The bedroom reeked of drunk sex and dried sweat. Oppressive heat smothered the occupants sprawled across the disheveled bed. Rusty springs squeaked as the curvy blonde rolled onto her stomach. The sheets wound around her wide hips, leaving Nick naked and exposed. He grimaced, covering his eyes.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a green glow from the emerald pendant that shined on Nick’s face. He knocked it from the nightstand. Raw sticky skin stung near his groin as he tried to sit in bed without waking the sleeping stranger. He reached for his phone and saw two missed calls and several unread texts from Noelle. Flying unicorns, bursts of fireworks, heart shaped emojis filled his screen. The naked girl ripped a long beefy fart and murmured, burrowing under the covers.

Nick slunk from bed and collapsed against the dresser, its wooden knob jabbing his skull. His kidneys ached and he smelled of liquor. He stared at his screensaver: a picture of Noelle on her fifth birthday. “What am I doing?” He said, grabbing a polo and chinos from the mess on top of his dresser; he crept to the common room…