What Are Roommates For?

2. Hangovers and Rude Roommates

(TW: Vomiting kind of towards the middle.)

Gerard's POV

This party was so damn boring. Or rather, it wasn't my crowd. I was dragged to my first college party, and it was just like the movies, except they don't tell you the overwhelming stench of sweat, puke, beer, and feet. Ray dragged my sorry ass down here, having one hell of a time doing so. I still needed to unpack my bedroom and my bathroom stuff. I didn't get the chance to do the second one on the list since my roommate was in the shower, but at least I got to meet him.

I think it was the worst way you could meet someone; walking in right before they were about to take a shower. I'm just glad he was still in boxers. I was used to just walking in and doing what I needed, no matter what room. Boundaries were almost nonexistent in my house, but now I had to learn them because this roommate situation wouldn't favor what I had been used to.

"Gee! Lighten up, it's a party!"

"That has underage drinking and a lot of half-naked girls."

"Have a beer, it makes it a lot better."

Ray had been screaming over the music, seemingly tipsy himself as he quickly thrusted this beer I had never heard of into my hand. Might as well. I popped off the lid, taking a swig and feeling the dry liquid coax itself down my throat. Yuck, it was one of those yeast beers that had the piss aftertaste. I shrugged, figuring I would appreciate forgetting this night, easily chugging the liquid down and then taking it from my lips. I coughed a little and wiped the excess with my sleeve, looking around and blinking a little.

"That's the spirit! Hang tight, I'll get us another one!"

"Bring back a sweet one, Ray Toro. That one tasted terrible!"

"Yeah, yeah, fruity man."

I chuckled, knowing he wasn't holding onto reality much, just by a thread that was soon to snap. I knew he could hold his alcohol, so he must've had a few already. I waited, feeling my head moving every time the bass hit a note, the sea of mostly underage drunk kids moving in a wave of unpredictable movements. I was soon handed another beer, Angry Orchard this time, thank goodness.

"Thanks, man."

"Drink fast, it gets you drunk quicker."

I nodded, popping the top with my teeth, which isn't safe but all I cared about was getting wasted and then sleeping. I swished it around to make a tornado effect, taking it to my lips and then doing one more round as the beer poured into my mouth. It finished draining down into my mouth after a little bit, taking it away from my lips and giggling as I started to feel the other beer hitting me.

One after the other, soon enough, I had consumed 6 beers and was absolutely wasted. I couldn't walk straight, I was dancing rapidly and Ray was next to me during it all. We were both wasted. I felt him take my hand, trying to get my attention, though he eventually drunkenly pulled me away from the party. I was apparently dancing with this cheerleader-looking chick because she tried to grab my hand, though Ray was stronger.

I was pulled away from the loud music, suddenly not seeing colors flashing through my eyes. It was one solid color, an off-white perhaps, but it was undecided. I fell against someone, giggling at how soft they were.

"Gee, come on, cooperate with me. We gotta get you back to your dorm."

"Mm, but my dorm isn't even unpacked, my blankets aren't there because my bed isn't there."

"You'll just have to sleep on the couch you put in the dorm, okay?"

"M'kay, Raymond."

I tried to walk, kind of relying on Ray and him relying on me as we walked to my dorm. I wasn't worried about him making it to his dorm, we were only down the hall from each other after all, but he was always worried about me getting back in this state. We were kind of irresponsible the last few weeks of our high school careers if you couldn't tell.