The Morning After The Night Before

“Good morning” I said to Zoe, who was crouched over her cereal. I was ignored.


“Good morning” I said again, louder than before.

“Morning.” Zoe replied sharply.

“Oh…Kay” I muttered dismissively, I wondered what her problem was as I poured myself a glass of Orange juice and sat down, opposite Zoe, at the kitchen table.

“What were you playing at?” Zoe asked aggressively, still staring at her cereal which was slowly coagulating on the table.

“What do you mean?” I asked. I looked at her, confused by her question.

She glared at me, fury in her eyes. “You know very well what I mean, Nick. Last night. What were you playing at, dancing with that slut?” she demanded.

I thought for a second. “What girl? Oh what’s-her-name?” I said clicking my fingers. “Claire? She just started dancing with me; I have no idea who she was.”

“Then how do you know her name? And why didn’t you just walk away then?” Zoe retorted, giving me an icy look.

“She introduced herself to me while we were dancing, and we were in a nightclub, you’re supposed to dance at a nightclub. I wasn’t planning on paying £6 to get in and not have a good time, was I? What do you care who I dance with anyway? I didn’t know you were there, I thought you didn’t like Oceana? And in any case, you dumped me remember? I replied coyly, looking into her eyes searching for a reaction. I got it.

“That’s not the point Nick and you know it!” She shouted, throwing her cereal bowl at the wall. She had always been volatile, since I first met her last September.

“Well what is the fucking point Zoe? Because I’m obviously not getting it!” I shouted back, slamming my fist onto the table.

“Whatever Nick” Zoe resigned stormed out, slamming the door behind her with such force that the glasses in the cabinet shook.

“As soon as this semester ends I’m gonna find a new flat to live in because you’re driving me up the fucking wall!” I screamed, now seething in anger. I glanced at the clock on the wall. “Shit! I’m late for my fucking lecture. Great!” I grabbed my bag and ran out the door towards the bus stop muttering to myself “Never go out with your flat mates your own brother told you. Did I listen? Did I hell. Idiot!”