Hollingwood University

Chapter 29

We didn't finish cleaning until three in the morning; by that time, I was ready to collapse into bed, and forget the world existed. Ethan had been a big help, without him, I don't know how long it would've taken for me to finish up.

"Okay, I'm not looking at another cleaning product for the next year," I said. Ethan chuckled at me.

"What're you complaining for? We did great," he said.

"Sure we did, but I feel like I'm about to fall flat on my face any minute," I replied. We had returned to the dorms; all the lights were out, a thin breeze was blowing through the air, making the trees sway from left to right, then back again. I had only been out of the dorms when it was this dark, and it was the first time that Ethan took me to the Thames River. You know, when I 'almost' sent him over the railing.

"How do you think Erica's doing?" he asked.

"I don't even wanna begin to wonder. That relationship is so over," I replied.

"I just can't believe that Harry actually hit Erica. I told him where to take her on their first date, what brand of condoms to buy, best intimate position," he smirked at his last comment.

"Ethan," I smacked his arm.

"Well, I guess good luck up there with Erica," he said.

"What do you mean 'good luck'? You're coming up with me," I told him.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because your my boyfriend now, and your as up to your neck in this mess as I am," I replied. He huffed.

"How about I just pop in and say 'hi'?" he suggested.

"You give her a hug and kiss, final offer," I said.

"Deal," he said. We went upstairs to my floor, Ethan knocked on the door three times. No answer came, but I could see the light shining from underneath the door.

"Erica?" I called out. There was still no answer. In fear for the worst, I fished out my key from my bag and opened the door, finding Erica was (luckily) okay as she sat on her bed; a bottle of red wine next to her. She looked completely and utterly horrendous. She hadn't taken off her dress, and her hair was frazzled and messy from when I last saw it. She had kicked off her heels, and blisters were starting to take mold on her feet. Her make up was smudged from crying, and she was turning pale. "Oh my God,"

"Oh hey-hey guys," she slurred out, completely drunk. When Erica was shit-faced, you knew it was a bad sign. "What toooook you so looong?"

"Maybe you should come back tomorrow," I told Ethan.

"Are you sure? I can stay if you like," he said.

"I got this. You go to bed," I replied.

"I'll call you in the morning," he said.

"Better make that afternoon. Love you," I gave him a quick kiss, then let out the door. As much as I wanted to watch his fine ass walk away, my friend was in serious trouble. Erica was doubled over, she looked about ready to pass out. She wasn't going to bed looking like that.

"Alright Ms. Welsh, let's go," I pulled her to her feet and guided her to the bathroom. As I started helping her pull off her dress, she groaned out and clutched her stomach.

"Mmm, Lucy, I don't feel well," before I could ask what was wrong, she dropped to her knees and began to puke into the toilet. I was glad we got the bathroom in time. I pulled back her hair and sat awkwardly on the tub, wishing I could've been anywhere but there at that moment. I started to wonder how Sami was doing; surely, Vincent got her home safe. There weren't too many boys like him anymore. These girls were gonna have such head-pounding hangovers tomorrow, I don't think all the aspirin in the world could've helped them.