Clearly remembering where he was, Kristian looked around worriedly. “S-sorry, everyone. I’m going.” He left the room to a few mumbles of “just go, already” and “yeah, yeah”.

Ryan slumped back onto his bed and retrieved his own phone. He looked at the time. Seven-thirty a.m. No fucking wonder he was still so tired. Who the hell was ringing Kristian at this time of the morning?

Shrugging, he logged on to the free WiFi the hostel provided and began checking his emails to pass the time until Kristian got back. Despite the early hour and the pitifully few hours of sleep, he knew he wouldn’t be able to get back to sleep now.

A little while later, Ryan heard the door open. Then, “Ryan.”

Something in the tone of Kristian’s voice snapped Ryan to attention. Frowning, he got up and walked out the door before shutting it carefully behind him. His friend was as white as a sheet, except for the redness around his eyes. Just as he was about to make a snarky comment about a killer hangover, Kristian blurted out, “Mate, I’ve gotta go home. That was my sister on the phone. Dad’s had a heart attack and been rushed to hospital.”

Rolling out of bed and shambling toward his friend’s, Ryan resisted the temptation to punch him. It wasn’t Kristian’s fault his phone was ringing, after all. Though the twat could have put it on silent before bed like most normal people. Sniggering, Ryan realized Kristian had been too drunk to fully undress, let alone operate his phone. He shook him awake while trying to find the offending mobile in the tangle of Kristian’s sheets. He found it and as soon as Kristian sat up he shoved it into his hand.

“Wh-who is it?” Kristian asked dopily, peering at the screen.

“I don’t know,” Ryan whispered, “just answer it and get outside—the noise is disturbing everyone else.”