even landed a job yet."

"Relax, son. Are you forgetting who your parents are? I can guarantee you will have a job within a month, so will Gwendolyn," he insists placing his hand on my shoulder.

"Oh my God," I whisper climbing in next to Gwen."

"I promise this wasn't my idea, Arden," she assures me."

"No, Gwen, I know it wasn't. I'm sorry my parents basically forced you to come with us," I say running my fingers through my hair. She smiles softly placing her hand on mine.

"You think we can look at this as two old friends just going out to a nice dinner together?" 

"Sure, I think we can look at it like that. I already know what you're going to order, the same thing you always order," I tease causing her to giggle.

After arriving at the Velvet Table restaurant, I exit the car and extend my hand for Gwen; she smiles softly as she reaches for it. 

"Thank you, Arden," she whispers. I place my hand on her lower back not thinking anything of it, until I hear my mother's words.

"Aww, look what a beautiful and sweet couple you make. Nothing would make me happier than to see you two end up together," her embarrassing words cut through me knowing I am in no way romantically attracted to Gwen or any other girl. 

"You two order whatever and as much as you want," my father insists. 

"Gwen, I'm guessing you want the Italian platter with the garden salad and light dressing?" I ask and notice she's nodding in agreement.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Falco, Gwen and Arden," Anna the waitress greets us.

"Good evening, Anna. Gwen would like the Italian plater, and garden salad with sparkling water. I would like the same," I inform her. 

"Okay, and how about you Mr. and Mrs. Falco?

"My husband and I want the stuffed shells plater with the garden salad and a bottle of your red wine, please.

"Sure. I will get these sent right in. It will be about fifteen minutes," she informs us. 

"Well, I must say, I am happy to see you two smiling and having a good time," my mother grins from ear to ear.

"Mom, you know I have always enjoyed spending time with my friends. Gwen and I grew up together."

"Perhaps your friendship could possibly develop into something more than just being friends?" she asks with hope in her voice.

"Can we please focus on why we're here, mother? You're embarrassing Gwen and me," I say through clenched teeth. 

"Arden, you know it's always been your father's and my hope for some time now that you and Gwen will realize how perfect you are for each other. I know her parents feel the same way we feel," she continues with her relentless speech much to our humiliation. 

"Here we are," Anna interrupts causing a sigh of relief. 

"Perfect timing, Anna," I whisper and notice her wink as to let me know her perfect timing was intentional. 

"So, Gwen, Arden is thinking about going to Colorado a spending a little time there at the cabin. Would you consider joining him?  I imagine you both would love to relax after the four hard years in school," Mom blurts out causing me to choke in my salad.

"Mother, what are you doing? You know Gwen is leaving for Paris in a few days. And I haven't decided if I'm going to the cabin or not." 

"Arden is wright, Mrs. Falco, I plan to leave for Paris in a few days," Gwen chimes in. 

"Oh, well, maybe you should also think about going to Paris, Arden," she replies getting ready to sip her wine. 

"I don't want to go to Paris, mother. If I go anywhere to unwind and relax it will be at the cabin."

"Okay, so, perhaps the two of you can take a trip together later?" she relentlessly continues to put us together. 

"You're just not going to give up on this, are you? I think I need some fresh air," I snap while tossing my napkin on top of the table.

"Arden, wait. I'll come with you," Gwen shouts walking behind me.

"I can either call you an uber, I really don't want to because I'm not wanting you to get into a car with a complete stranger, or you can come with me across the street, and I will rent a car. I really feel like consuming a ton of alcohol, are you with me or not Gwen?" I ask and feel her hand slide into mine.

"I'm with you all the way, Arden." 


After renting the SUV and going to the liquor store, we ended up at the Comfort Inn hotel and continue our alcohol feast. Both of us are swimming in Jack Daniel, tequila and a case of wine coolers. The next morning it becomes clear we lost all control and let the alcohol take over.

"Damn it, my head is throbbing," I groan sitting up and soon feel someone in bed behind me. My eyes look down. 


"Oh God, Arden?" Gwen looks up at noticing we're both naked.

"Shit, please tell me we didn't, oh my God, Gwen."

"I think I remember you lifting me up against the wall, and we, we, had sex last night with each other, Arden."

"No, please no."