Building My Life

Chapter 21 Meeting at the Party

Uélton says goodbye to his parents and leaves the house with Josias, somewhat embarrassed to know that his friend is leaving for a public place without underwear. But, Josias is not at all embarrassed. He would even wear the same brief, but Uélton said it would not be appropriate... if Uélton kept his mouth shut...

Uélton and Josias go to a part of the Happiness Slum where Josias has not yet met. They passed in the direction pointed by Melissa where her house is. So, the chances of meeting her at the party are big, which encourages Josias.

They arrive at a two-story house and a terrace. From a distance, you can already see the crowd on the terrace and the sound of loud music = “Off the Wall”, by Michael Jackson. Uélton goes in and greets everyone his age, the boy looks like the son of a politician, he is so well known. And for each friend greeted, Josias is introduced.

What Uélton did not realize was that, with each person introduced to Josias, that person reacted as if he was in front of someone important. Josias had this aura that commanded respect and authority. He, with his slight smile and a firm handshake, made it clear that he was not just anybody. The effect was even greater on women.

“Meet my new friend Josias,” said Uélton to a group of well-made-up girls. They look Josias up and down with evident approval.

Some even thought that Uélton was looking like the valet or secretary who introduces the Master to the people.

Meanwhile, Melissa was already present with her friends on the terrace, sitting on a bench and eating the barbecue, more specifically chicken wings. She ate with her hand, without ceremony. The two friends approach, each with the chicken wing in hand.

“So, Melissa, are you enjoying the party?”

“Thank you so much, Pamela, thank you so much for inviting me.” Melissa thanks chewing at the same time.

“I told you, my sister knows how to run a good party.” Pamela boasts. She talks about her older sister, but it is the father of the two who is controlling the barbecue and ensuring that the party does not turn into a den of junkies or an orgy of depraved people.

Uélton takes Josias to the terrace, guided by the smell of the barbecue. “Boy, the food must be being served up here. Do you smell it?”

“It is delicious,” Josias admits. “And it is good for us to enjoy the view from up here.”

When they go up, the first person Josias sees is Melissa. He smiles, satisfied. Melissa still doesn't see him, focused on eating and talking to her friends.

“Enjoying the view, buddy?” Uélton pats Josias on the shoulder, already understanding what he is looking at. Josias smiles and goes towards the barbecue. Pamela's father is just putting pieces of rump on the meat board.

Uélton takes two slices of rump with his hand, like everyone else, but Josias takes a plastic fork and sticks it in the slices, thus avoiding eating with his hand. The forks are there, but no one seems to care, except Josias. Pamela's father looks at him as if he is in front of a prince.

Josias approaches Melissa. The flowered knee-length dress and wavy hair made her look more beautiful than ever. Melissa finally finds Josias with her eyes. She smiles when she sees the black T-shirt and jeans that seem to have been tailored for him (if she knew it was borrowed clothes...)

“Josias!” Melissa promptly gets up, wipes the fat off the chicken wings from her fingers, and approaches him. Then she turns to her friends. “So, girls, THIS is Josias.”

Pamela and the other friend are dumbfounded. Yes, Josias was a handsome man; that could not be denied. He looked at them as if he were going to marry them both, as in these arranged marriages that exist in the Middle East. Then he looks at Melissa with a smile, as if she's the official wife. A real sheik.

“Melissa, what a pleasure to see you; Uélton said you would be here,” Josias speaks, completely ignoring her jaw-dropping friends.

“You must have walked by my house.” Melissa hurries to say. “When we leave, I'll show you.”

“But, it's early to go!” Pamela immediately stands up and approaches the couple, “Make yourself at home. My dad is rocking the barbeque.”

“Yes, it is very delicious...” Josias doesn't know her name.

“Pamela.” She speaks, smiling, maybe too much. When she notices Josias eating with the fork, she replies, “Are you using the fork?”

The second friend burst out laughing. Even Uélton joins in the laughter. Melissa doesn't understand their dismay, much less Josias.