There he lay, groaning, regretting his choice. It has been some time since he felt like this.

Unimaginably pain running through his body, threatening to overwhelm him at any moment. In his never-ending agony he only had one thought.

`Why did I order the large pizza? The small one would have done it too. `

That’s right, while he lay at the couch in the house of his best friend, he regretted not just ordering a large pizza, but also having finished said pizza.

Usually, he would have finished a large pizza without a problem, but since he started to lose some weight, he wasn’t able to eat as much as he used to be.

And normally it wouldn’t even matter, because he wouldn’t eat as much as today.

But today was different, today he and his friends finally got to hang out together.

Since they all started to go to the college, started work or were just at home doing whatever, they didn’t find the time to hang out together.

But today they managed do finally come together and have some fun.

And to celebrate this occasion he decided to go all out.

He drank like there was no tomorrow and he ordered the large garlic pizza.

Well, beer, vodka, Jack Daniels and a garlic pizza don’t really mix that well.

He was surprised that he hasn’t vomited already, and so he thought that luck was on his side this time.

How wrong he was.

Not 10 minutes after lying down, his stomach stared to rumble and he had to suppress the constant need to vomit.

Till now it all worked out somehow, but alas he started to reach his limit, and he couldn’t keep it in anymore.

With one swift hand movement he threw the blanket off from him and started to sprint towards the bathroom.

He ran like there was no tomorrow, he was never as fast as he was at this moment.

And at last, he tripped on the goddam cat.

Oh, how he hated that beast, with such a passion, and that was on the best of days.

Now wasn’t one of these days or at least not one his rare generous times where he simply ignored her.

Tripping over the cat and landing face first on the floor did the trick; he lost all self-control and started to vomit all over the floor.

The dresser, the carpet and some parts of the white wall were all covered in his vomit.

Just to add to that, the cat got out of the splash zone and was safe, much to his displease.

After solid 5 minutes of puking, cursing and holding his head in pain, he finally managed to hold the next wave of vomit down and went to the bathroom, more accurate the toilet, to release the rest of his pizza.

While sitting at the toilet, giving his best to get everything out, he heard some footsteps, someone cursing and people talking.

At least he wouldn’t have to clean up all this mess on his own.

Someone knocked on the bathroom door and he could hear someone talking to him.

“You ok in there?”

“…What do you thi…blargh…nk?” was all he managed to say before he continued in his effort to cleanse himself. “Ah fuck that one hurt!”

Again, the voice behind the door, or also known as his best friend, asked. “Need some help?”

This time he managed to answer without interruption. “No, thanks I’m fine on my own.” It took him a great deal of self-control to say just this one sentence, and yet he was dismissed just like it. “If you say so.”

“Blarghhhhh….ahaha ow that hurts.”

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“I take this as a sign that you wouldn’t be able to clean up your own mess, ok?” came the slightly annoyed voice from his friend.

“Give me some time, maybe 5…barghh… 10 minutes and I will clean it up.”

“Ahhh, it’s all right, the others and I are already awake, and so we clean up this mess while you stay in there and do whatever you have to do.” His friend said.

“Thanks, and sorry.” Was his weak response.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Good luck in there.” The voice behind the door answered, but this time a little bit more annoyed than before, because he knew that he could clean up the bath first thing in the morning.

“And good luck to you out there.” came the sleepy and slightly echoed voice from inside the bathroom.

“And don’t you dare and fall sleep in there.”

“….”

“Steve?”

Bang Bang

“Steve! Oh, for fucks sake! You can’t be serious; he’s sleeping in the bathroom, again!”

.

..

…

And that’s all he remembers from that evening before he fell asleep with his head on the toilet and his clothes full of vomit.

.

..

…

The next morning was a horrible, horrible morning. He woke up with the strongest hangover he ever had, barley any sleep, and he smelled like shit. Not literal shit, no he literal smelled like vomit, but shit would also do to describe it. And he was cold, because someone, he still didn’t know who, decided to wake him up with an ice-cold water bucket.

In summary, he was sleepy, smelled horrible, had a headache like never before and his hair and clothes are wet. And yet he had to help clean up.

Now, normally he wouldn’t mind helping out, after all he did participate in the party, but under these conditions he wasn’t sure how long, or efficient, he would be able to help.

He just wanted to go back to the couch and sleep of his intoxication. But he knew that, first of all, he wouldn’t be allowed to go back to sleep, and second, he couldn’t go back to sleep, because it is custom for his friends and him to clean up after a party, no matter where the party took place, and he would feel bad not helping out.

Still, it couldn’t have hurt to start after a few more hours.

Luckily the clean-up wouldn’t take too long this time. Even thought there were a decent number of participants yesterday, and they did kind made a mess of the backyard, it was nothing they never had to clean up before. Everyone knew what they had to do and worked quite efficient. It’s always the same.

And that was something that put a smile upon his face, every time. He knew that he could always count on these guys. They have been together for more than 10 years now, and they would continue to be together for the next 10 years, and probably even longer. And that gave made him happier than anything else in the world.

.

..

…

The cleaning only took half an hour, faster than he expected. Now the only thing that was of concern was the horrible smell of vomit, but time would take care of that. All the windows were already completely opened, and fresh air was beginning to fill the living room, and the bathroom. Thought the bathroom would take a while longer, because the room had only one small window. They could only hope that the stench settles relative quick. If not they would have a problem.

But that was a problem that would solve itself giving time, and that meant he could lean back, chill a little bit with his friends and slowly but surely make his way back home.

And maybe, just maybe, he could also take a quick shower. Because boy, did he stink.

.

..

…

Finished with everything they all sat done on the couch and watched some videos on the TV, while playing with the phones, an old ritual, of sorts, to sober up.

One after the other started to get up, said goodbye, and went home. Until Steve, and his best friend Greg, were alone. Like always, Steve was the last one to go.

“So” Greg started, “how long are you going to stay?”

“A few more minutes” came the answer, “I am already sobered up, so I should be able to get home.”

“That wasn’t what meant. How long are you going to stay here, in the city, before you go back to university?” he asked while standing up to close the windows.

“Ah, that’s… a good question, dunno. Probably the day after tomorrow, don’t want to let the misses alone for too long.” answered Steve without looking up from his phone.

“Ok. By the way, when does the next semester to start?”

“Truth be told, I have no idea. I haven’t checked myself yet. But I think one week is still left, or maybe two. Like I said, no idea.”

“You really take that whole becoming a teacher thing rather lax.”

“Nah, it’s not that I take it lax, at least not completely, I am just happy to have finally some free time. And that’s why I haven’t check yet, because once I checked I will start to prepare and stress myself out. Let’s just say that I will enjoy my free time as long as I can.”

“Like always?”

“You’ve got it.”

“You know, if you would contribute only a portion of the energy you spend being relaxed on your studies, you would have probably been the best in the whole year.” Greg said while shaking his head.

“Come on, dude, you sound just like my mom. Besides, where would be the fun in that? You can’t always give everything you have, sometimes you have to take things slow and enjoy the moment.” commented Steve, again without looking up from his phone.

“You never change.” Again, Greg shook his head, but this time with a small smile on his face, “and like I know you, you never will.”

“Of course.” He started, his voice growing louder, as if giving a speech. “What would you guys do if I suddenly started to change and be to cool for you, huh? The whole group would collapse and you lot would be lonely and sad. I am the reason the gang is still together after all these years.” This time Steve looked up from his phone, on his face a serious look.

Both he and Greg looked each other in the eyes for a few seconds, before they both started to laugh.

A few minutes after they stopped laughing Steve bid his farewell and started on his way home.

It was just a little bit after 1pm, the sun was high up, it was cold, he was sobered up and he had no plans for the rest of the day.

A perfect day to relax and do nothing, maybe taking a stroll through the city or just going home and sleep for the rest of the day.

He didn’t know yet.

The day just started, and he could use it any way he wants.

A perfect day.

Just like always.

.

..

…

Ok, almost perfect, he still had to take a shower.