Falling Leaves [ENG]

Chapter Three

THEO

viko63 & penglord – Mucho Gusto

I hear someone calling my name, quite loudly. I am immediately awake. I blink into the morning light shining through the skylight. With the blanket over my head and the residual alcohol in my system, I slept like a rock. The memories of the previous evening flooding back to me, like a shower of rain, the drops of which feel piercingly cold on the bare surface of my skin. My university mates are back in town and with them the party life, which I have been living out less excessively than usual the last weeks. The basic rule of our evenings together is that at least one, preferably two shots are drunk with every round of beer, so that the level rises properly and falls more slowly. The great reunion has hit like a bomb. I will probably notice the consequences of this throughout the day in my poor physical condition.

I run a hand over my face. The dream sand sticks to the corners of my eyelids. Dried saliva sticks to my lips, which feel a little swollen from making out last night.

I grope awkwardly from the bed for my pants, which I carelessly threw into the room last night. The mattress is cold and deserted on the right side, probably the reason for the noise outside my room. I haven't got on so well with a woman for a long time that it has become more than that for the moment. Last night, however, there was a huge spark. The only question at the end was whether to go to her place or mine. My home was closer to the city centre, which is why we ended up in the shared flat. Arthur was on the late shift and didn't notice a thing because he was sleeping very good with his earplugs. It's just as well, because I'm always a bit embarrassed when the fun for the night makes my brother's acquaintance. In hindsight, I can no longer judge how loud we might have been. I was just too drunk for that. Some of my memories have also been blown away. But what the hell. It happens after a party night. What's the point of being young if you don't enjoy your youth?

I get up too quickly. My head is spinning. I feel dizzy. At the same time, I feel a slight feeling of nausea in my stomach. The last vapours of alcoholic fog have not yet dissipated.

I awkwardly try to put on my boxer shorts. The dizziness causes me to lose my balance and fall onto floor with a loud thud. The floor is cold. Goose bumps spread over my body, and I shiver. I long for my cosy duvet, which must still be warm underneath.

Cursing loudly, I struggle to get up again. At least I manage to cover the centre of my body while walking with moderate success. I reach my bedroom door in a few long strides. I pause briefly before pushing down the door handle.

My mouth is dry as dust. My body craves water. My lack of clothing means I'm freezing. I feel an unpleasant pulling sensation in my back. Possibly from the fall just now. The diagnosis is clear: I definitely have a hangover and perhaps a problem that I don't know about yet. My head is now buzzing so much that I don't really feel like getting caught in the crossfire. The last beer last night must have been bad. On the other hand, maybe it's better if I check the situation. Besides, my involuntary fall won't have been silent, so whoever is out in the corridor must have realised that I'm awake.

I sigh into the silence of the room and brace myself for what awaits me behind the door.

*

Curious glances scrutinise me as I step onto the top step of the stairs that lead to the attic, my room. The autumn chill envelops me and brings back the goose bumps I just had. I stare back with my arms crossed in front of my body. Five pairs of eyes looking at me from below. Arthur with an amused twitch at the corner of his mouth. Two complete strangers, my one-night stand from last night and Caja. Damn it, Caja!