The Pursuit of Adventure

Dear xxx,

Party tonight in Phuket Town. Meet us at the boxers bar at 10. See you then.

M.

Its on. My friends and I pull into the boxers bar and look around. We don’t know anyone… It’s supposed to be people from our camp, but it seems that its the fighters from the rival camp up the road, and they aren’t friendly.

I spot a nice looking guy, tall, with sky blue eyes and dimples. A full sleeve black and white tattoo, he wanders over to my table and starts talking my friend about their tattoos. We strike up a conversation. He is funny, cocky, and quite gorgeous. He has the kind of face that you want to look at for hours because he’s just so…pretty… and he knows it. But who cares? He’s funny and charming and he’s the friendliest man in the bar right now.

Our taxi arrives and we pile in. Girls in the cab and the guys in the tray. In phuket town normal laws don’t  apply.

The bar is packed and airconditioned to winter. A cover band is playing heavily accented versions of 80′s hits. We’re all bored.

Theres a guy I’ve seen at my gym. He’s short, with dark skin the colour of milk chocolate. The type with the soft centres that melt in your mouth.  He saw me watching him in the gym just yesterday. When he smiles his eyes crinkle, and his muscles make his skin taught when he’s just standing around relaxed. His is the type of body that looks like he takes care of himself but doesn’t spend all his time lifting weights. This is a functional body, a fighters body. He’s out with us tonight, and he won’t speak to me.

I walk outside. He’s there.

“So… where are you from?” I try to strike up conversation

“California.” He replies. Nothing. His buddy looks at me suspiciously.

Blank.

I’m lost for words. I seriously don’t know what to say. I’m not used to having such a hard time talking to someone but he’s making it hard. I don’t know if its just nerves or he really doesn’t want to talk to me. Whatever.

I find my friends and make typical small talk. We’re going to change bars.

Moving a group of 15 individuals across town is no easy feat. We pile into a tuk tuk and find our way to our intended destination. But the nightclub won’t let the guys in who are wearing sandals. Clandestine operations to change shoes and sneak past bouncers take place and we’re all in. Our group instantly splinters into 5 groups of 3.

“These guys are such assholes” I tell my friend, “they just don’t want to talk to us. Is it because we’re new?”

“nah, its just because they’re in a clique.”

“we gotta make our own clique”

“we already ARE a clique!” she laughs..”look at us, its always the three of us” she points out.

I take a break to grab some air and see the guy from my gym and his 2 friends about to take a taxi home. I though the idea was that we stay together and go back to the camp together. They’re not interested in playing friends though. I’d call that Jack where I come from. His level of appeal has dropped significantly.

I’m really trying hard not to make swift judgements on people. Trying to keep an open mind but they’re making it hard.

Back at the front of the club is raining slightly. The rain that doesn’t wet you. Its pleasant with the Thai heat.

Sam is there. Another guy who completely ignored me this evening. Practically said “talk to the hand”. Suddenly a camera comes out and he grabs me by the waist and calls out to a friend “hey take a photo of us.”

I’m confused.

“you’re awesome” he says to me, his face close to mine.

“huh?”

“you’re like.. a gypsy”

“is that supposed to be a good thing?”

“yeah! You’re awesome!”

“you don’t mean that.  A minute ago you didn’t like me.”

“what are you talking about? I don’t remember that…”

I shake my head and pose for the photo. The cocky boxer joins us and we stay outside the bar, joking around, flirting, carrying on. The boys tell me I don’t give myself enough credit. I blush and wonder what they’re talking about.

I’m so flattered by the attention but a little confused. Constantly surrounded by prettier, smarter, fitter girls I can’t believe they are talking to me. These guys are fit, attractive and funny. They could have any girl they want.

“you could have any girl you want.” I poach,

“What are you talking about, i’ve been hitting on you all night!” Apparently I needed more of a hint than that.

“I’m going to be trying to get you into bed in about half an hour” Now thats pushing it. Not sure if I should be offended or flattered or both, I steer the conversation away. I like the flirting but as cute as these guys are.. They’re not my type and besides, part of me wishes I was flirting with shortie from the gym. But he’s a ass, right?

Epilogue: One is inclined to change one’s opinion. After writing this story I have actually spent more time talking to this guy, and i’d like to say we’ve become friends.. He’s a funny and genuine guy. I learnt the valuable lesson of not judging someone on the first time you speak to them. In fact… Don’t judge. Just be cool.