Whenever I think I have escaped the social awkwardness that has defined way too much of my youth, something like this happens. After they're done applauding us for...opening the door, I feel as though I should say something.
"Uh...thanks?" Those elocution lessons certainly paid off.
"It's all for you!" says Euphrates, and as he steps forward I'm positive he's going in for a hug so I jump back and extend my hand instead. Thankfully, he takes the hint and shakes it. He does the same for Will, who I can tell is having a blast seeing me all out of sorts. "Come on kids, let's get to your party!" I swear, my face would hurt if I was always smiling like this guy does.
Apparently a couple people already peeled off while Euphrates was trying to hug us, so they must have been just as interested in greeting us as we were in being greeted. The rest seem thankful for the excuse to walk away from us now. One of them hands Will the welcome banner, and as soon as their back is turned the banner is out of sight. I'll make sure to never ask about it again.
Before Will has a chance to get a dig in, I say, "Well, it only has to get better from here, right?" He rolls his eyes, and I can't blame him. I don't believe me, either.
When we get to the setting of the party, I'm surprised to see a number of kids hanging by the pool area. I haven't seen anybody younger than us until now...
"Whoa, somebody busted out a Slip 'n Slide!" Will says.
Before he gets away I put my arm in front of him. "Be careful, Will," I caution.
He looks at me funny. "On a Slip 'n Slide? It's a children's toy, it's not dangerous."
"Will...with your speed?" I could just imagine him barrelling through the slide and taking out several toddlers with lawyers for parents and getting us sued the fuck out of Thunder. "We can't afford any incidents."
Will nods slowly as if he understands, then gives a Henry Hill-ish cackle and goes off on his own. Maybe I should make that request for a new partner, after all...would help relieve a ton of stress.
So now I'm by myself. I glance around, and see basically everybody is talking to everybody else. I could find some place in a random conversation to jump in, or go to my fallback strategy: blend into the background and hope everything is over before I know it.
