I stood from the brown couch, rubbing my eyes. I had slept on the couch. Grey was mad, and I had been stressed. It was a fight waiting to happen.
    Grey had already left for her job at the pharmacy. She was a secretary. Today, I was going to get my license, to practice psychology.
    I stood from the couch, I was dressed in last night’s clothes. I’d been at the bar, doing tequila shots. I was trying to numb my mind from pop-up questions.
    It had been a week since I left the asylum. Since I left Dr. Anozi. Grey had been a little mopey the past days. I suppose it was, because I had been ignoring her.
    I just hadn’t been able to look at her. I needed to leave her, before she drove me back to the institution. I was going to wait, though. I was going to she the state I was fit for the job. No matter what Grey’s father said, I’d be able to pro e them wrong with my work.
    I rose from the couch, standing up straight. My back popped, and I groaned. I wasn’t supposed to be having these issues yet, right?
    I glanced up at the clock; ten-thirty. I had to be at the college door eleven. There was no time for a shower. So, I ran upstairs, to my room. Everything brown, bed sheets, and all. I felt the color brown comforting, yet I despised it.
    I threw on some cologne, and put a little bit of moisturizer on my face. I couldn’t look as hung-over as I felt. I stopped door my dresser, to look in the mirror attached to the back.
My eyes were bloodshot. My hair ragged, and I had a five o’-clock shadow appearing at my jaw line. I was such a mess. To top, boven off my mess, the kraag of my overhemd, shirt was ripped, and I was missing a few buttons…Wait, where was my belt?
    I shook my head, no time for that. I changed my shirt, and went back downstairs. I locked the door, but before shutting it I checked the lock another three times. Feeling frustrated with myself, I didn’t have time to waste. I walked about a block and a half before hailing a cab.
    It was about ten-fifty when I arrived at the college. I paid the cabbie, and walked into the school. It was one of the smaller, private colleges, so the weren’t many people there.    
    “Damien!” exclaimed a woman from the main staircase. She was older, with grey hair, and brown eyes. She was slender, and tall.
    “Professor Davenport, how are you?” I asked the woman, crossing the tan carpet.
    “Very well, and you?” She strode down the deep brown staircase. Professor schrijfbureau, davenport stepped onto the carpet in front of me.
    “I’m alright,” I told a lie. I felt like shit, but she needn’t know. Professor schrijfbureau, davenport hugged me.
    “You’ve been drinking again, haven’t you?” She zei in my ear. I pulled back from her, my eyes darkened. My jaw clenched, a sign I wasn’t answering. “I know u have u don’t have to say anything. I do ask of you, though. Please, please pull yourself together before we meet with the rest of the staff.”
    “Okay,” I nodded, sighing. Professor schrijfbureau, davenport motioned me to follow her. We walked down the hall. The walls were wooden, so were the floors. The college had a homely smell to it. At least this wing did. We walked in silence until we reached an old-time door. It looked like something from the 1800s.
    “Are u ready?” she asked me, her bony hand on the door handle. I nodded, and Professor schrijfbureau, davenport opened the door. The inside revealed the board, and a few other professors. They were all sitting at a large, round table. The tafel, tabel was brown, the same shade as the deep brown walls.
    “Damien, take a seat,” zei an older man near the head of the table. I nervously stepped toward one of the two empty chairs opposite the older man. I pulled back the wooden chair, and sat down. Professor schrijfbureau, davenport sat beside me.
    “So, u think you’re ready to be a psychologist?” asked Professor McGee. He was a stern man. His features were hard, from his brown eyes, to definite nose, to his balding head.
    “No, I don’t think I am, I know I am,” I said. Most of the people on the board didn’t really know me, so I had to toon them I could be stern-that I wouldn’t break easily. For, this isn’t a job for the tender hearted.
    “What makes u so sure?” quizzed a board member.
    “I have had personal experience with patients, and institutions, not many of your new psychologists do. Also, I have had some of the disorders I will be treating. When the patient explains, I’ll be able to relate on a deeper level,” I said. All of that was true.
    “Do u think u are capable of treating people with diseases u have yet to overcome yourself?” asked another board member. I was pretty sure that was one of Grey’s father’s friends.
    “Yes, I am perfectly capable. Although, I cannot overcome the diseases, I know the proper treatment methods. I can perform them efficiently,” this questionnaire wasn’t as near as bad as mine, and Dr. Anozi’s case, where vragen came door the hundreds.
    “Are u in full control of your disorders now?” asked Professor Jones. I’d never studied with her, but I’d heard she was fierce.
    “Yes, but I do not see your business in asking that question. u should be able to tell if I am, of not door paying attention to me,” people were fools.
    “Frankly, I thought u look like hell, and act stoned. I don’t believe my calculation would be accurate,” It’s official, I do not like Professor Jones.
    “Well, if u have any vraag now, please feel free to contact Dr. Laveney,” I said. I wanted to leave the room. I was somewhat embarrassed door thinking of Dr. Laveney. I stayed, though. For, I wanted my license.
    “I believe I will,” zei Professor Jones.
    “Now, may I receive my license?” I was becoming frustrated door the questions.
    “From the research you’ve gathered, and the experience you’ve had, I believe it would be idiotic not to give it to you,” zei the head board member. I believe his name was Dr. Ashner.
    “Thank you,” I zei as he handed me a certificate. It had my name printed in black; in front of my name was the title, doctor. I’d been waiting, studying for this for years. It was finally here, but it wasn’t as special as it would’ve been only a few months ago. For, I felt…different. Grey and I had grown apart. Also, I’d been dying to see Alexander. He was the one person who would understand.
    I stood from my chair, and walked out of the room.