(still a draft, please bear with me ^^)

I'm slowly dragged out of my sleep with the impression that my brain is palpitating in my skull. I keep my eyes tightly shut. It's like someone's having fun squeezing a vise into my head over and over again. I should never have drunk so much. The pizza we ate during the party was really not enough. Low snorings suddenly catch my attention. I open my eyes in a hurry, panicked, which intensifies my headache. What the fuck did I do this time? Please, please, tell me I haven't fucked up, I silently beg while I peek at the person sleeping next to me.

Maddie.

It's Maddie. Sleeping like a baby. I let out a long sigh, closing my eyes with relief. I feel the weight a gult flying off my chest. I have never been happier to see her. 

I fall back down on the tiny bed. The memories of the party slowly flow back one by one. The alcohol, the games, the laughter, the stories, the beer pong. It was an awesome night, and I'm now paying the price of it, but it was worth it.

I'm still fully clothed. I don't remember going to bed. I wouldn't be surprised if I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I'll have to thank whoever took care of me.

My headache doesn't get better, it seems to even get worse with each passing second. Hot flushes rise from my stomach that contracts in an uncomfortable way. I know the signs too well.

Quickly, I grab my shoes, my jacket, and phone that were carefully place near the bed and as quietly as possible, I leave the room before walking fast to the bathroom. I barely have time to lock the door behind me and lean over the toilet that I'm throwing up what is left in my stomach. Fuck.

I let myself fall on the tiled floor. I push back the strands of hair off my sweaty forehead. With a low energy gesture, I flush the toilet before I lean my head against the cold wall, closing my eyes for an instant. Little by little, I feel my body temperature dropping, it feels good.

I feel the floor until I grasp my phone with my fingertips to bring it to my eyes. 5.30 am, 4% battery left and a significant number of notifications. I'm not ready to go through my photos or the texts I sent.

I want to go back to my dorm to die in peace in my bed after taking a long shower.

The thought of being in my own bed makes me smile, but I'm not even sure I can get up, so going back to my dorm... I could still try to order an Uber with the battery I have left but I'm afraid to waste it for nothing. I have no idea if taxis come around this late. The best thing for me is to go back to bed with Maddie and wait for her to wake up, or someone who can take me back. I wish I was home.

I find the strength to lift myself from the ground. Nausea seems to be gone. I stop in front of the sink where I wash my hands before splashing water on my face. I rinse my mouth, with the desperate hope of removing the horrible taste in it. I wince when I see my reflection. No wonder why I woke up with Maddie and not somebody else. I take a hairband from my wrist to tie my hair into a ponytail. It will do for now.

The house is so silent that it is almost disorienting. I rub my face, I don't particularly want to go back with Maddie in the bed, it's so small, plus, she is snoring. I blame it on the alcohol, but still. I saw the other bed in the room was taken too when I left the room.

"You're still here?"

I startle on the voice. My heart speeds up in my chest for the second time since I woke up. I lift my head. The surprise takes over the fear when I recognize him. My annoying school buddy. How more lucky can I be?

"As you can see," I trail off.

"And I'm not the only one," I remark.

"This is my house."

Oh.

I don't remember seeing him around. I haven't looked for him either. And for some reason, I did not picture him as a frat boy.

He passes by me. I watch him entering the bathroom to fill a bottle of water, before he walks away, totally ignoring me, when a thought, or rather an idea makes its way to my mind.

"Hey, hmm...I'm sorry, but...do you think I could borrow you a charger? I don't have battery left..." I bit my lip, showing my phone. I don't know what to expect from him, but he is my only chance.

He looks at me for a moment, drinking from his bottle. His lack of answer is driving me crazy.

"Come." He simply says before turning around.

I sigh with relief, rubbing my forehead, I can't believe he agreed. I follow him inside his room. His roommate isn't here, but his side is messy, unlike the one of my new "friend".

"What phone do you have?"

I show him my iPhone. He takes the charger by his bed and hands it to me.

"Thanks." I plug my phone and sits at a desk while he goes lying in his bed. As much as I want to reply to my friends, I leave my phone alone hoping it will charge faster this way.

Bored, I mindlessly look around until my eyes fall on him. His face is lit by the screen of his phone to which he seems riveted. His skin is slightly tanned, which blends nicely with his black hair. He is wearing simple gray sweat pants with a black t-shirt. As I look at his outfit, I notice the tattoos left uncovered on his arms. He doesn't look too bad I guess.

I feel awkward staying here though. He let me come, which is nice, but the little voice inside me keeps repeating he might want to sleep and he was, actually, trying to be nice with me by letting me stay. I should do the same.

I feel around, looking for my cigarettes in the pocket of my jacket. I hide a smile when my fingers feel it, let's hope there is one left inside now.

"Do you mind if I leave my phone here for a moment? I'm going to get some air. Put it out if you want to sleep." I only need enough battery to at least have the choice to stay or to head back.

He lifts his eyes from his phone to me and he sighs when they fall on my packet. I watch him get up. He walks toward the window that he opens and without a word, he slips in, grabbing something from his desk on the way.