Gone
I'm waiting anxiously outside the house.
It's late, almost 1 am, but I can still hear people enjoying the party inside. The lights are all on, and the muted music is still blaring loud enough to hear it all the way out here.
I check my watch, getting more irritated waiting. Where is Kevin? He's supposed to be here by now. We had left the last party together, but he had gotten hungry and wanted some food. Of our group, he had left alone to head to the main street for late-night grub. Takeout, easy and quick. It wouldn't be more than 15 minutes of a detour.
But now it had been 30 minutes since. The rest of the group had already gone inside. I would've just texted him the address, but for some reason our cell reception was weak here.
"Whose party is this?"
"The Einzmuth fraternity and sorority. It's a general thing, but the cover is cheap. Just don't drink their jungle juice."
I may not get a chance anyway at this rate. Where was this guy?
I keep thinking of calling Kevin before realizing I can't. I was getting impatient. At this hour, I was tired too. This should be our nightcap for tonight.
Part of me begins to wonder if he had gone off somewhere else, impulsive as he was.
He can't contact me, and maybe wouldn't think of it, drunk and stumbling around. Maybe he had come across another friend of ours on the way, and I've just been here doing nothing but standing under the dim streetlight.
At least it's a good time to take a smoke. I had one last joint for the evening to enjoy, might as well use it now. Keeping the joint held in my lips, I use both hands as I search for the lighter. It had to be with me somewhere, I don't think I—
Kevin. He asked for it earlier.
Oh shit, that's right. I gave it to him earlier, before he went to get food. Now he must still have it because I can't fucking find it anywhere. Utter bullshit.
At this point, I say fuck it and head inside for the party. I'm annoyed and wanted to enjoy what remained of the night. Fuck you, Kevin.
And to be honest, I sort of forgot about Kevin for the rest of the night. So when I heard the next day he had gone missing, I felt a little guilty.