I'm woken up to an excessive ringing in my ear and an overly warm body snuggled into my side reeking of alcohol.

"Hello?" My voice comes out in a croak, as I try to remove myself from the human leech lying next to me. Lou had a death grip beyond this world; often resulting in me wrestling my way out of bed most mornings.

"Allison?"

In an instant my blood runs cold and I'm hyper aware and shaken from my sleep induced state. Glancing down at the phone I silently curse myself staring at the contact ID of one shirtless Brandon.

"Allison is that you?"

I couldn't form words let alone a coherent sentence if my life depended on it. I was frozen in place unaware of a stirring Lou next to me.

"Hello? Anyone there? Allison?" Confusion and suspicion radiated from the other line of the phone.

Snapping out of my trance I thrust the phone towards a hung-over Lou as I bound off to the restroom, leaving the door slightly ajar.

"Hello? Brandon?" Lou all but whispers, regretting her outburst immediately as I hear a groan disperse through my bedroom.

Splashing cold water on my face I precede to brush my teeth; trying desperately not to ease drop on the conversation in my bedroom. In the midst of my heartache last night I'd forgotten about Lou's continued association with Brandon, even though I'd asked her to end it. A new wave of annoyance and anger washing over me as her conversation continue to filter through the door.

"Yea that was Allison, had a gig last night my ride ditched me so I bummed a ride from her. I must have passed out on the couch or something."

"Hmmph." Was my response to her indifference reply. Exiting my bathroom I bee-line for my closet feeling Lou's eyes on me the entire time.

"Umm yea I'm still on for tonight. I can meet you there say 8:30?" Lou's voice was barely above a whisper but I had a feeling it had nothing to do with her hangover.

There was a long pause as I rummaged through my closet. Picking up the first pair of pants and poorly discarded shirt I could find, my intentions were on heading to the library. I had two papers to write and I couldn't do that with Lou looming around my apartment, determined on wanting to talk about last night.

"Great! I can't wait to see you either. Bye!"

Placing her cell phone back on my nightstand Lou wordlessly strides over to me engulfing me from behind her hands sprawled on my stomach, head resting between my shoulder blades.

I don't acknowledge her presence which causes Lou to tighten her hold on me, applying pressure to her palms.

"I have to go soon. Going to the library to finish some homework. I'll catch up with you later or not, depending if I make it back before your date." Removing her hands from my stomach I turn to make my way to the bathroom only to be halted by a pair of hands tugging my forearm.

"Allison don't!"

"Don't what Lou? Obviously how I feel means nothing to you once again." I respond through gritted teeth, my stern glare meeting her soft one.

The need to yell consumed me as I snatched my arm from the girl who was once again showing me how much of a fool I was. "You don't get it do you? I broke up with Mariana last night. I ended things because I thought you'd changed! Thought you'd finally started to grow and realize who had been there from the beginning!"

I'm panting now my hands balled in fists to feel some type of control on my whimsical emotions. Lou stepped back defensively ears turning red from surprise or infuriation.

"You can't be serious?" My posture doesn't change and I see comprehension fleet across her features.

Bypassing me entirely Lou steps out of the closet (no pun intended) to retrieve her clothes, hastily removing the nightshirt and shorts I gave her to change into last night. Nothing! She said nothing as she changed back into her day clothes, irritation evident in her hurried actions. In less than 24 hours two girls had walked away from me in a fit of outrage during an inconceivable difference. I really needed to work on my temper.

"Your something else you know that?" Finally the silence is broken as Lou grabs her phone and exists my bedroom, hair swaying in her speedy departure.

"Says the girl who wouldn't know loyalty if it slapped her with a two-by-four."

Stopping Lou storms invading my space and pointing a well manicured finger to my chest.

"Loyalty? You want to talk about loyalty? Fine we'll do exactly that!" Lou's face is a mixture of pure disbelief and flushed with displeasure. I can't help but falter a bit at her gaze, second guessing my initial argument.

I have a feeling I've started something I couldn't quite finish as her breathe washed over my face in short succinct huffs.

"I've been nothing but understanding and honest with you. I respected your relationship with Mariana and I even offered advice when things weren't going too great between you two. We spent nearly the entire day together and it felt like old times the way you looked at me, you were smiling and I was the reason behind it. I never thought we'd get back to that. I thought things were finally….. But I didn't relish in that because I knew you were happy. I was there for you if nothing more than a friend, and last night when I needed you I got nothing! You knew how important last night was for me. You ignored my phone calls and texts messages; I couldn't even get so much as a courtesy text. You left me high and dry something I would've never done to you. And when you finally do show up showcasing a hickey a blind man could spot 50 yards away. I was ready to finally admit defeat, we were done for good; there was nothing to salvage between us. Then you gave me the best news I've been told in a very long time. I would've been over the moon about but the look of extreme heartbreak on your face ruined that for me. So no you don't get to sit here and talk about loyalty to me. I'm not entirely sure I trust your definition of the word!"

Lou has stunned me into a speechless coma. She was right, I wasn't one to speak. Hypocritical and selfish, that's what had become of my character. By now tears were flowing freely from burning cheeks, chest heaving and eyes stationary. Minutes pasted before Lou eventually stopped her fixed stare on me. Turning once again and heading for the door, only to stop before existing through the threshold.

"I think I should spend a few nights at home. Give you some space. Obviously you have a lot of personal conflicts you need to work through."

Still paralyzed by the truth of her words I just stand there as my front door slams shut; a disappointed Lou leaving my apartment.