I put the pencil beside me. Done. The final exams are over. Finally. I smiling like crazy as I look ti my left. Patricia is still writing like a maniac in the last five minutes. Typical for her. Today's friday and Patricia and I are going to go out. Party like there's no tomorrow. I, for once, have a mission: The mission to get drunk and forget about him. It wasn't easy to concentrate on studying with him on my mind all the time. Anything but easy. At least that's over now.

We drive back to the apartment with Patricia's car, saying no word about the exam. Patricia rather discusses the importance of our outfits this evening. And for once, I pay attention. We get out of the car and I look for the keys in my purse.

"Maine, there's a package." Patricia says her eyes focussed on the floor.

I follow her glance and get greeted by a box. Weird. "Did you buy anything online?"

"No." Patricia answers, "Did you?"

"No." I say, picking up the package. It's lightweight.

"Perhaps from my parents." I say as I open the apartment door.

"Open it!" she demands as soon as we enter our apartment. She walks into the kitchen to get out the champagne bottle, to celebrate.

I open the package and look confused as I see a black cellphone. I open the card, which says in cursive: "I don't answer the phone, I get the feeling whenever I do that there will be someone on the other end."- Fred Couples.

"Apparently we love our cellphones but we hate everyone else's. Here's my favorite one to make up for your broken cell."

I look at the phone. An Iphone. Those kind of phones are expensive. I only had a simple phone so that II could be called in emergencies.  But  this. This thing can do anything. Check your emails, navigate you to some  places.

"He gives you a phone?" Patricia asks me confused.

I nodded, "Yes. My phone crashed to the ground yesterday. Totally wrecked."

"And he gives you a phone! AW. I bet it has his number already in it"

I shot a look at her, "of course it doesn't have  his number in it." I say and roll my eyes.

"You sure? Test it."

Sighing I switch on the phone and look at the address book. It does have his number. Under "Richard Christian Faulkerson Grey." That would be his full name. A name which totally suits the person. A name worth for him. "It does have his number in it." I say a little surprised. It's a different number than the one he gave  me on his business card. His private number. Why would he give me his private number? He rejected me! Not once, but twice! I don't understand him. I totally don't get him.

"I know you don't want to talk about him, Maine , but he likes you. He really likes  you."

The last couple of days I didn't spend second thinking of him. I mean, okay his brown eyes, which seem to change its intensity according to his mood, did follow me into my dreams and it would take a lot of time until I forget his arms around my waist and his smell. But why is he constantly pulling towards me, just so he can push me away again?

Sharpay hands me a glass of champagne, "To the end of the final exams and a good live in the city!"

  "To the end of the final exams and a good live in the city and good grades!"   I say smiling before each of us take a sip.

"You should thank him for the phone. Call him!"

"No. I will see him in two days anyway. He's going to hand us our diploma, Remember?"

"Right." You should call him anyways."

"I won't call him. He rejected me. He doesn't want  me. It's Done. Over."

"Oh, Maine..... You still have to learn about men."

"Surely nothing about Richard. I just want to celebrate. Nothing more and nothing less." I say before taking another sip of the champagne.

The bar was totally chaotic. It is filled with students, who just wrote their final exam. Student about to graduate in the next couple of days, but for now all they want is to celebrate like there's no tomorrow. Rico and Lee sit at a table with us. After the third shot of tequila and the second Martini, I can feel the alcohol in my body. Plus Patricia and I drank the whole bottle. Without eating. Bad Idea.

"So what are your plans now Maine?" Rico asks me, yelling over the music.

"Patricia and I will move to Manhattan City. Patricia's parents brought her Condo somewhere near the Central park." I explain, taking a sip of my Martini.

"We won't be able to see each other that often, who?" he ask me back.

I shrug, "We can still see each other  when we have Holidays."

"Will you guys come to my exhibit?" he asks casually, but I can see hi lips forming a huge smile.

"You're what? Rico that was amazing!" I say hugging him. "Of course we will come. There's no way we won't be there. When is it?"

"July 2nd. It's important to me that you're coming, Maine." he whisper into my ear. "Another Martini?"

"Rico Santos - Do you want me make me drunk? Because I think your strategy is working." I giggle, "But a beer would be a better choice."

"I'll get another beer as well." Patricia says. She was wearing a skinny jeans with high heels and a beautiful top. She looks amazing

I get up and everything's spinning. Ups. I grab a chair in order to not meet the ground. Martinis on a Tequila-basis were a bad choice. I walk over to the bar and decide to firstly go to the toilet, Good idea. I make my way through the dancing crowd and of course there is a huge queue in front of the Ladies bathroom. But at least it's a little cooler here.

I get out my Iphone and look the address book. Richard Christian Faulkerson Grey. Stupid him. Stupid him for rejecting me. I'm not used to getting rejected. And he...... Damn it. Why did he reject me?

Finally it's my turn and I walk into the cabin. Am I not good enough for him? Why is he pulling me towards him to push me apart? Why doesn't he want to kiss me? Am I not beautiful enough for him? Am I not his type ? But if I wasn't, why the hell did he want to drink coffee with me? Then I press the green button.

He picks up after the second ring. "Maine?"

"Why did you send me the Iphone?" I ask him, barely hiding the giggle.

"Is everything okay? You sound weird." he says worried.

"I am not weird. It's you  who's  weird." Well the alcohol  makes me wanna be brave.

"Maine, did you drink?"

"why the hell do you care?" I snapped at him.

" I am just....Curious. Where are you?"

"In a bar."

"In which?" he sounds angry.

"In a bar in New Haven."

"And how will you get home?"

"I'll find a way." Suddenly the conversation takes a turn I didn't want. I should be the one asking questions, not the other way.

"In which bar are you?"

"Why didn't you kiss me?" I ask him.

He pauses for a second. "Maine, where are you?"

"You are so...." I'm too drunk to categorized his behaviour.

"Damn it, Maine. Where the hell are you?" he curses. Richard Christian Faulkerson Grey and cursing! The name is way too long for him, I decide. I'm gonna call him Richard or Chris.

I giggle as a response.

"Maine, tell me where you are!"

"In New Haven.....Really far away from you."

"Where in New Haven?"

"Good night, Chris."

"Maine!"

But I hang up. Ha!! That's what he gets for rejecting me! I look at the inner door of the cabin and see a poster of a saver sex. I nod, I should show that to Patricia. She's the one with something like a lovelife. Last time I had that....Long time ago. I jump up as the phone vibrates in my hands. I can't see who is calling, all I see is a big blur. Damn it. I really am drunk. I decide to ignore the call, since I can't see the caller. I don't want to talk to my parents in a drunken state. That would be more than embarrassing.

I wash my hands and took at my reflection. My eyes are red, my vision is blurry and my breath...My breath surely smells horrible. No wonder Richard rejected me.

I make my way through the crown again, this time my legs  are all shaky. I order the beer at the bar and wait for eternity for it.

"Maine, where the hell have you been?" Patricia ask me as I place the beer on the table.

"Long queue in front of the Ladies room." I explain

She nods, looking at Rico and Lee. They are talking about some sport event. Lizzie a friend of ours walks over me.

"Are you girls having fun?"

"Maine Mendoza, are you drunk?"

I nod, "Yep. Pretty much. Mission accomplished." I say and giggle. I see Amanda, my colleauge passing me and grab her arm. " you are the most amazing woman in the world you know that right?"

Amanda looks at me confused. "Are you drunk?" she asks me before she looks at Patricia and Lizzie, "Guys, is she drunk?"

My best friend nods, "I couldn't keep her from drinking. We deserve to have some fun."

"She just wants to forget Richard."

"I am over him." I say in a drunken voice. "So over him! He... I'll prove it." I say confidently as I get up from the chair. I look around, searching for a single guy in the bar. Damn it. why are there only couples? I sigh and turn around. then I shrugg, " You should do the job." I say.

"He is gay." Lizzie states.

"I don't care! Here are only couples. How am I supposed to prove that I am over him when there are only couples in this bar?"

The three women smile at me, "Fine. You won." Amanda say grinning. "I'm gonna dance.

Anyone else?"

"Oh I'm so with you!" Patricia says getting up from the chair.

"I'm gonna go out, to get a little fresh air." I say to my best friend.

"You really can't drink a lot, Maine."

"I'll be back in five minutes."

She nodds at me I make my way through the crowd again. As soon as I reach the exit I take a deep breath, feeling the cool fresh air clashing against my hot face. I see everything doubles once everything has 'focused'. Being drunk is no fun. I lean against the cold wall of the bar, taking deep breaths. God, I'm gonna vomit.

"Maine, are you okay?" Rico is beside me.

I look at him and giggle, "Yes. I feel great. I think I drank too much."

"Me too." he says smiling

I return his smile and feel his arms around my waist seconds later., "Rico, what the hell are you up to?"

"Maine, please...." he whispers, pulling me closer to him. " You know I like you, Main. Please."  He free hand moves down my back. Oh boy. he wants to kiss me!

"Rico, no!" I say trying to free myself from his embrace. But he's stronger than me. His breath smells sweet like Margaritas. Panic overcomes me. "Rico, please!" I say still trying to free myself.

He doesn't listen to me. His mouth moves closer to mine.

"Rico, please." I beg him I don't want to kiss you. You're my friend and I'm gonna vomit.

He moves closer and I choke, Before I vomit in front of his shoes..

Rico jumps back "'What the......... Maine!"

I can't reply. I can't apologize. Instead I feel my stomach getting emptier with every second that passess.

"Oh God, Maine! Seriously, you can't drink any alcohol!" I hear a female voice beside me. Then I feel hands,holding up my hair before another pair of hands lead me to the flowerbed.

"In case you have you vomit again, do it here." That's Lizzie's Voice.

The flowerbed is in the  darkness and I thank God for it being in the darkness. Oh god, not again! I choke and vomit....And vomit....And vomit. I swear, I'm never gonna drink alcohol. Not again. With shaky legs I lean my body against his strong one. Vomiting so much at once is a lot if work. I feel weak. Very weak.

"I'll get you home, Maine." I hear Amanda's voice as she hands me a tissue.

I look around myself. Rico is gone. Instead Amanda and Lizzie are standing beside me. 

"I should go back inside and tell Patricia."  Lizzie says.

"I have a purse and a jacket. It's still at the bar."

"I"ll get it." Lizzie says smiling. "You should go home. You've had enough for one evening."

"Yeah, let's go." Amanda says to me as we start to walk to her car.

I don't response. God, I feel so embarrassed. I'm never going to drink again. Never again.

We'll that's all for now in this chapter. I hope you Love it!!!

"'Better in Time -

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