Christmas Party

Christmas Party

The night before final exam, my roommate throw a Christmas party. It was the first time in so many years she wanted to do a party. She sold her old house last year and bought this water-front house right after. She could not miss the opportunity. Nobody can miss the opportunity, because the view was absolutely breath-taking. When you walk into the living room, you feel like you walk into the paradise.

After six month’s unpacking, cleaning, painting, fixing, decorating, all done by a single woman, she felt it was the time to show off her remarkable work. Time was the night before my final exam. What on earth was she thinking?

I took the shocking look off my face shortly after her announcement. She didn’t tell me to discuss it with me. She told me this just out of respect, as to a roommate and to a tenant. What could I do? It was her house, it was her call. If she felt it was the right moment, then that was it. Nonnegotiable!

I knew my place so I retired to my room, study for next day’s final. From time to time I came out to help her with the final touch. She took half day off to prepare the foods, drinks and everything. The night fell as the time was approaching. I turned on the lights on the Christmas tree. She lighted the candles. The house was so beautiful and welcoming!

The guests were arriving one after one. Among 24 guests, three of them were my teachers. One taught me last year, two are my present teachers. They looked so different than they usually were, with all those make-ups, dresses, high-heels. Everybody looked fancy and expensive except me. I didn’t bring any dress to my rented room, how was I supposed to know there would be a party and I should dress up?

It was even more awkward to meet your teachers at your roommate’s party where you got no place to hide. That was the worst night of 2009!