ZARA

"Creativity is the monster that resides in our concious subconscious. It is what drives us to make up the fantastical." Professor Rodgers explains, his hands flying eccentrically over his head, just as the lecture comes to an end.

Zara's head is throbbing. She feels sick. Her phone has been ringing off the hook, each one of her parents alternatingly, to complain about the other spouse. She is sick and tired of their lunacy, their irresponsibility and their constant fighting.

Laura has been floating around in a bubble of her own lately. Zara is happy for her friend, that is a given. But she can't stand her constant firecracker happiness. It's driving her insane.

Zara has spent all week in the library, catching up on her work, drowning the grief. Nothing has quite helped. Except the alcohol. Oh yes the alcohol has helped. It makes her feel terrible the next day, but it succeeds in numbing her mind. She hears from a classmate that there's a party in the boys' residential halls tonight. It's Friday after all.

Laura is going home for the weekend, to start planning her wedding. That means that Zara will be alone again. Which also means that Zara's plan is set for the night.

She returns to the room at five o'clock to find Laura packing a duffel bag. "Why don't you come home with me?" She asks earnestly. "I still feel guilty leaving you all by yourself last weekend."

"Don't worry, I'm alright." Zara replies, kicking off her shoes and sitting on Laura's bed.

"I want you to come with me, Zara."

"Okay, Veruca Salt," Zara rolls her eyes good naturedly making Laura smile.

"Okay okay, i get it, you're okay."

"Now that's the spirit!"

Laura's phone rings. "Right, that's the taxi, I'm off." She gives Zara a kiss on the cheek and rushes out. "Don't do anything i wouldn't," she calls.

"I'll try, but i can't promise anything." Zara calls back, sighing.

Now it's Friday.